Alyson Ferrari – Chemical Engineering
Everyone has their own reason for choosing to study abroad. My reason was to be
immersed in the culture, which meant I wanted to go to areas that weren’t as well traveled. I
challenged myself to speak to locals in their native tongue, and I even studied for a time at a
nearby language school to build my conversational skills. This was not the motivation for any
one else on my trip, and I learned that rather quickly.
I found it a bit difficult to find people who would want to go on the trips I wanted and
when I wanted. It also meant that I was oftentimes separate from the group so that I could get
the experience that I have been dreaming of since I was in the seventh grade. That was rather
nerve-wracking, especially at the beginning. However, you have to remember when you’re
abroad that you came all that way for a reason, and you don’t want to come back feeling like
you didn’t make the most of your time over there. So, learning how to put yourself first and
realize that if you want something to happen you are going to have to make it happen, may just
be a challenge you will also have to overcome while abroad. Here’s how I did it and some of my
tips and tricks to remain safe while traveling through Italy.
First and foremost, I learned how to use the trains. Download the trenitalia app, get
familiar with it, and link your card through Apple Pay or something similar. This app allowed me
to look through all of the regional and high speed trains across the country, find their schedules
as well as track their status. I had several experiences in Rome where my train got delayed, and
this app allowed me to check where the train was, how much longer it would be and if it was
worth transferring my ticket. It’s also super helpful when there is a cancellation and you need to
find another option in a pinch. With that said, regional trains will be cheaper, but a lot slower. If
you are going to places that are further away such as Rome from Florence it really is worth the
extra money to make it there within 2 ½ hours rather than 5.
When it comes to finding things to do, take to Tik Tok or Instagram or whatever else you
use, because 9 times out of 10 there will be recommendations for the area on attractions to see
and places to eat. For me, I enjoyed walking around a bit, reading menus and then deciding
where I wanted to eat based on what I saw. But if you like having a plan, social media will be
your best friend. Also, I highly recommend using it to look up local street markets because you
can grab some of the coolest finds for rather cheap at those little vendors.
When it comes to safety, words cannot express how important it is to have access to
data so that you can call someone and use your Maps to get you from point A to point B. Maps
was my most used app, while I was abroad. I used it to get everywhere and losing access to
that would have prevented me from doing half of the traveling I did. That also means bringing a
portable charger. I will say it again, bring a portable charger! There was one night where I was
coming back from a trip and my phone was at 6% with a 1 ½ train ride ahead of me, which was
nothing less than scary. Thankfully, some nice travelers offered me a charging bank while I was
on the train, but I never went out of the house without one again after that. So keep your data
on, your phone charged and also make sure that it is thief proof because there are a lot of pick
pocketers in Italy. I used a cross body bag that I kept everything in, and when in really crowded
areas or the train station I would keep my arm over it for extra protection. Do not put your phone
in your back pocket if you want to see it again! I also recommend carrying with you some
sunscreen, cash, a snack, water and tissues. Italian allergies are not for the weak, believe me.
Most importantly, don’t be afraid to get up and do it. On my last Sunday in Florence, my
roommates wanted to stay in the city and do some local activities, while I really wanted to see
Cinque Terre, a state park that consists of 5 cities along the northern coast that have hiking
trails connecting them. Instead of giving up on that dream, I got up, booked myself a train,
gathered water and snacks and headed out. I was able to buy a day pass that allowed me to
take the trains and hiking trails freely. I had one of the most calming and beautiful hikes of my
life, taking my time through the magnificent views and not feeling pressured by other people to
keep going when I just wanted to take it in. It was liberating and one of my best memories in
Italy, which I would have never have had had I not taken the initiative and gotten over the jitters
of doing something on my own
Swanson School of Engineering 