By Benjamin Kirk and Conor Youhei Hustedde
In the realm of educational practices, studying abroad stands out as a transformative experience. It goes beyond earning credits in foreign lands; it’s an immersive journey that profoundly shapes students. Studying abroad is a high-impact educational opportunity that reconstructs students’ understanding of society and the world community while enlightening their understanding of themselves and aspects of their identities. While these programs were put on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic, Fresno State students were recently able to re-engage in these opportunities.
“From an educator’s perspective, it is perhaps most important to note that this experience is neither a vacation nor a tour—that would be a disservice to the students,” Dr. Kristi Eastin, Professor of Classics and Humanities. “Rather, study abroad is a philosophical and educational journey that is difficult, that begins early each morning and concludes late each day, completely exhausted, always challenging everyone to learn and think deeply about every single experience of every day.”
Over the summer, faculty in the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures (MCLL), in partnership with the Division of Continuing and Global Education, led several study abroad programs, taking dozens of students to cities in Spain and Italy. Students said the experiences brought color and life to their learning as they were immersed in culture.
Two MCLL faculty members led three programs in Italy over the summer. Dr. Kristi Eastin led students on a trip to Rome, a city that serves as an open-air classroom filled with history and art. The course fulfilled the upper-division GE IC requirement (HUM 110: The Humanities of Republican and Imperial Rome).
“The ripples that emanate from study abroad are impossible to exaggerate,” said Eastin. “This three-week adventure brings the ancient, medieval, and Renaissance worlds–the history, philosophy, literature, and art–to life in a way that I cannot possibly achieve in the classroom. But it is also so much more. Students who have never boarded a plane, perhaps have never left Fresno County, now meet to discuss where their passport will take them next. They understand that the world is so much bigger than they ever imagined, and now they understand that they are legitimate and capable participants in this vastness.”
The educational journey included excursions to Naples, Pompeii, Paestum, Florence, Siena, and the medieval city of San Gimignano, making it a comprehensive exploration of Italy’s rich history and culture.
Associate Professor of Italian Studies, Dr. Andrea Polegato, led two study abroad trips in Italy In July. The first two weeks were spent in Florence, Italy for the “Made in Italy” course. In the heart of Italy’s cultural hub, students embarked on a multidisciplinary journey through the essence of Italian culture and economics. Students spent their time exploring food culture, art, music, fashion, hospitality and agriculture while enjoying the multifaceted aspects of the Tuscan city. The program was predominantly taught in English, requiring no prerequisites and offered zero-cost course materials.
In the second half of July, Polegato led the Salerno program, which offered an immersive Italian experience. Students delved into Italian language coursework and were introduced to the warm culture of Italy through group activities, excursions and field trips.
“Beyond acquiring academic knowledge, students experienced significant personal growth. Interacting with Italian culture and navigating its environment fostered resilience and adaptability in students, enriching their perspectives and broadening their worldviews,” Polegato said. “The real-world experiences they encountered complemented their classroom learning, enriching their understanding of global dynamics and enhancing their cross-cultural competencies.”
Two faculty members, Associate Professor María Dolores Morillo and Professor Isolina Sands, led trips to Seville and Málaga, Spain, respectively. In the stunning coastal town of Málaga, students discovered Mediterranean wonders.
“As I was speaking with instructors at the school we attended and as we were being lead around the different places in Málaga, it made me realize that we as a people are more similar than the world would lead us to believe,” said Juanita Marple-Heffner, MCJ Film and Media Arts major. “We all want collaboration and peace. We all want to be able to live the life we want to live. We all want to help others achieve their goals and dreams.”
Mornings were dedicated to Spanish classes, while afternoons were filled with exploration, local attractions, and sunny beach days. The program also included two-weekend trips to Granada and the resort town of Nerja.
“My favorite memory of the trip was visiting all the palaces, caves and ancient ruins. It was a wonderful experience to learn about the ancient history of Spain and how proud these people are in preserving the past, whether it be good or bad,” Marple said.
These study abroad programs at Fresno State provide a pedagogy that profoundly impacts students, promoting personal, academic and professional growth. It fosters cultural understanding, language proficiency and global awareness, equipping students with valuable skills and perspectives that will serve them well throughout their lives.
Many scholarship opportunities are available for students wanting to study abroad in Italy, including the Silvana and Michael Giovannetti Family Scholarship, Cardella and Della Maggiora Scholarship and the Antonio and Louise Petrosino Family Italian Studies Scholarship. In addition, for students of Latin or Greek, the McClatchy scholarship provides study abroad funds. You can support our faculty-led study abroad courses by giving to the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures language programs on Day of Giving.
“It can be intimidating to travel to another part of the world where you have no idea what it would be like,” Marple-Heffner added. “All I can tell you is it is worth it. I invite other students to come and travel abroad. Meet other people of the human race and see how similar we are. You will see that as we strive to respect our differences but also uplift one another, we will find joy and peace in this world.”
Professor Eastin concluded, “Study abroad opens doorways into new and exciting insights and appreciations, thresholds that once crossed can never be uncrossed.”
If you’re considering a study abroad program, embrace the transformative journey that awaits—an adventure of learning and self-discovery. For more information, visit the Study Abroad Portal.
——
Chat GPT contributed to this story.
The College of Arts and Humanities at Fresno State 