After taking the opportunity to study abroad once, I have spent a lot of time thinking about where I would go if I had the chance to do it again. My first experience taught me how much you can grow by stepping outside of your routine academically, socially, and personally.
Ultimately, if I were to go abroad again, I would choose Italy. The mix of history, culture, science, and everyday life makes it feel like the perfect place to learn both inside and outside the classroom. From the food to the academic opportunities to the diversity of cities, Italy offers a balance that would allow me to experience something new while continuing to build on what I learned during my first time abroad.
The Food Experience
One of the biggest reasons I would choose Italy is the food and the culture surrounding it. During my first study abroad experience, I realized that food is more than just something you eat: It is a way to connect with people and understand a place.
Italy is known for its strong food culture, where meals are slower, more intentional, and often shared with others. The cuisine is so much more than what we usually see in the United States, with every region having its own specialties, ingredients, and traditions. At home, I do say that my favorite cuisine is Italian, so it would be interesting to put that to the test in Italy itself!
I would like to experience authentic dishes in places like Rome, Florence, and Naples, from fresh pasta made daily to Neapolitan pizza cooked in traditional ovens. Food in Italy is not just about eating; it’s about slowing down, connecting with people, and appreciating quality.
Being able to experience that lifestyle firsthand would make everyday life abroad feel meaningful and memorable. I would like to try new restaurants with people I meet abroad, as well as local food markets, bakeries, coffee shops, etc. The process of getting to a restaurant together, sitting down, ordering food, and laughing once we are all full is one of the most memorable parts of being abroad.
Expanding My Academic Experience
Having already studied abroad once, I now better understand how different learning can feel in another country. If I went abroad again, I would want to take full advantage of the academic opportunities in Italy, which is in the top tier of European nations for educational quality.
Studying abroad would allow me to learn in a different educational environment while still focusing on my major. As a biology student, I think it would be interesting to connect what I learn in class to real-world situations, and Italy’s impressive biotechnology program is something that I am drawn to.
Italy would allow me to explore ideas about public health and lifestyle habits in a more applied way. For example, I could learn about the Mediterranean diet while actually living in a place where it is part of everyday life. I have heard a lot in the U.S. about people trying the Mediterranean diet, but it would be interesting to see how Italian citizens actually follow it. Being able to connect what I learn in class to what I observe in daily life would make the experience more meaningful and help me better understand the material.
In addition, going abroad a second time would allow me to approach academics with more confidence. I would already know how to adapt to a new system, manage my time, and balance travel with school. This would help me focus more on learning and less on adjusting, making the overall experience more productive. I would be able to explore more of the country, having prior knowledge of what to typically expect when going into the study abroad experience.
Different Italian Cities
Another reason I would choose Italy is the opportunity to visit multiple cities that each offer something unique. One of the things I appreciated most about studying abroad the first time was the ability to perceive how different places can feel, even within the same country. Italy is perfect for that because of its diverse cities.
In Milan, the luxury shopping city, I would experience a more modern, fast-paced environment that contrasts with other parts of the country. In Venice, the sinking city, I would see a completely different structure of daily life, marked by canals instead of streets. In Rome, the eternal city, I would be surrounded by history in a way that feels very present in everyday life. While these are my top three Italian cities to visit as of now, I am sure that after actually going to Italy, I would learn of other beautiful, lesser-known cities that would 100% be worth a visit.
Being able to move between these cities would not only be exciting but also help me understand how the environment shapes lifestyle, culture, and perspectives. Since I have already studied abroad once, I think I would be more intentional about exploring, taking more time to slow down and value where I am in the present to notice differences between locations, reflect on my experiences, and learn from each place I visit.
Final Thoughts
Going abroad again would be a very different experience from the first time. The first time, in Spain, everything felt new and sometimes overwhelming, even with a group of UT students.
If I went again, I would approach it with more confidence and intention. I would be more open to meeting new people, trying unfamiliar things, and stepping outside of my comfort zone even more. I would also be more mindful about how I spend my time balancing travel, academics, and personal growth. Instead of just reacting to new experiences, I would try to actively learn from them and reflect on how they shape my perspective.
Studying abroad once showed me how impactful it can be, and it made me realize that there is still so much more to experience. If I had the chance to go abroad again, I would choose Italy because it offers a strong combination of culture, academics, and exploration.
It would give me the opportunity to continue growing while experiencing a new environment more intentionally. More than anything, it would allow me to build on what I learned the first time and make the most of a second chance to explore the world.
This blog was contributed by Kripa Kohli, Peer Mentor for Spring 2026. Kripa is a junior biology major in the College of Natural Sciences participating in the Peer Mentors program. Kripa studied abroad in Seville, Spain, with the Evolution: An International and Cultural Perspective program in Summer 2025.
