Eastern Student Rachel Berkowsky of Stoughton Studies Abroad in Italy

2017 Nov 7

This past summer, Eastern Connecticut State University student Rachel Berkowsky '18 of Stoughton studied abroad in Florence, Italy, where she attended Florence University of the Arts (FUA). Berkowsky's major is Sport & Leisure Management.

The class she took during her study abroad experience was "Health and Fitness in the Mediterranean." Each day, she took a field trip into the city of Florence. Some of the field trips included power walking and biking through the city, canoeing down the Arno River, two cooking labs where she made pasta and sauce by hand, and visiting the training facilities for the Italian national soccer team.

Through this exposure to Italian culture, Berkowsky noted some components that differ from the United States, such as lifestyle pace, family relations and work ethic. In addition to observing that "no one was ever in a rush to get to their destination," she commented that "big family gatherings are a huge aspect of life for many Italians."

Berkowsky was ultimately able to take away the importance of studying abroad and becoming introduced to unfamiliar cultures as a whole. "As an adult, you're going to come in contact with people from all different cultures and countries," she said. "Studying abroad and learning about other cultures is a great way to be introduced to people that have had a different upbringing than your own."