Spent the last semester of college in Rome? One of the best decisions I’ve made.
My name is Skyler, and I recently graduated with the Class of 2025 with a B.A. in Communication & Philosophy, Politics and Economics. Today, I’ll be chatting about what it’s like to study abroad as a senior in their final semester!
First, some context: Due to my double major and health reasons, I completed my undergraduate coursework in five years instead of four. My tuition covered a certain number of units, so I had the option to take the extra time. Even if you plan on finishing within four years, I believe this is still relevant for any seniors who are considering applying!
Maybe like yourself, I was a bit weary about this decision. “Do I really want to spend my last semester not on campus? What if I’m missing out?” These were some thoughts circulating through my head the semester prior when applying. In the end, I feel like I would’ve missed out by not going abroad.
That thing called “senioritis?” It’s real. So why not take intellectually stimulating classes that also give you the time to travel? I took the remainder of my upper-division Communication requirements in Rome, and the classes were nothing short of fun, interesting, inspiring, thought-provoking, and taught by professors who understood that going to other cities or countries over the weekend was part of the experience abroad! I felt like I truly came to understand the city I was living in through my coursework, going deeper into the lasagna (layers) of Rome, while learning some Italian along the way.
I didn’t know the majority of the people in my cohort, but it was wonderful practice for getting out of my comfort zone. It took some time, but I formed friendships with my roommates (I absolutely loved my living situation) and discovered the people I travel really well with! Turns out, I was not the only one meeting these peers for the first time – there were several others who only knew one person or none at all coming into the program, so being a senior didn’t make a difference when it came to making friends.
Speaking of friends, I did have one with me, who was also a senior! Justin and I talked about studying abroad a couple semesters prior and both applied to the Rome program. When we got in, we were overjoyed, but didn’t quite know just how incredible of an experience it would be. Our friendship flourished, and it was really helpful to have a pre-established connection with someone I could lean on. So, if you have a friend in your year who is also considering studying abroad, take that leap of faith together!
Now for some logistical considerations. As many of you know, that summer internship following junior year is super important, especially when it has the possibility of a full-time return offer post-grad. That was the case for me, and I got my return literally one day before the program began. This meant I didn’t have to recruit while abroad, which lifted a huge weight off my shoulders. I had friends who were interviewing for internships in the middle of the night due to time zones, so it can definitely be helpful to be a senior when is comes to having your job or internship figured out.
And yes, the program ended about a week before commencement, so I had time to fly home and walk! Coming back after spending four months in Rome and then immediately graduating was such a surreal experience, one I’ll remember forever.
As I’ve been reflecting on this once-in-a-lifetime experience, one of the biggest takeaways from studying abroad as a senior is that I feel much more prepared for post-grad life. I always knew I wanted to travel the world and learn about different cultures, languages, cuisines, and history, but wasn’t quite sure when I would have the time to do it. Of course, there is still much left to be explored, but I feel like I significantly expanded my worldview by traveling throughout Europe. I wasn’t left with the “what if?,” but instead satisfied the adventurer in me while reinforcing how much I want to continue making travel a priority.
More tangibly, I am ready for life after college because being abroad revealed that I am much more capable than I imagined. I am capable of living away from home, navigating any airport I’m in, figuring out public transportation in different countries, meeting and interacting with new people, enjoying my own company, forming new friendships while maintaining old ones, traveling over the weekends while still getting good grades, learning a new language, and being open to life’s surprises.
So, take that leap of faith! Don’t be concerned with the “normal” timeline. Strive to live without “what if’s.” Because Rome, London, Sydney, Hong Kong – the world – awaits you.