Denisse Solis

Denisse Solis

As a History major, I have always been interested in Europe. Although I never had a specific place in mind, I found the study abroad program to Genoa to fulfill all the qualities I wanted and needed in a study abroad program. It would not only help my academic career but also allow me to live in a city where I can get a firsthand look at what I have been studying in my early modern courses and in some art history courses. I am both a History and Art History major and want to pursue Museum studies and so the group project allowed me to get a closer look at how they preserve their items, what exactly the museum staff does and how they acquire their pieces. The classes focused on comparing the United States and Italy in the 1920’s and 30 using the museum collection in both the Wolfsonian and Wolfsoniana. Professor Fasche and Cavalieri in Italy were very helpful and knowledgeable. We also had an Italian language course which was always fun and we learned enough to communicate with other Genovese. Both of our professors became not only our instructors but also our guides to the city and helped us approach and understand cultural differences. Personally, I will never forget the experience or the apartment I lived in and the medieval streets I walked on. I come across it constantly in my studies. Studying abroad not only allowed me to travel and become independent but also established my love for History and compare how the Italians view the United States. I think every History major should participate in this program or a program like this because it is essential in understanding History. It has been one of the best college experiences and I feel very grateful to have been a participant.