Major: Art BFA and French
Hometown: State College, PA

How did you learn about this opportunity?

I found out about this study abroad program through the Arts and Architecture School at Penn State. A representative from SACI also came to talk to students about the school and its opportunities.

Tell us a little bit about your experience.

SACI is situated in the heart of Florence and therefore is surrounded by art and history. It is a perfect school for students to attend if they are interested in art history and traditional art-making techniques. Even though I'm interested in more contemporary art, this program has still been beneficial to me. My classes are interesting without being too intensive, and I have been able to travel around Europe during these last few months. I feel like I've learned a lot about myself just by traveling around!

 I feel like I've learned a lot about myself just by traveling around!

How did this experience impact you academically?

I have been exposed to new areas of study that I might not have had access to at Penn State. I am taking an Installation and Performance Art class that has greatly broadened my horizons art-wise, and my Contemporary Art Theory class has exposed me to philosophical texts concerning art.

What are your career goals and plans?  How did this experience impact them?

I would like to go on to graduate school to study Fine Arts, and I would like to pursue my career as an artist and a professor at a University. Going to SACI has shown me to be careful about choosing an art school that focuses on the areas that I am interested in. While SACI has some opportunities to explore the contemporary art world, it is mainly a school interested in traditional art-making techniques; as I look into applying to graduate schools, I will keep this lesson in mind.

Would you recommend this experience to other Liberal Arts students?

If Liberal Arts students are interested in fulfilling art requirements this is a great place to go. SACI has a few classes that are not studio-art based, like Creative Writing, Art History, and Italian classes.