Joe Fenton, ’19

What made you want to study abroad?

I thought studying abroad would be an amazing experience. I have never been to Europe before this and it is a continent that has always interested me. Compared to the States, the culture and history here is so different.

What do you like most about your classes at Temple University Rome?

The best thing about the classes at Temple University Rome are the off-site excursions with the professors. The ability to experience Rome and Italy with someone knowledgeable really enriches your experience. It gives you access to parts of Rome that English speakers and foreigners may miss out on or would find quite difficult to see.

What are you most excited to learn about while abroad?

I love seeing how much the cultures vary throughout Europe. It’s crazy that you can drive or fly a few hours and be in an entirely new country with different mannerisms, culture, food and language.

What do you hope to get out of this experience and how will it help you with your professional goals?

As a business student, I think the opportunity to experience a variety of cultures will definitely help me with my professional goals. A huge factor in the business world is being able to understand different cultures, including how they operate so I believe my time studying abroad will certainly contribute to and expand upon my international experience.

What is the coolest thing that you’ve done so far while abroad?

I took a trip to Cairo, Egypt last week. Northern Africa is amazing, with such a diverse environment compared to previous countries I’ve been. My favorite part of the trip was seeing the pyramids, which has always been a dream of mine. Pictures simply do not do it justice.

What would you like to accomplish by the end of the semester here in Rome?

Ideally, I would love to be at least somewhat conversational in Italian.

What advice would you give to students thinking about attending Temple University Rome in the future?

Be prepared for a little bit of a culture shock. At first, it may seem a bit daunting navigating the city as you only hear Italian. However, you’ll soon see the similarities that we share in the States with Rome, which makes your time here all the more worthwhile.