Speech Communication Students Explore Italy

My name is Amber Rickman and I got the amazing opportunity to study abroad this summer in Italy as a proud Speech Communication major. My knowledge as a Speech Communication major helped give me an advantage while I was in Italy. Being thousands of miles away from home and hardly knowing anyone that’s with you, will definitely give you a crash course in interpersonal communication as well as cross cultural communications for the obvious reason of us being in a foreign country. My cross cultural class definitely helped me be patient knowing that I was going to encounter people whom I would have a language barrier with. My favorite part of the trip was getting to experience Italian culture through the cuisine and it was incredible!! There were some definite culture shock moments for me! The biggest shock was having to experience co-ed bathrooms for the first time (definitely weird for me). It was also a humbling experience learning that as a culture, Italians value beauty over convenience and material possessions. Overall Italy was a tremendous experience that will not soon be forgotten and for any wishing to venture abroad (particularly in Europe), don’t forget to bring some change so you can use the bathroom. Ciao!!!!

Amber Rickman visits Florence, Italy.
Amber Rickman visits Florence, Italy.