The Spring Hill College Italy Center partners with other Jesuit institutions to offer students an immersive study abroad experience in Bologna, Italy. The program is rooted in social and environmental justice, as well as teaching students how to be sustainable travelers. Bologna is one of Europe’s oldest university cities, which provides students with the opportunity to experience the city’s rich history and culture.
Seniors Kylie Doherty and Jack Murrihy studied at the Spring Hill College Italy Center in the fall semester of 2023 and shared many similarities in their day-to-day lives while living in Bologna, as well as what they took away from their time there.
Doherty and Murrihy reflected on their experiences in Bologna and how they enriched their education. They both described walking or biking to campus each morning and perhaps stopping for a cappuccino with their friends at the cafe just outside of the campus. After classes, they would walk the city with their friends exploring new restaurants, bars, piazzas, and shops. Their day-to-day lives always differed in Bologna, but they always made time to explore what the city had to offer.
Murrihy expressed that his favorite class was Italian, which he noted fulfilled both of his language credits in just one semester. Murrihy stated, “Learning Italian in Italy was a very immersive experience, and the teacher Claudia was very engaging.” Doherty’s favorite class while abroad was her Business Communications class. Doherty explained that, “The classes focused a lot on the immersion aspect of being in Italy and understanding the international market.”
Doherty traveled to twenty-seven cities and fourteen countries while in Italy, with her favorite being Copenhagen, Denmark. This lively city also happened to be Jack’s favorite place he visited after traveling to eight different countries. They both explained that the transit system in Europe made it extremely convenient to travel, and when they did fly, they used RyanAir which Kylie claimed was “meant for students because of how cheap it was.”
Both students talked about the social justice theme embedded into the program at the Spring Hill College Italy Center. This philosophy introduces students to social justice issues, such as migration and the effects of organized crime, in Italy and includes two trips in which students work with migrants and activists to broaden their knowledge of the social justice issues happening outside of America. Murrihy stated, “It was very eye opening, and I felt a lot more mindful about the way I traveled. Throughout the experience, I was less focused on seeing the touristy attractions and more focused on embracing myself within the culture around Europe.” Kylie noted that it was interesting to see the social justice issues that Italians face.
Sam Farvre, assistant director of the Spring Hill College Italy Center, returned to campus last semester after spending seven years in Bologna. He explained that he is proud of the program to which he has dedicated so much of his life. He noted that he is proudest of the program’s focus on social justice, educating students on being intentional with their presence in Italy, and getting students to focus on local communities.
Favre explained that the best way to sign up for the program is through the application on the website or by coming to see him in his office in LAC 280. Favre expressed that financial reasons should not deter students from joining the program and that there are many options he is willing to talk through with students.
Doherty and Murrihy are both willing to answer any questions that students may have based on their own experiences. Favre is also willing to answer any questions for students via email. Contact them at [email protected].edu, [email protected], and [email protected].
