destination

fall 14

everywhere

A college students guide to studying abroad in

Learn the
best ways
to conquer
three
cities in
three days!

Italy

pack your bags

NORTHFACE
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Destination Everywhere
Dana Gleason

Editorial Director

Style Market Director: George Bush

Managing Editor: Tia Crowley
Design Director: Jacob Falbo
Art Director: Carrie Underwood
Photo Director: Elton John
Executive Editor: Meryl Streep
Address:
19539 Regent Drive
Chicago, IL 60439
Phone Number:
(312) 555-9731

Publishing by:

Price per quarter:

$8.00
Annual price:
$22.00

DESTINATION EVERYWHERE Fall 2014

Table of contents:

This issues How To takes you through how

to discuss studying abroad in Italy during a
job interview. Find out the best ways to describe your trip as well as tips for acing tricky
questions!

11

Three cities in three days! Learn all about the

best ways to travel around Italy in three days,
one city per day. Find out the best spots to hit
and how to make the tough decisions while
traveling with friends.

14

This issues Course Catalog takes you through

the four courses we recommend for any college
student traveling to Italy!

4 DESTINATION EVERYWHERE Fall 2014

Editors Letter
E

ver since
I was little, my
mother would
always tell me to
do it anyways.
Like, Mom, I dont
want to go to
band practice, my
friends are going
to the park instead. She would
simply respond
Do it anyways.
And that is my
advice to you, my
reader,
today.
One thing
I learned
while I was studying abroad was how to
be alone. I was never truly alone until I
left my comfort zone, sure there were
times no one was around but I always
knew I had someone to take care of me
if I ever got into trouble. Once I stepped
foot off that plane though, it was all up to me. I
was in charge my own life for the first time ever.
I couldnt call my mom and dad at the blink of an
eye and have them rush to my side.
Having independence is scary. There is no other
way to describe it. You think there is no way you

can make it through on your own, but somehow

you manage. I realized early on during my travels
that being alone is not only rewarding, its empowering.
As with each issue, I try to make Destination
Everywhere as realistic and relatable to college
students as I possibly can. I want students that
are considering studying abroad to feel empowered and encouraged after reading each issue,
but especially this issue, as Italy was my first
study abroad experience while in college. Italy
has so much to offer college students and really
allows students the chance to find our who they
are outside of school work and friends. Explore,
embrace, empower.
My advice, if youre debating studying abroad
becuase youre afriad to be alone or you dont
know anyone else doing it, do
it anyways. Consequences be
damned. Ask yourself when
else in your lifetime you are
going to have this opportunity, to travel the world with
only yourself to consider. Its
your job as a college student
to find out now who you are,
where you want to go in life, and how you want
to get there, and I believe that studying abroad
can help you find those answers.

Traveling is the
only thing you
buy that makes
you richer
-unknown

Me and classmates on the island of Capri off the

southern coast of Italy in April 2013.

Thanks for reading,

Dana Gleason, Editorial Director

Me and five girlfriends in masquerade mask during

Carnivale while in Venice, Italy in February 2013.

DESTINATION EVERYWHERE Fall 2014

how to... discuss studying abroad in

Italy during a job interview

The topic of studying abroad will work its

way into discussions once you return, and
interviews are no different. once interviewers
see on your resume that you have studied
abroad, they will inevitably ask you where
you studied and how you liked living there.
Dont panic because here are some tips to
help direct the conversation down a positive
path when you reach the topic.
Learn to embrace the conversation:
This is a one part of the interview you know
you dont have to make up, you were there,
you lived it. Be yourself, talk openly about
the sites you visited and the events you
experienced first hand. Chances are you
will discuss study abroad with everyone and
their mother when you return, your interview
should be no different. This is something
that will set you apart from other candidates

up for the same position, let your guard

down and be yourself.
Ask your interviewer about their travels:
Once people have experienced traveling,
they love to talk about it. Dont be afraid to
ask them where they have been or palces
they would like to someday visit. If they havent visited Italy, maybe they have been to
other places in Europe.
Discuss the cultural divide:
Having traveled abroad, no matter where it
was, means that you broke through cultural barrierers, which allows them to see how
accepting and adaptable you can be. No
one likes change, but with people like you
around, transitions can be easier.

DESTINATION EVERYWHERE Fall 2014

New respect for other walks of life:

Living outside the United States for an extended period of time, you were able to
see how differently the world functions and
operates, and not only did you see it, you
experienced it. Discuss the day-to-day differences that took place in Italy compared to
the daily lives of Americans and take about
the new found appreciatation you now have
for different nationalities.
Willing to relocate:
Only discuss this topic if its true, but chances are that once you study abroad, you will
get the travel bug, we promsie you its an
actual thing; the ache to see the world and
experience new things. If, and only if, you
are certain you would be comfortable traveling or even moving to a new location for a
career, share that with your interviewer.
Share something you learned:
Being in Italy, chances are youre going to
learn a thing or two about wine, dont be
afraid to enlighten your interviewer on a few
of the tips you picked up on while there.
Even something as simple as I didnt know
the first thing about wine, especially red, but
once I got to Italy and saw how Italians embraced wine with meals, I became a big fan
Merlot.
Managing finances:
While you were in Italy, you were in change
of handling all your money, which means you

proably had some type of system, whether

it was only taking out 20 Euro at a time or
trying to pay for everything in cash to better keep track of your spendings, you had a
system. Its okay to talk about the financial
aspects of studying abroad in Italy because
it shows you are responsible enough to take
care of yourself, showing your stability is
long-lasting and controlled.
Being on your own made you mature:
Sure, you may have no other choice, but it
will still happen to you. Whether you notice it
or not, you will mature. Things that you take
for granted here, like asking for directions,
becomes an entire prcoess
Willingness to learn new abilities:
You may not be fluent in Italian but chances are you will have to take an Italian course
once you are there, and you will inevitably
pick up on the basic language while you
are out. This shows that you are willing to
broaden your mind and are accepting of new
or difficult challenges, like learning a new
language.
Just remember to always be yourself. Studying abroad made you who you are today,
keep that in mind as youre sitting down for
your next interview. Embrace each question
about study abroad as you did the study
abroad experience, happily and excited to
respond.

8 DESTINATION EVERYWHERE Fall 2014

Travel Brave

3Cities 3Days
in

If only there were more hours in the day will never feel truer than when you
are studying abroad. We know you want to see and experience as much as
possible while you are abroad and thats why we are taking you on a virtual
trip through Italy, explaining how to encompass three beautiful cities in three
days time! Come along and visit Rome, Florence and Venice with us and the
help of student traveler Lauren!
Things to consider before the trip:
Buy your tickets early! Train rides are the
easiest form of transportation for traveling
within Italy. Buy your train and boat tickets
prior to your day of traveling to make sure
everyone youre traveling with is able to
make the journey.

cause the crowds

in the morning
are unbearable to
work around because there is a
daily Mass in the
mornings for anyone who wishes to attend. By midday, it has
Bring sandwiches and snacks to avoid
cleared out a bit.
spending money
A large part of VatiI
was
walking
around
the
smallest
and to give yourcan City is St. Peself the most time country in the world but it was so ters Basilica, which
available to explore
is home to the
crowded,
it
felt
like
the
biggest.
Italy!
Sistine Chapel and
-Lauren Vahldick
directly beside the
Keep all your lugVatican Museum.
gage with you or with someone you trust at
all times. Napping on trains is going to hap- The last stop you should plan to make in
pen, sleep sitting on your bag or with the
Rome is to the Trevi Fountain. Visiting the
straps laced between your fingers.
historic fountain at night is much preferred
than visiting during the day. In the evening,
Day 1: ROME
the magestical nights turn on, and tourists
Plan to take the first offered train ride to
flock to make their wish in the Trevi FounRome. This is going to be the biggest of the
tain. In fact, wishers are supposed to face
three cities, so you want to have enough
away from the fountain and toss in their coin
time to fit everything into your day. Taking
using their right
the train directly to the stop near the Colos- hand, tossing
seum will give you more time! Self tours of
it over their left
the Colosseum are available Monday-Saturshould to ensure
day from 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
their wish comes
We suggest doing this as early as possible.
true. On average,
3,000 Euros are
Hop back on that train
thrown into the
and take it to the heart
fountain every day. Each morning, Roman
of Rome, Vatican City. We
city workers empty the fountain and donate
recommond doing this in
the money to various causes.
the middle of the day be-

DESTINATION EVERYWHERE Fall 2014

11

Day 2: FLORENCE
Just like the first day, you are going to take
the first available train from Rome to Florence, hoping arriving around mid-morning.
The nice thing about Florence is that its
relatively small and very easy to get around,
once you get off the train you shouldnt have
to rely on any other form of public transportation because everything is within walking
distance. Maria Novella, the train station is
located in the southwest corner of central
Florence, when you get off the train just
follow the crowd, they will be traveling to the
center of the city.
The first thing you will want to see is the
statue of David, formerly located in a
public square, the
statue is now located
in the Uffizi Museum.
The Uffizi is a very
small museum right
off the northern side
of the Ponte Vecchio.
Lines shouldnt be too
bad, people are usually in and out since
David is the largest attraction at the museum.
By mid afternoon make your way over to
the Duomo.
You can not
miss it, its
the tallest
and largest
buidling in
the tourist
area of Florence. You
can walk

around the square and get something to

eat, or you can pay to climb the tower or the
dome portion of the church. If you chose to
climb, beware the sloping ceiling can make
some feel uneasy, but the view is absolutely
breathtaking.
Following the Duomo, spend the rest
of the day sight
seeing. If youre
interested you can
visit the Boboli
Gardens, an outdoor garden exhibit with miles of
greenery natie to Italy, including the famous
arched tree cove that is a staple within the
Florence community.
Also, dont forget about going to the Ponte
Vecchio because this is one way to get some
amazing pictures. Walking along the Ponte
Vecchio will take you to amazing shops and
places to eat lunch. Thi is the best place to
try out some of your Italian. Asking vendors about
prices or
for directions in a
real world
but casual
situation
is the best
experience and
the quickest way to learn about the locals.
Floritians are friendly and understanding of
tourists, they will most likely go along with
whatever you are trying to say and some
even help you out, making corrections along
the way.

Florence is also the best of the three cities

Nothing beats that view, I
to stock up on souvenirs and momentos for
swear you can see for a 100
your friends and family because Florence
is typically the cheapest, so take advantage
miles. Ill never forget it.
and stock up on t-shirts and post cards!
-Vahldick talking about
making it to the top of
the Duomo dome
12 DESTINATION EVERYWHERE Fall 2014

Day 3: VENICE
Your final day of traveling to venice will be
slightly different than your trips to Rome and
Florence. You will still want to leave early
in the day but this trip will take you slightly longer to arrive. Venice is located in the
northern part of Italy and to get there you
can either take a train or bus to the coast
then you will take a boat ride to Piazza San
Marco, the central square in Venice. Since
Venice is knwn as the city built on water you will inevitably take a gondola ride
around the city, this ride may be expensive
but its definitely worth it.
You will want to travel to two bridges while
youre in Venice. The first is the Bridge of
Sighs. The white limestone bridge hovers high above the water, allowing for easy
passage beneath it. Interestly enough, the
bridge links olden interrigation
rooms to the only
prison in Venice
and the bridge is
noticeably the last
thing prisoners
saw before being
taken into custody. A local legend says that
lovers will be granted eternal love if they
kiss on a gondola at sunset under the Bridge
of Sighs as the bells of St Marks Campanile
ring through the city.
The second bridge you should definite-

ly make time to visit while in Venice is the

Rialto Bridge. It is the most famous of four
bridges that span the Great Canal that flows

through the middle of Venice. It is the oldest

bridge that covers the canal and seperates
San Marco and San Polo districts, two main
market and shopping centers in Venice.
Depending on your time of arrival, you may
be able to time your trip during Carnevale.

The best way to describe Carnevale is comparing it to a three night long party in the
streets of Venice. Men and women dress in
costumes, completely disgusing their faces and identities. People come from all over
the world to experience the festivities. Often
times, people wear masquerade disguises
and dress in opera attire. You will find that
you can buy
Youd be surprised masks for
price,
how many times Ive any
ranging
worn my masquer- from cheap
and
ade mask since Car- plastic
feathers, to
nevale, I think ever porcelain,
paintHalloween since Ive hand
ed masks.
been back from Italy.Once the
sets,
-Lauren Vahldick sun
people form
crowds in
the streets
waiting for the music to kick off the party
each night. Carnevale stems from a tradition that ends with the Christian celebration
of Lent, a time period of forty days before
Easter.

DESTINATION EVERYWHERE Fall 2014

13

Course
Catalog

Which classes you

should definitly
consider taking
while in Italy
Intro to Italian:
Think of how annoying it would be if
you were at your job
and someone came
up to you and started ordering or asking you questions
in German. Likely,
you would have no
idea what they were
saying, how to help
them and to be honest you would probably be a little annoyed with
them.
Well, this is how Italians feel
when we walk into a cafe not
knowing how to order anything in Italian.
You should definitely try to
fit an Into to Italian class into
your class schedule. That
way, you can learn atleast
the basics. Your teacher will
understand what you want
from the class and will be
wiling to help you learn the
quick and easy way to ask
for food, directions, help and
more basic information while
in Italy.
Wine tasting:
The drinking age in Italy
is 16, so no worries there.
Dont fret about having to
show an ID either, they go
by judgement calls. Drinking wine in Italy is one of
their favorite past times,
they drink wine with lunch

and dinner most days, and

even their snacks. Dont be
alarmed when waiters serve
your table pitchers of wine
isntead of water when you go
out to dinner.
You should absolutely try to
take a wine tasting class. I
promise you will learn more
about wine than you ever
thought you would. Learn all
about what foods pair best
with what wines, learn about
the smells, colors, tastes and
more. Wine tasting is definitely something worth taking.
Photography:
This is basically your secret
way to make sure you get the
best photos possible of your
time abroad. What better
way to make sure you take
great photos than by having
to turn them in for a grade?
Trust us, you wont want a
bunch of still shots of you

14 DESTINATION EVERYWHERE Fall 2014

and five other people lined

up taking a posed photo, you
want to capture the candid
beauty and all that Italy has
to offer.
As a side thought, make sure
you always have your camera
with you because you never
know when you will want to
snap a few shots.
Creative writing: Creative
Writing classes in Italy are
pretty much weekly field
trips to secret spots in
whichever city youre staying in combined with writing
down your thoughts.
Creative writing allows you
to visit incredible locations
that are usually only known
by the locals as part of clas
assignments.
Its impossible not to be
inspired while surrounded by
the amazing architecture you
will inevitably see if you sign
up for creative writing.

no matter where you go

go with

Choose your
destination