Studying art in the birthplace of western art and society is truly a once in a lifetime experience.
It’s one that junior illustration major Emma Frizzell is embracing every moment as she completes a semester abroad in Orvieto, Italy.
Coming into Taylor, Frizzell always knew she had a desire for an abroad experience that would challenge her and deepen her perspective.
“I feel like when I first started at Taylor, I knew that I wanted to try to (study abroad) just because I knew it would be such a cool experience,” she said. “And then studying abroad freshman year over J-term, going to Ecuador, I feel like kind of made that more of an interest. It’s so enriching to experience another space.”
The program is in partnership with Gordon College. While in Orvieto, the students live in an old, renovated convent, enjoying traditional Italian food cooked by a local chef. The meals are family style, home-cooked twice a day, reflective of the European value of slowing down and savoring good food, rest and community.
Frizzell noticed how even this practice has caused her to consider the American tendency to prioritize individuality and efficiency, especially in food culture.
“I was shocked by this, but at least in Orvieto, like the afternoon, a lot of places close for ‘riposo,’ which is like nap time, basically,” she said. “So that's something that's different. I feel like, in the US, we're used to, like very normal times of places being open and available … Having shared meals, I feel has been a really wonderful thing, too. Like, if I get busy on (Taylor’s) campus, I will run and eat really quick and then work again.”
A busy schedule means missing out on fruitful time with others, Frizzell observed.
Living in a predominantly Catholic culture, Frizzell has also been able to experience different worship styles. Although language can be a barrier, she has been able to accept the challenge as something meant for her growth.
“It's also very different being in a Catholic culture, since I grew up Protestant, and so I go to Mass every Sunday,” Frizzell said. “(I) don't take communion because I'm not baptized in the Catholic church, obviously. And so that's been something else that's like, different from what I'm used to, at least.”
Because mass is held in Italian, the language barrier can be difficult, but Frizzell noted how she was able to gradually understand some of the passages.
Her class schedule provides a unique balance of routine and freedom.
From 9 a.m. to noon, classes occupy her schedule, and then she meets with the cohort of students in the program to update each other on their experiences in the program. Lunch is at 1:30 p.m., followed by humanities class and Italian lessons.
In the evenings, students are free to engage with others. Nighttime activities usually include gathering around a movie or calling family and friends, as Wi-Fi is only available from 9 to 11 p.m.
The program also provides unique opportunities for experiential education, and Frizzell has been able to take many day trips and excursions to historical areas in Italy.
“We did a day trip to Assisi, which is where St. Francis grew up and lived,” Frizzell said. “And so we saw just the church that was built after his passing, and where actually he's buried, with a bunch of paintings inside about his life.”
Despite the busyness of the Rome trip, Frizzell felt that she was able to absorb the Fransican culture through observing unique rituals and learning about the Franciscan lifestyle.
Participating in the Orvieto program has also allowed Frizzell to expand her comfort zone.
She noted how being constantly surrounded by college students in such a communal environment was an adjustment for Frizzell, who typically considers herself more introverted. Still, she has embraced the change and is grateful for the opportunity to share the small things with others.
“It's still a group of college students, so it's still like, lots of silliness, and I feel like I got lucky,” she said. “The group I'm with is really funny, and I still laugh a lot. I feel like it can totally depend on your group.”
The perspective she came with of having everything exactly as she dreamed it would be has matured into one of gratitude.
This shift allowed Frizzell to have richer experiences and appreciate the unique moment of life she is in, one that so few have the opportunity to receive.
“I feel like it can be overwhelming with the amount of newness that you can get,” she said. “And you want it to be a life-changing experience, and you want to get so much of it.”
Being open to learning has allowed her to embrace the small, mundane parts of life abroad as well as the transformative experiences.
