Loyola University Chicago Global Centers

I absolutely loved being able to spend my freshman year abroad, which is an opportunity not usually granted by most universities. The staff was very helpful and supportive of not only my studies, but of all my learning and growth while I was abroad. It was a different first college experience in comparison to that of other students, but well worth it. I was able to explore Rome and learn the culture and language, as well as travel to other places on the weekends and breaks, giving me the chance to see new places and visit old friends. It was also a good fit for me because everything I needed was available on campus or somewhere close-by, but I could also go into the city if I wanted a different experience. The hustle & bustle of Rome is unlike anything I have ever experienced, and I loved the on-site classes offered by the university. I can never eat gelato or a plate of pasta without thinking about my second home, which is what the JFRC became for me. I would do it all again in a heartbeat.

This was not my first time overseas, but it was my first time in Italy and in Rome. The food was great, the wine was great as well - and I am (was) not a wine drinker, and the people were very nice. Rome has quite a few things to see and do, and because it is a truly international city, one can find a small touch of home in various places and with certain activities. I found a touch of home at a beach party, an outdoor concert and a night club, as well as a record shop (yes, the place had vinyl records!) On the flip side, Rome is a big city, so there are also big-city problems such as traffic congestion and slow running busses. In spite of those things I thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience and treated every day like a new adventure.

I had an incredible experience studying in Rome for the summer, and I think a large part of that was due to the JFRC community. From the beginning of my exploration of the program to the day of my departure, I was impressed with the faculty and staff. It’s clear that they sincerely care about their students and want to do whatever they can to make each student’s experience one to remember. The campus was beautiful, and it’s location in the charming Balduina neighborhood helped me feel like I was really a part of the Roman culture. The classes that I took brought me out into the city of Rome, and getting to learn about this amazing place with knowledgeable professors allowed me to deepen my appreciation for this place. I loved my time in Rome and at the JFRC!

I had a great experience. The advisors planned some really awesome trips with the class and took us to some great dinners. I got to see all of Rome thru my theology class. It was beautiful to see all the churches around Rome. I’m so thankful to have met the people I did and see the places I saw. I got to go to Malta, Naples, Venice, Florence, Verona, Pompeii, and of course Roma.

My only objection was with my European masterpieces. Since I was studying abroad, I wanted to see places in Rome. My theology class went above and beyond in achieving that. My Euro-masterpieces class did not leave the room once; making it a lot less inspiring.

All In all I had an amazing time and would do it again in a heartbeat!

Thank you!!
-Joey Lonardi

Going to Vietnam was amazing and a great experience! All of the staff in the program were very helpful and kind. I felt like I could go to them whenever I had questions about things. I enjoyed having professors that were from a variety of backgrounds so we could get multiple perspectives of Vietnam which I really enjoyed. I also enjoyed having a staff member that lived in the dorm with us. It was helpful since he could easily translate things between us and other local Vietnamese. It was also helpful when we went on trips throughout the program and he could translate and he also helped us with experiencing traditional foods. The trips we took as a program were fun too. I liked learning about different cultures and then traveling to those cultures. The culture in Southeast Asia was so different than culture in the US or even in Europe and that is partly why I chose this program. All the people in Vietnam were so welcoming and nice. Even when we did speak the same language, we made connections with local Vietnamese. I loved getting to know a different part of the world and its culture. Before going to Vietnam I knew almost nothing about that area of the world and while there I learned so much. I also learned things about the US which I wasn’t expecting. I learned about the perspective of America from the Vietnamese and from the other countries I visited. While abroad, I was able to connect with a couple of my classmates from my home college because they are international students from Vietnam. They gave me tips of things to do or places to see and I was able to experience their home country. It really helped my friendships with these Vietnamese students grow. I did not think I would fall in love with the country as much as I did. It was a once in a lifetime experience and I cannot wait to go back to Vietnam some day! For now I hope to inform my friends all about Vietnam and hopefully convince other people to visit the country!