Eastern students immerse in Italian culture

Nineteen English students at Eastern embarked on an annual global field course to Florence, Italy, from June 22 to August 2. Titled "Creative Writing Abroad," the course was led by English Professor Christopher Torockio and allowed students to draw writing inspiration by immersing in Italian culture and the countryside.

During their six weeks abroad, students were assigned to write a short story inspired by their time in Italy. In doing so, they had ample opportunities to explore locations outside Florence. 

“Being here has given me so many rich experiences, such as meeting new people, immersing myself in Italian culture, and gaining a real sense of independence,” said first-time traveler Kaitlyn Sutherland, a senior majoring in psychology. 

“There’s significance even in small things, like learning the bottle caps here don’t twist off, which has reminded me just how different and exciting it is to live in another country.” 

Sophomore biology major Miranda Muscara explained how exploring both Sicily and Florence impacted her writing. 

“I went to (the Sicilian cities of) Catania and Palermo and loved the historical sights, delicious food, and amazing beaches,” said Muscara. “I ended up writing my story from the perspective of a famous statue in Florence. ... The format of the class allowed me to gain a lot of great perspectives and advice on writing, and there was never a shortage of inspiration or time to write.”

Senior history major Skylar Rottino visited a wide array of museums and historic sites between sightseeing and writing. 

“Being in Florence while basing your writing on Florence helped to bring the words to life,” she said. “It was an incredible time for growth and new understandings of art, history, and culture. I have made memories and friends to last a lifetime.” 

Senior English and elementary education major Jenna Davis said her experience in Italy helped her to gain confidence in her own writing and jump headfirst into a foreign culture. 

“During my time abroad, I spent my days writing, connecting with fellow classmates, traveling throughout Italy and other parts of Europe, and making countless memories,” said Davis.  

“This program exceeded my expectations in so many ways. It allowed me to gain many valuable assets, learn more about myself, and learn from my talented peers during our writers’ workshops.” 

Recent graduate Hayden Smith ‘25 traveled with the writers for the second year in a row, this time as a teacher’s assistant, to bond with her peers as they wrote their stories and navigated the city of Florence. 

“Not only was I able to experience the culture, but blending myself with new classmates for six weeks allowed me to see how I fit in different spaces,” said Smith. “Being abroad, trying to get along with my peers, melting into the Italian culture, all while writing, allowed me to be creative and explore myself as a writer.”