Italy Study Abroad '25

Mornings began with a spread of deli meats, a variety of cheeses, fresh bread, croissants, and flaky pastries. It was a change of pace that set the tone for each day of this European experience.

“Forget pancakes and bacon — Italy’s breakfast game is built around savory bites and carbs,” said Maura Kulp, a biomedical sciences major at Commonwealth University-Mansfield. “For someone like me who kicks off the day with eggs or a quick yogurt, this was definitely a big change.”

“In Italy, it's an experience. Dinner could easily stretch two to three hours, and grabbing something ‘on-the-go’ wasn’t really a thing. Italian dining isn’t rushed. It’s about savoring every bite, every conversation, and really being present with the people around you.”
Hotel breakfast was one of many unexpected cultural twists Kulp and her 12 fellow Commonwealth University students experienced during their time abroad this summer, especially when it came to dinner.

“In Italy, it's an experience,” Kulp said. “Dinner could easily stretch two to three hours, and grabbing something ‘on-the-go’ wasn’t really a thing. Italian dining isn’t rushed. It’s about savoring every bite, every conversation, and really being present with the people around you.”

She added, “In a way, it was a great reminder — to slow down, unplug, and enjoy life as it’s happening.”

And that’s exactly what the group did for nearly two weeks traveling through the Tuscany and Lazio regions of Italy walking in the footsteps of Galileo — the famed Italian astronomer, physicist, and engineer.