Study Abroad 101

Get a glimpse into six different places your sisters have studied abroad! Most importantly, don’t miss their best advice for making your experience seamless and unforgettable—one that will be checked off your bucket list before you know it, and something you'll be talking about for years to come.

Lorenzo De' Medici in Florence, Italy

This program, which is quite popular on campus, partners with the Instituto Lorenzo de' Medici to offer students an enriched experience in the beautiful city of Florence. It provides various options for term length, whether you're interested in the fall semester, a full summer, or a Summer 1 or 2 term.

Must-Visit Places While There:

• Amalfi Coast

• Venice – gondola rides!

• Lake Como – boat tours!

• Milan – see a soccer game

• The Duomo – climb it during sunset for the most amazing view of the city

Advice:

“NEVER SAY NO!!! When someone invites you to do anything, always say yes. It’s the spontaneous adventures that are the most memorable.” – a Zeta

“If you’re in Florence or Rome, use the company SmartTrips Europe to plan your trips! It makes weekend travel so easy and affordable, and the post-grad girls who lead the trips are super nice and sweet. It’s also a great way to meet other students in your study abroad city.” – a Zeta

“I visited Milan and you HAVE to go see a soccer game! The atmosphere is almost as good as a UT game.” – a Zeta

“Don’t take moments to yourself for granted. Even something as simple as walking to class—don’t get caught up in your phone. Take in every moment and soak up the culture and the views on every street.” – a Zeta

“Don’t take the historical sites in Rome for granted! It might seem lame to go on historical tours and visit the sites, but they’re SO interesting and totally worth it!” – a Zeta

“I loved this program because of the freedom it gave me. I had class every day during the January intersession, but any time I wasn’t in class, I was out exploring Florence and enjoying all the sights and food. On weekends, I would travel to other regions of Italy.” – a Zeta

Florence Summer 1 Term or May Mini Term

If you're looking for that classic Italian summer—surrounded by Renaissance art and all the beauty Florence has to offer—without missing out on anything back at UT, this program is the perfect fit. Studying abroad during the summer lets you enjoy all four years on campus while still experiencing Italy and earning credits during your break.

Must-Visit Places While There:

• Venice

• Capri

• Siena

• Rome

• Pisa

• Lake Como

• Amalfi Coast and Sorrento

• Vatican City

Advice:

"My advice is to go out of your comfort zone and do what’s best for you! As fun as it can be to go with your best friends from UT, I recommend going in with an open mind to meet new people from different schools. I started my program knowing nobody and left with four new best friends who I still keep in touch with months later! There are so many opportunities every single day of studying abroad, and it’s best to push yourself to try new things for the ultimate experience!” – A Zeta

“Immerse yourself in the culture and meet the people! I had so much fun getting to know the locals who work at restaurants and coffee shops! Pack light on hygiene products—they have pharmacies that have everything! If I was missing anything, it was there, just in another language!” – A Zeta

“Travel! I also went to Paris during my trip. There’s so much more to Italy—and Europe—to see.” – A Zeta

“I loved the timing of the May mini term program being at the end of the spring semester. The program was super detailed and organized, which made it easy for me to travel to Italy alone for the first time. It was hard cramming three credit hours into two and a half weeks, but it was necessary for the program.” – A Zeta

“I visited Sorrento and Capri during my first weekend in Italy, and it was the best weekend of my life.” – A Zeta

May Mini Term in Freiburg, Germany

Another great option for people who have FOMO about being away for an entire semester! This program emphasizes field trips and hands-on experiences, including an excursion to the Black Forest and a visit to a local vineyard. Yay, wine!

Itinerary Highlights:

• German Alps

• Neuschwanstein Castle

• Residenz Palace

Advice:

“I loved how there was no class time, and we went on business visits! I wish I had a bit more time in Germany than just 10 days.” – a Zeta

“Find out who is in your program and reach out to them to make friends before you get there! I met one of my best friends by doing this, and we even roomed together.” – a Zeta

“Call your credit card company because if you don’t, they’ll get suspicious of the foreign transactions and turn your card off lol.” – a Zeta

“Be open to experiencing different cultures and don’t shy away from situations that may be a culture shock. I have the best memories from moments like accidentally stepping into a bike lane and getting screamed at in German because it’s considered very rude!” – a Zeta

UTK Glorious Gardens

You don’t need to be an agriculture major to run around gardens like a princess in European estates—no dirt involved! This program offers the opportunity to photograph, sketch, and experience some of the most breathtaking gardens and cultural sites in the world.

Places Your Sisters Visited While on This Program:

• Nice, France

• Stresa, Italy

Advice:

“Take a journal! I am so glad for my class we had to sketch and journal the trip and it is so awesome to be able to look back on my trip through my own eyes and not just photos.” – a Zeta

“This trip was a plant sciences program, which was super interesting as someone who is not an agriculture major. I study interior architecture, so it was fascinating to see the parallels between landscape and interior design and to learn from not only the professors but also the plant science and horticultural students on the trip!” – a Zeta

UTK Public Relations in Siena

In Siena, you can experience the charm of a small Italian town while still being just a train ride away from Florence, where you can be as touristy as you want!

Things to Do:

1. The Palio – a historic horse race in Siena

2. Cooking Classes – learn to make traditional Italian dishes

3. Levanto – beautiful town you can reach by train

Advice:

“I loved that the school planned activities for us, we didn’t have class on Fridays, and we were able to travel easily throughout Italy.” – a Zeta

“Plan ahead! Do research on your area, airlines, train stations, etc. before you arrive. For example, in Italy, we found that traveling from city to city was much easier via train. Planning your stops and route ahead of time can really help reduce travel stress.” – a Zeta

“Document your experience! Many people create Instagram accounts, scrapbooks, video recaps, or journals. It’s so fun to look back on those memories later.” – a Zeta

Intermediate Spanish in Sevilla

Experience Spain in the most fulfilling way possible—through a program that immerses you in the culture while offering unforgettable weekend trips to explore the country’s vibrant cities.

Must-Visit Places

• Mallorca

• Cádiz

• Córdoba

• Granada

Advice:

"I took a Flamenco dancing class, drank sangria, and ate tapas everywhere I went. I also spent a lot of time at the beach!" – a Zeta

"I loved living in a homestay because my Spanish skills improved so much. It was such an authentic cultural experience! Honestly, there wasn’t anything about the program I didn’t love!" – a Zeta

"Stay in touch with the friends you made on your trip. You got to experience something so unique together!" – a Zeta

"Use packing cubes! They're a lifesaver!" – a Zeta