GovState Honors College

Every journey has a destination, but the best ones continue long after the trip ends!

After weeks of exploring Italy, Honors College students boarded one final flight home, bringing an unforgettable international experience to a close.

From their departure in Chicago to their return home, this journey was filled with moments of discovery, meaningful experiences, and opportunities to see the world through a different lens. Reuniting with family and friends marked the end of the program while celebrating everything students had accomplished along the way.

Thank you for following our journey through Italy. We look forward to sharing where the next Honors College adventure will lead.

Arrivederci, Italia.

The Honors College Study Abroad program concluded with moments of reflection, celebration, and connection as students enjoyed their final days together in Italy.

Students spent time along the Mediterranean coast, shared a farewell dinner featuring authentic Italian cuisine, and experienced the warmth of Italian culture through live traditional music and conversation. These moments provided an opportunity to reflect on the experiences, friendships, and memories built throughout the program.

While the classroom provided the foundation for learning, cultural immersion extended beyond the classroom through shared meals, local traditions, meaningful conversations, and the connections formed along the journey.

As the Italy VIII program came to a close, students left with more than photographs and souvenirs. They returned with new perspectives, lasting friendships, and memories that will continue to shape them long after the journey ended.

Every destination became another classroom during the Honors College Study Abroad experience in Italy.

While in Como, students expanded their understanding of global leadership and destination management through a special presentation by Francesca Biffi, Sport & Entertainment Director for Como 1907. Students learned how sports tourism, community partnerships, and international branding contribute to economic development and shape a city's global identity.

Learning extended beyond the classroom as students visited Castel Baradello, where panoramic views overlooking Lake Como provided a deeper appreciation for the region's history, culture, and geography.

The journey continued to Pompeii, where students explored one of the world's most significant archaeological sites. Walking through preserved streets, ancient architecture, mosaics, and artifacts transformed history from something read in textbooks into an unforgettable firsthand experience. Encounters with the site's famous plaster casts also offered a powerful reminder of the lives forever changed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79.

Every experience is another opportunity to learn!

Study Abroad continued with a day that blended academic learning and cultural exploration in the beautiful city of Como!

Students partnered with the University of Insubria, where they explored tourism, destination management, and the economic impact of one of Italy's most recognized destinations. Through discussions with faculty and hands-on learning, students gained valuable insight into the opportunities and challenges of managing tourism in a globally recognized region.

After class, students experienced Lake Como from a new perspective, exploring the historic waterfront before traveling by funicular into the surrounding mountains. The breathtaking views provided a memorable backdrop to conversations about sustainability, community development, and the importance of preserving cultural and natural resources.

The Honors College Study Abroad program continued with a day of discovery, giving students the opportunity to experience Italy's rich artistic and cultural heritage firsthand.

Students explored the world-renowned Vatican Museums, home to one of the largest collections of Renaissance art in the world. Walking through the breathtaking Gallery of Maps and admiring centuries-old masterpieces offered a unique perspective on the history, artistry, and innovation that continue to shape Italy today.

The experience extended beyond the museum walls as students also visited a local leather workshop, where they observed skilled artisans preserving traditional techniques that have been passed down through generations.

Study abroad is more than visiting iconic
destinations, it's about connecting with history, culture, and craftsmanship in ways that bring classroom learning to life.

Through experiences like these, students gain a broader understanding of the world while developing the curiosity, cultural awareness, and global perspective that prepare them to become future leaders.

Not every lesson during the Honors College Study Abroad program takes place at a historic landmark. During their time at the American University of Rome, GovSate Honors College students explored Italian leadership through presentations led by their classmates.

Students researched influential Italian leaders from different periods of history and examined how their leadership styles shaped Italy's political, cultural, and social development. From Renaissance visionaries like Lorenzo de' Medici to modern leaders who helped rebuild Italy, these presentations encouraged thoughtful discussion about leadership, service, and lasting impact.

From Rome to Como!

After traveling north from Rome, Honors College students continued their study abroad experience in Como, where classroom learning was enriched by the beauty, history, and culture of one of Italy's most iconic destinations.

Through their collaboration with the University of Insubria, students explored destination management, examining how tourism, sustainability, and local communities work together to shape one of Italy's most celebrated regions.

Experiences like these demonstrate that some of the most valuable learning happens beyond the classroom through collaboration, cultural immersion, and seeing the world from new perspectives.

Happy Fourth of July from the GovState Honors College!

Today, we celebrate the freedoms that unite us and the opportunities they make possible.

As you gather with family, friends, and your communities, we wish you a safe, joyful, and memorable Fourth of July.

Honors College Study Abroad | Journey Through Italy

Our Honors College students have packed so much into the first 10 days of their study abroad experience in Italy.

From standing beneath the grandeur of St. Peter's Basilica and admiring Michelangelo's Pietà, to exploring the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and historic neighborhoods throughout Rome, each day has offered new opportunities to connect classroom learning with centuries of history, art, architecture, and culture.

The program also encourages independent exploration. During their first weekend abroad, students ventured throughout Rome, including visits to the Largo di Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary, while others traveled to Spain and Germany, experiencing even more of Europe's rich cultures.

One of the week's highlights came on June 29, when students joined thousands of Romans along the Tiber River to celebrate the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul. As the sun set over St. Peter's Basilica, the evening concluded with a spectacular fireworks display above Castel Sant'Angelo, a uniquely Roman tradition and an unforgettable cultural experience.

This week also marked a return to the classroom at the American University of Rome, where students continue combining academic study with immersive, real-world learning before heading to the Vatican Museums and later traveling north to Como for a collaborative week with our partners at the University of Insubria.

Every day brings new discoveries, new perspectives, and, of course, new memories!

We look forward to sharing more from their journey!

And they're off!

After months of preparation, the Honors College Study Abroad VIII group has officially begun their journey to Rome, Italy. From Gate C16 to the streets of Rome, students are embarking on an experience that will expand their perspectives, deepen their understanding of global cultures, and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Follow along as we share highlights from Italy over the coming weeks!