Earlier this year, Mark Codson, Ph.D., department of communication, media, and performance (who holds a visiting appointment at the University of Palermo) and Shannan L. Mattiace, Ph.D., Arthur E. Braun Chair of political science (2023-2027), Professor of political science and international studies led an interdisciplinary exploration travel course to Italy. The Global Learning Seminar is intended to appeal to students from across Allegheny, regardless of major and minor, and is coordinated through the Global Education Office.
Over the three-week course, 17 student travelers each earned four credits and were joined by local guides, professors, and specialists who were able to enrich the students’ experiences.
Students began their time in Italy living with Italian families in the small, walled hill town of Amelia, one of the oldest in Italy. There, students studied Italian intensively at a local language school. Time was also devoted to learning about Italian customs, mores, and manners first-hand through a range of activities and field trips.
Nolan Kons ‘26, a physics major and art, science, and innovation and music double minor, said of the experience, “I had never been overseas or to any foreign city before, but this trip really pushed me to explore these new sites and locations on my own. Additionally, living with a host family was something I’d never done before either, but my roommate and I genuinely had the best time with our host parents and their kids. It honestly challenged me to speak (more so attempt) Italian more often while I was there. This trip taught me many ways to jump outside of my own comfort zone!”
The group spent four days in Florence, the cradle of the Italian Renaissance. The group then headed south to Naples, one of Italy’s oldest cities, to begin thinking about the classical past. A highlight was a performance at the Teatro San Carlo, Europe’s oldest opera house. Other memorable sights included Pompeii, Mount Vesuvius, and the stunning island of Capri. Their travels concluded with six days in Rome, where students deepened their familiarity with late Medieval and Renaissance history, as well as the classical traditions.
With Professor Mattiace’s expertise, in Prato, Naples, and Rome, significant study was devoted to contemporary issues of immigration and community.
History major and political science minor Liv Colflesh ‘26 had a life-changing experience. She said, “This trip provided me the opportunity to explore what migration looks like in Italy as well as what the past looked like through artwork and architecture, two things that were interesting to me. Additionally, this trip was perfect for me, because I wasn’t sure I would be able to commit to studying abroad for a full semester, but going to Europe had always been a dream of mine. This destination allowed me to explore interests that I had that were applicable to my majors while allowing me to not miss a full semester on campus.”
She loved staying with her host family in Amelia. “They were so kind and helpful to me! Some of my favorite memories from my trip were getting to watch a movie with my little host brother (with English subtitles, of course) or watching a big soccer match with them. I felt so welcomed into their family and lucky to have the experience with them and their town.”
As many students report after traveling and studying abroad, for even a short time, Colflesh learned that she can be sure of herself and her choices. She says, “Exploring cities like Rome can be daunting, but I loved pushing myself to be open to experiences and to say “yes” to things I normally wouldn’t! I felt like I learned to be more flexible in my independence. Inevitably things went wrong during the trip, but a lot more things went right and gave me memories I’ll have for a lifetime.”
Kons said, “This trip has really shown me a whole new part of the world that I’ve never seen before. Coming from someone who’s been in the US for my whole life, I can easily say that traveling to Italy expanded my viewpoint of the world, whether it’s on history, culture, or what goes on in other parts of the world. Since that trip, I’ve begun to feel more inclined to explore more locations around the world for my current career path. Even though we just had our trip a few months ago, I already hope to revisit Italy and see my host family again sometime in the future!”
And how did the adventure apply to Allegheny? “For me the amazing thing about this trip was that what we were learning was so applicable to things I chose to study at Allegheny. Some of my favorite days were spent outside of the cities and usual tourist spots and in the non-glamorous sectors of Italy that enabled me to put a face and create an understanding of the concepts and statistics involved in my studies. I’m hoping that going forward I am fortunate enough to do a job where I can travel and experience new things, meet new people, and eat lots of good food!”
Since 2007, approximately 200 Allegheny students have traveled to Italy on different versions of the travel course that Professor Codson co-created. He says, “I’ve often heard from alumni that they’d like to return or wish that they could have gone when they were students. In May 2025, Professor Mattiace and I will travel to Palermo and Western Sicily joined by 25 Allegheny alums and friends. Our hope is to subsequently create a Sicily travel seminar for current Allegheny students.”
Allegheny College students can study away at over 40 programs in 20 countries, including foreign and domestic locations, where they can take courses that count towards graduation and major or minor requirements.
Plus, when Allegheny students study away on a sponsored program, they can take their institutional and federal financial aid with them. Knowledge of a foreign language is not a requirement of most programs. In addition, Allegheny College offers exciting Global Learning Seminars where faculty teach a group of Allegheny students in an off-campus location.
Get in touch with the Global Education Office to discover Allegheny-sponsored study away opportunities.
