School of Planning, Design and Construction

After three years in Michigan State University's Landscape Architecture Program, my classmates and I were headed on a month-long trip to Italy and Greece. Our group of 18 students, led by Professors Vanessa Warren and Patricia Machemer, had been honing our sketching and drawing skills throughout the years, as well as learning how to analyze, plan, design, and manage the natural and built environment. Finally, we were on our way to study in the wonderful world abroad. 

Shortly after landing in Italy, my friends and I discovered that driving habits in the United States differ from those in Italy. We held on for our lives as our taxi weaved in and out of traffic on the way to Rome. On our first day there, we enjoyed Italian espresso at a local cafe and watched as people went about their days. Once energized by the caffeine, we strolled around the streets of Trastevere. The beautifully rustic colors of the Middle-Aged architecture were fascinating; local restaurants and gelaterias lined the streets and alleyways. And when night came, lights lit up the alleys as music and laughter filled the air. It seemed like everyone had finally woken up for the nightlife which lasted till 4 am. 

On our first official day of study abroad, we took a bike tour around the city's main attractions. We walked through narrow cobblestone alleys while dodging tourists and locals on our way to each destination. During the first part of the tour, we visited the Trevi Fountain and Pantheon. Halfway through, we stopped for 15 minutes to sketch at the Roman Forum. Afterward, we rode to the Colosseum and then raced through Circus Maximus as if we were charioteers. This tour familiarized us with the layout of Rome and made it easier for us to navigate once we began exploring other parts of the city later in the week.

While in Rome, we made day trips to Villa d'Este, Reggia Caserta, and Pompeii. Villa d'Este, a 16th-century villa in Tivoli, inspired me with its elegant gardens and fountains. Reggia Caserta was modeled after the Palace of Versailles and built by Luigi Vanvitelli and his son Carlo Vanvitelli as a royal residence. We enjoyed walking through the towering baroque-styled building with ornate ceilings and marble floors to an opening that revealed the three-kilometer stretch of fountains leading up to the mountain. The ancient city of Pompeii left me in disbelief. The structures and layout of the city that remained standing after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius offer an unparalleled opportunity to see and understand Roman life two thousand years ago.

Our next stop was in the Tuscan city of Florence, which was significantly different from Rome. The streets are cleaner and more spacious than those in Rome. The shops indicate that Florence is a huge tourist attraction. I didn’t fully appreciate Florence until we took a bike tour around its countryside. Although the bike tour was strenuous, the views were breathtaking. On top of the countryside and beyond rows of olive trees showed the entire city of Florence. We took note of the beautiful vegetation including wisteria, Italian cypress, olive trees, and cedar of Lebanon. For me, the countryside of Florence was the most beautiful place I have ever seen. My friends and I joked that we would retire one day in Florence.

Next, we traveled to Venice. We arrived by train and walked the rest of the way to our hotel. The busy city relies on water and ground transportation, including water taxis, private boats, gondolas, and walking over bridges and through maze-like alleys. We took a walking tour around the island; over and under bridges and through confined alleyways--a feat I doubt I would have been able to accomplish without Google Maps. The city itself is a piece of art with its Venetian Gothic buildings revealing their unique styles, which came from Byzantine and Islamic architecture, thanks to colorful facades complimented by blue water and arched bridges. It's amazing to think that this beautiful city sits atop wooden posts driven into mud banks!

We were sad to say  “Ciao” to Italy, but excited about the second act to come--our time in Greece. As we had all taken part in the ritual coin toss at the Trevi Fountain, we were comforted knowing that our return to the eternal city was assured. We all looked forward to the adventures and sights that lay ahead in Greece.

After we arrived in Athens, faculty and students from the Agricultural University of Athens greeted us and gave us directions to local restaurants and places of interest. They also gave us tips on things to do in town. The next day, they led us on a tour of their campus to provide us with a deeper understanding of the Agricultural University of Athens. They also presented each of us with a jar of honey made by their bees that were housed on their campus. It was delicious. 

The students from the Agricultural University of Athens accompanied us to the Acropolis Museum, where we were able to learn about the Acropolis and the history of Athens. Then, we climbed to the top of the Acropolis. Beyond the Beulé Gate stood the monumental Parthenon, with its giant marble columns towering over the city. The Acropolis, which is visible from any point in the city, represents the power and culture of the ancient Greek Empire. We then ventured from the Acropolis to Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center which redefines public space. Here you'll find the Greek National Opera, the National Library of Greece, and Stavros Niarchos Park--one of the largest green roofs in Athens covering 21 hectares. This mix of old history and new advancements inspired everyone!

While in Athens, we spent the majority of our time roaming Ermou Street, which was full of eccentric shops and eye-catching restaurants. During our stay in Athens, we encountered countless adorable cats. And, whenever we saw a cat, we stopped to take a picture or give food. One of our last experiences in Athens was hiking up to the Pnyx and watching the incredible sunset from atop the hill. Sitting there with everyone reminded me how lucky I am to be with such a close group of classmates who are my friends.

We spent the night traveling via a high-speed ferry to the island of Crete. Once we arrived, the majority of our time was spent outdoors on the beach playing volleyball and suntanning, rock hunting, swimming, and eating traditional Cretan food. Some classmates tried the famous Cretan snails, but I was unable to work up the courage to try them. At this point in study abroad, we had become a close-knit class. Before studying abroad, we were friends; but by this time in our trip, we had formed friendships that will last a lifetime.

Our last stop was the picturesque island of Santorini. Its unique architectural design made it one of the most beautiful places I've ever visited. The blue-domed churches stuck out from the cloud of white-washed buildings in the towns. The streets were incredibly narrow, with sliver-sized sidewalks to navigate. I was especially interested in the unique ways people have been able to live with such a limited space and how they've managed to preserve their culture and traditions despite being inundated by tourists most of the year.

The trip to Italy and Greece was a life-changing experience for me. It was an opportunity to see the world in a new way, with new eyes, and from a different perspective. The trip changed my life forever, and I am grateful for it. I am thankful that I had the opportunity to bond with my classmates, become a better landscape architect, and develop friendships that will last a lifetime. I can't express enough gratitude toward the Chipman family for supporting us through the John Chipman Endowment Scholarship, as well as all the other supporters of MSU's Landscape Architecture program. I'd also like to thank Professors Trish Machemer, Vanessa Warren, and Jenn for accompanying us on our trip. Thank you to everyone who made this possible!