Howdy!
I’m currently attending Ca’ Foscari University in Venice, Italy, for the fall semester of 2021. I have been attending classes for a few weeks now, and my first impression of Ca’ Foscari is that it has a highly welcoming atmosphere. All the people I have met so far have been very helpful and accommodating to me as a foreign exchange student, which has made it a lot easier for me to adjust to a new country. The professors here are all very knowledgeable and seem to care about their students genuinely. There are many similarities between classes here and at Texas A&M, but there is a different grading system and one exam in most courses. For instance, I must choose to be either an attending student or a non-attending student in class, and my grade will count differently for each. Some courses require group projects, which has been an excellent opportunity to meet other students from different backgrounds.
The city of Venice is like no other. Since living in Venice, the biggest shock I’ve experienced is that public transportation consists entirely of water taxis. The Vaporetto (a boat) is the primary means of getting around Venice and is the sole alternative to walking through the streets. This city also has no shortage of delicious places to eat. When people say all there is to eat here is pizza and pasta, they aren’t lying! However, I’m not complaining because Italian food is one of my favorites! During my first few weeks of studying abroad, I discovered that getting lost on the island is very easy. But I’ve slowly gotten used to the layout of the island, and I’m hoping by the end of the semester, I will know my way around! One of my favorite things to do here is going to watch the sunset while sitting on a dock. This is not only a great way to relax, but it gives me a chance to take in the beautiful island!
Studying abroad in a beautiful city like Venice is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I have enjoyed every moment of it so far!
Jessica Johnson
The Grand Canal!
The BEST gelato!
Sunsets on the dock!