Î÷¹ÏÊÓƵ

Four Î÷¹ÏÊÓƵ students have journeyed across the globe to study in new cities and towns. Throughout this semester, we’re following them on their travels as they learn about the culture around them. Read the first dispatch here.

For this second installment, we’re checking in with our Gulls as they get more comfortable in their new environments. Are they picking up any local lingo? What about their outlooks on culture, food, and art in their study abroad locations?

Brooke Rameaka ’26—Florence, Italy

A digital media major and creative writing minor from Walpole, Mass., and a member of the crew team

What’s the most surprising difference in everyday life between Florence and home?

The most surprising difference between Florence and home is the community interaction. At home, while everyone is really friendly, people are a lot more isolated, and we drive everywhere. We do things in the most convenient way, which usually involves minimal human interaction. In Florence, people are not as outwardly friendly, but there is more of a community feeling. You have to walk or take public transit everywhere, and to get any meal you have to sit in a restaurant and interact with people.

Have you picked up any Italian phrases that you use daily? Which ones?

My favorite Italian phrases to use are ciao and allora. Allora is a filler word that is fun to add to any conversation. Ciao is a greeting/goodbye, and it makes me feel very Italian. I also have made some friends from Mexico City who are in my program, so they have taught me some Spanish. My favorite word in Spanish is paloma which means pigeon.

What’s been your favorite piece of art or architecture you’ve seen so far, and how did it impact you?

I loved walking through the iconic Uffizi Gallery courtyard, which contains statues of famous artists and important Italian figures. It makes me realize how old Florence is, and the amazing people that have made an impact here over the years.

How has living in such a historically rich city influenced your perspective on art, culture, or history?

Being in film school in such an art-filled and culturally rich city has given me so much inspiration for the films I make for my classes. In terms of history, Florence just makes me realize how old the world is, especially compared to the U.S. I have been in so many buildings that are older than our country, and that blows my mind. There is art everywhere here in Florence, including street art. Every block has some sort of graffiti or public art project that is extremely visually interesting and impactful.

Ryan Childress ’26—Robina, Australia

An environmental science major from Odessa, Fla., and a member of the men’s volleyball team

What’s been the wildest wildlife encounter you’ve had since arriving in Australia?

My best wildlife encounters have been with whales. Humpback whales are common off the shores of Australia. Though their migratory patterns lead them away from the Gold Coast about now, I got very lucky to see some on my recent scuba diving trip. This was on top of seeing wobbegongs, clownfish, sea turtles, and nudibranchs. After the dive, I got to see a whale breaching only a few hundred feet away.

How do you think Aussie culture, with its laid-back vibe, differs from what you’re used to?

Aussie culture assumes friendliness right off the bat and gives everyone the benefit of the doubt. Meeting people has never been easier, as everyone is positively beaming when they hear you’re from another country. I’m not used to talking about politics as much as I do here—it’s practically everyone’s first question when they learn you’re American! But mostly, Aussie culture differs in the friendliness and grace given to strangers, as well as the raunchy humor even though you barely know each other.

Have you picked up any Aussie slang that you’ve started using?

I have! I’ve caught myself various times using “mate” to refer to friends or people I have met. It’s especially useful if you don’t know someone’s name just yet, as I have met quite a few people here. Sometimes when you get to talking, you forget to introduce yourself properly, so a great way to get their name is by asking, “By the way mate, what’s your name?” It will definitely remain in my vocabulary when I’m back in America, too.

After scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef, what's the next adventurous thing you’ve done or what’s next on your bucket list—surfing, hiking, or something else entirely?

I finally got my first taste of surfing a couple of weeks ago. We were just surfing the whitewater waves, really shallow, but still, that first feeling of standing up on a board and riding the wave to shore was addicting. The sea breeze in your hair, the water glistening as you ride the wave in—everything about it begs me to go again. Managing to stand up on the board is a feat in itself, and has given me much respect for pro surfers. My personal experience combined with what I’m learning in my surf culture class has been instrumental in learning about myself and what I love.

Veronique (Vera) Campaz ’26—Cork, Ireland

An art therapy major from Cherry Hill, N.J., and an Î÷¹ÏÊÓƵ Presidential Ambassador

What’s been your favorite discovery about Irish culture or history that you didn’t expect before arriving?

One of my favorite parts of Irish culture is discovering what a tea or “comfort” break is. Since most of my classes are lectures, they go on for around three hours or more. Within that time, we usually get a 15- to 30-minute break. During this period, most of the class will go and make themselves tea or coffee and get a little bite to eat. This time can also be used to go to the bathroom, but seeing the number of people who specifically take this time to make themselves a cup of tea is quite amusing.

How has the Irish pub scene shaped your social experiences in Cork?

There is an Irish pub on almost every street and corner in Cork. I’ve explored quite a few, and you end up having a favorite you and your friends usually go to. Most people in the pubs are quite friendly and the night can usually end with you joining their table or having them join yours. Also, if you’re looking for something to do or want to meet new people you can just go find a pub you’ve never been to. The pub scene has helped my friend group become a bit more extroverted.

Have you had a chance to explore the stunning Irish countryside? What was that experience like?

I haven’t had the chance to fully explore the countryside, but you can see its beauty almost everywhere you go. I can see the green hills of the countryside from my bedroom window. Also, if you’re visiting any neighboring towns by bus or train, you usually get a glimpse of the rolling hills as you pass by as well as large herds of cows with the occasional horse. It’s easy to stare at your phone while on transportation, but it’s even easier to gaze out into the beautiful countryside.

How does studying at an Irish university compare to the academic experience back in the U.S.?

I’ve noticed that I barely have any homework to do. This allows me to do other things with my time, but the assignments that I do have usually take a lot of time and effort to complete. Also, my classes here are much longer, but they happen only once a week. Back in the U.S., I’ll usually have two hours of homework for each class, and have a one-and-a-half-hour class or a two-hour class twice a week.

Adin Jepsky ’26—Madrid, Spain

A marketing major from Bradenton, Fla., and a member of the men’s volleyball team

What’s your go-to tapas dish, and why do you love it?

The best tapas I have had in Spain are from 100 Montaditos. They give a diverse menu of 100 different bite-sized sandwiches that are only one euro each. Enjoying a nice tinto de verano while eating some sandwiches with friends has been an absolute highlight of my tapas experience.

My favorite tapas were actually from a local Filipino restaurant. I was surprised to discover this, but grabbing a nice bowl of pho reminds me of home in California. Although Filipino cuisine does not necessarily have tapas, they have modified their cuisine to fit to Spanish culture. I ordered steamed pork bao buns not expecting much, but they were amazing. They were smaller than normal buns, so they can be seen as a small snack instead of a full meal. I think about them often and how much I want to have them again.

Have you had the chance to see any Flamenco performances? How did it feel to witness this traditional art form?

I have not been able to yet, but a close friend of mine has and she said it was very interesting. She said it was unlike anything she had experienced before. There was no other background music besides the Flamenco dancers’ voices, guitar, and the tapping of their shoes (which she said was almost like tap dancing). They had extravagant clothes that the dancers changed into multiple times throughout the show.

As a student-athlete, you are still currently playing volleyball abroad. Can you tell us a little bit about that experience?

As someone who is used to playing volleyball five to seven days a week, playing in Spain has been a breath of fresh air. I have only been playing three days a week if it fits with my schedule. Practices are late, so I have time to get homework done and eat a good meal before practice. The team was also super accepting of my teammate and me, even if our Spanish isn’t perfect. It has been really fun to learn a different style of a sport I have grown up with, as well as being taught lingo by Spanish natives.

How has navigating the famous Spanish siesta schedule impacted your daily routine?

Honestly, I was not aware of the siesta schedule until we were here and educated on it. I am a huge fan. As someone who loves taking naps and manages to take one every day, it was an easy adaptation! My only problem is that it starts at 5 or 5:30 p.m., depending on the day. The only reason this is problematic is that I get out of class at 5 p.m. every day so I usually have to cook after class instead of grabbing food.