Lauren Mohs ’26

Program: Italy Semester

Major: Biology

Minor: Hispanic Studies

Why did you choose to study abroad and how did you decide on this program?

I decided to study abroad in the beginning of 2024 and then applied to the fall program in Italy for the same year. I wanted to bring myself out of my comfort zone and do something completely different for a change. I had always thought about studying abroad, but a part of me was scared. At some point I decided to go forward with it, and I do not regret it whatsoever. Going to Italy was always on my radar since it was one of the places that I wanted to visit most.

Briefly describe a specific cultural experience you had on your program that made a lasting impression.

While living in Rome, we had to adapt to a new way of living. I took pride in being able to experience Rome from a cultural standpoint and I loved to get to know the city as a part of their community. One thing that they told us upon arrival is that we were not tourists, but rather we were part of their community. It made the whole experience more welcoming for me and I was more able to immerse myself into Italian culture.

Based on your experiences abroad, what are some of the benefits of spending a semester abroad? How has studying abroad contributed to your personal, academic, and professional development?

Spending time abroad will widen your worldview much more than you may ever expect. I was not expecting to be as impacted by this experience as much as I was. Every single aspect of living in Rome for four months has changed me into a more confident, independent, and understanding person. This is not only on a personal level, but on an academic and professional level as well. I can already tell that the things that I learned while abroad are impacting my academic goals in a positive way. I have a better understanding of topics pertaining to culture, diversity, gender, ethnicity, race, and much more. These topics were all highlighted in our study abroad seminar class while abroad.

What advice can you offer for CSB+SJU students who are considering or planning to study abroad?

This is an experience that I strongly believe you will never regret doing. As long as you keep up with the work and take time to prepare for your travels abroad, you will succeed. Along with this, I found it helpful to set goals for myself. It was difficult to adjust at first, but once I found a routine it got much better for me. It is worth it in the end.