Last semester, student veteran, Jes Scott, traveled to Italy to study abroad at Temple University's Rome campus! Jes served with the Air Force and is now a senior at Temple University studying Art Therapy at the Tyler School of Art and Architecture. We asked Jes about her time in Italy and what it was like using Chapter 31 while abroad! 

What was the most interesting thing you experienced while in Rome?  

Being able to experience another culture, more fully and deeply than I normally would if I was simply on vacation.  

What have you learned from your time abroad?  

That there's a lot of things I don't know! It can be so easy to stay in your own bubble and comfort zone and make assumptions about the world around you, but once you get to experience living abroad you see how big the world really is and start to discover what else is possible in life!

How was it using Chapter 31 abroad?  

Ch.31 was a huge blessing! I didn't get to travel while I was active duty and thought my chances of traveling thanks to the military were over. Thanks to Ch.31 I was able to not only live out a lifelong dream, but I also grew stronger as a person and developed a whole new perspective about life and what's possible in the world! 

What was your favorite place you visited while abroad?  

I stayed in Rome 90% of the time. There's SO much to do and see there! Once the semester ended though, I took every opportunity to jump on a train and travel around Europe. My favorite place- Switzerland! I felt like I was in a fairy tale. 

Have you met any interesting people?  

I made a lot of great friends while studying abroad, from Temple Rome staff, my Roman tour guide and Airbnb hosts who became close friends, and other incredible Americans who were traveling around Europe and living their best life. 

 Jes, we are so happy you had such an amazing experience in Rome! For more information on how to travel abroad visit: https://studyabroad.temple.edu/