Share Your Story

Merrill Ann (Fall 2023)
JSB was such a transformative opportunity that I will forever be grateful for. As a student during the 20th anniversary year, my cohort was able to experience such a wide variety of experiences during our 3 month stay. Some of my favorite memories include swimming in the Mediterranean Sea, stomping grapes and picking olives during harvest season, making pasta from scratch, attending an Italian Opera, learning how to make cappuccinos and more! I am grateful for the chance to call Ariccia my home away from home!

Chloe (Fall 2022)
I participated in the JSB program during the Fall of 2022 with 9 other girls who turned into some of my very best friends. Prior to departure, I was nervous and anxious about traveling and living with strangers; however, it was the most rewarding experience that I have had thus far! JSB provides an incredibly unique environment for students to learn, travel, and build lasting relationships with people they may have otherwise never met. JSB is an incredibly empowering experience where I was able to foster my own independence, curiosity for the world, and strengthen the relationship with myself and my peers. I would go back to Ariccia in a heartbeat, and I would recommend this unique and incredible program to anyone looking for a life- changing study abroad.

Sarah (Fall 2022)
My experience as a Joseph S. Bruno student transformed the way I think about the world and interact with others. I knew going into the semester that it would be life-changing, but it was impossible to predict the extent of that change. JSB made me so much more independent and confident in my ability to navigate challenging situations and has blessed me with deep and meaningful friendships that will last my whole life. Living in the beautiful Chigi Palace in a town rich in culture and history is a great privilege, and getting to explore the beautiful country of Italy with Ariccia as my home base was an experience I will treasure forever. From swimming in the Mediterranean Sea, visiting the world's largest royal palace, milking a buffalo, and exploring a monastery built into a cave, to simply sitting quietly with a cappuccino at the cafe where the barista knows your name, Joseph S. Bruno gave me the best semester of my life- I don’t think a better study abroad exists. I owe the world to everyone who makes this program possible.

Maggie (Fall 2022)
I first attended the JSB program as student in the fall of 2022, and I immediately fell in love with the town of Ariccia. The people there were so eager to interact with us that I was able to unlock a cultural learning experience I wouldn’t have had anywhere else. The program staff also guided me through my semester so that by the end I felt confident I could successfully interact with people from other cultures. Because I had such a positive experience as a student, I made the choice to come back as a TA in the fall of 2023. This was a very special semester, as we were celebrating the 20 th anniversary of the program. On top of all the regular program activities, I was able to assist my students in learning about the history of the program during a week spent celebrating the anniversary with special guests from Auburn. Throughout both of my semesters abroad, I was able to see how hard the program staff and all the behind-the-scenes people work to make this program so unique and impactful for all JSB participants. However, I was especially aware of this fact working as a TA to bring our goals as JSB staff to fruition and seeing the positive outcomes for our students. I am so grateful to have been a part of the JSB program and hope it continues to leave a lasting mark for many Auburn students in the future!

Yasmine (Spring 2024)
The JSB Program was an incredible and transformative experience. I have so many great memories, from swimming in the Mediterranean in Sicily, visiting wineries in Tuscany, learning to cook delicious Italian dishes, eating from local markets, dancing with the elderly community, volunteering with Caritas, and touring the eternal city of Rome and Pompeii with the best guide (Ettore), to visiting Bologna, and learning so much from Lydia, Cinzia, Roberta, Francesco, and Maurizio. Every day was filled with new discoveries and unforgettable adventures. Personally, serving as a Teacher’s Assistant (TA) allowed me to gain valuable professional experience. As a Honduran, adapting to a group of U.S. students in an Italian setting added a enriching layer to the experience. My students were truly wonderful. They were curious, supportive, and eager to learn, which made my role even more rewarding. Overall, I am grateful for the opportunity and everything that made my time in Italy truly meaningful. To anyone considering being part of the program, I encourage you to take the leap. It's a life-changing experience that will shape you in ways you never expect and stay with you long after you leave Italy.

Casey (Fall 2016)
I loved my time in Italy so much that I actually came back a decade later for my wedding! While I loved all of our coursework, professors, and weekday field trips my favorite part of our study abroad program was the opportunity to travel on the weekends to experience other countries and cultures. During my semester I was able to visit several capital cities and used my 10 day fall break to travel to England, Scotland, and Ireland. But my favorite weekend trip was spent skiing the Italian and Swiss side of the Alps near the Matterhorn!

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