KSU Italy
The Journey of a Lifetime
KSU Italy is more than a trip – it's a transformative educational experience we’ve been proud to offer students since 1999! Learn from your fellow Owls where your education can take you.
What a privilege it was to get to be with such an incredible group of people all in these 5 weeks. Never in my life did I think that I would be drowning in love, kindness, and adventure and that I would grow to love so many people in such a short amount of time. I have truly found family in you all! Choosing to study abroad was the best decision I've ever made. God knows I needed ya'll. I can confidently say that Italy, and the wonderful people I met through this program, brought my spark back.
Having the opportunity to study abroad in Italy was truly an experienced of a lifetime!! I had the chance to explore 10 different cities while studying abroad, including Orvieto, Pisa, Cinque Terre, Florence, Rome, Pompeii, Bologna, Venice, the Amalfi, and of course, Montepulciano, our home base. We had the chance to live like locals and experience the various cultures of food, wine, and family, which is what our fellow students and faculty felt like by the end. I had the unforgettable opportunity to meet such amazing, bright individuals that had the same adventurous spirit that I did. Most of all, I will never forget the feeling of independence and responsibility that Italy gave me. I learned lessons, met people, and had experience that I will remember for a lifetime. Italy, and our new found family, will always have a piece of my heart and I can't wait to potentially live there one day!!
Aman
Summer 2025
My time in Montepulciano was transformative, teaching me about Italian culture, the town, and myself. Arriving without knowing anyone pushed me out of my comfort zone, fostering strong bonds through shared experiences like walking everywhere, which became a favorite part of the trip. Facing the language barrier was humbling but encouraged me to practice Italian with confidence. A highlight was interviewing Silvia Loniga of the Consorzio del Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, which revealed the complexity, tradition, and quality standards of Tuscany’s wine industry. Life there moved slower than in the U.S., reminding me of the value of stillness, gratitude, and balance. I admired how locals prioritized family, tradition, and connection over status.
The experience deepened my appreciation for small conveniences at home while reshaping my view of what it means to live well. I’d highly recommend this program for an authentic, immersive cultural experience beyond what a vacation or classroom can provide.
Wainaina
Summer 2025Let's Hear From You!
Students - want to share your story? Let us know about your KSU Italy experience for a chance to be featured on our website or social media.
I did the two-week Maymester program in Montepulciano, Italy, and loved every moment of it. Our study abroad group took language and culture classes from 9am-5pm almost every day. Learning about the region’s history and language was a major highlight of the trip. It helped that my study abroad had fantastic teachers, both Tuscan locals and KSU professors, who made the material feel fun and interesting. Our study abroad group stayed in apartments that overlooked the countryside, and we had many opportunities to discuss everyday life with local people.
Of course, it’s impossible to talk about Italy without discussing the food. I’m a vegetarian, and I found many delicious meals while there. My favorite was probably ribollita, a regional vegetable soup. Prepping and cooking the food ourselves was rewarding, especially since it came out so good. Overall, I am so blessed to have been a part of this trip. I only wish I could have stayed longer.
Ahlan
Summer 2024
In Montepulciano, I connected with history and art in a way I never had before. It is much easier to understand the implications and impacts of what you are studying when you can observe them in person. The museums and monument trips were some of my favorite parts of the Montepulciano experience. Another would be the close friends I made. As a commuter student, I have sometimes struggled to feel connected to campus, but after my first study abroad, I was able to dive into more campus life and activities and feel welcome and accepted.
When I came home from my first study abroad, I felt like I knew myself better than I ever had before. Getting away from my routine helped me to remember the things I wanted and what I was interested in, apart from the craziness of home life. When I went into my first study abroad, I knew it would be unlike anything I had experienced before. What I didn’t know was that I would also find a deeper understanding of myself and the world around me, and I could not be more grateful for it.
MJ
Summer 2024
I cannot imagine a better country to spend time as your first experience living abroad than Italy. The serenity of the country alone is enough to want to move there, to get away. The food was outstanding and the people were so friendly…I felt so safe there even walking around on my own when it was dark, it was so homey and peaceful, the music, the food, the people, everything was safe and exciting but peaceful.
I met a part of myself that I didn’t know existed until I lived abroad and it got me interested in traveling abroad more often…Dr. Harper was the director of our trip and was absolutely incredible. It was cool to see the professors in this way because we got to know them more personally while exploring cities we had never been to, as they showed us the things they were excited about in each one. I really loved connecting with the students in a deeper way than you could in a classroom because we were on a five week adventure…The fortezza where we had classes was absolutely lovely…I would recommend this trip specifically to anyone and everyone.
Evy
Summer 2023
The memories that I made while in Italy were ones that I think every student should have the opportunity to enjoy. Not only is studying abroad fun and exciting, but it is a transformative experience. My perspective on the world and the people within it has been transformed. Engaging with people from different walks of life allows students to elevate their education and practice empathy.
My trip has widened the horizon of what possibilities I envision lie ahead. I gained a new sense of independence and ambition from studying abroad, which has led me to have greater expectations for my future and those around me. Ultimately, Italy is a beautiful country, and my time there caused me to expand my worldview.
Dallas
Summer 2023