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COLUMBIA, Mo. – Two University of Missouri soccer student-athletes, freshman Monica Brauner and junior Milena Fischer participated in a two-week study abroad program in Italy through the architecture program.
The program is designed for the students to learn to see with more than their eyes and beyond the surface. “It was a great way to make a just rather boring historical architecture course super exciting and interesting. This way, we were fully engaged in the buildings we learned about, and we learned about culture and architecture while seeing the things in real life,” said Fischer.
The pair explored a country rich in culture and architecture that spans from ancient to contemporary, including visits to the Colosseum, Sistine Chapel, Doge’s Palace and Pompeii, or Brauner’s favorite, St. Peter’s Cathedral.
On a trip that made stops in Rome, Florence, Venice and a few small towns throughout Italy, the students developed multicultural awareness and understanding of the social, political and physical influences affecting the historical changes in design. Fischer stated, “By being in this country and meeting its people, you always learn a lot about the culture. I think just engaging with people and navigating new environments increases social skills and makes you grow from uncomfortable and unknown situations.”
When asked about advice to others, both agreed that it was an opportunity worth taking. “If it is an option for you to participate in a study abroad, take the opportunity and learn what you can from the experience,” said Brauner. Fischer added, “It always looks rather scary at the beginning to commit to something like that, especially if you don’t know anybody else in the program, but it pays off one hundred percent.”
The full quotes from the duo are available below. The Tigers return to action in their regular-season opener, Aug. 17, against SEMO at Walton Stadium. For a complete look at the 2023 schedule click here.
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Full Quotes
What was your favorite part of the trip/ experience?
Brauner: “My favorite part of the trip was going into St. Peter’s Cathedral in Rome.”
Fischer: “My favorite part was probably going up the dome in Florence. We went up super narrow and old stairs reaching the top of the dome where we had a great view of the city. We were climbing up in between the outer and inner dome of the church, which was a great way to get super close to the architectural elements supporting the structure.
How did the experience aid you academically?
Brauner: “It gave me a chance to see architectural elements in person rather than just talking about them in the classroom.
Fischer: “It was a great way to make a just rather boring historical architecture course super exciting and interesting. This way we were fully engaged in the buildings we learned about, and we learned about culture and architecture while seeing the things in real life.”
How did studying abroad help your personal growth?
Brauner: “Doing this study abroad put me in a different environment and gave me a chance to experience another culture.”
Fischer: “By being in this country and meeting its people, you always learn a lot about the culture. I think just engaging with people and navigating new environments also always increases social skills and makes you grow from uncomfortable and unknown situations.”
What advice would you give to someone who is considering a study abroad program?
Brauner: “If it is an option for you to participate in a study abroad, take the opportunity and learn what you can from the experience. “
Fischer: “I would definitely recommend doing a study abroad like this to everybody else. It was a great experience where not only learned a lot but also made many new friends within my department. It always looks rather scary at the beginning to commit to something like that, especially if you don’t know anybody else in the program, but it pays off one hundred percent.”
