Bologna: La Dotta, La Grassa, e La Rossa!

SLU PT Study Abroad Opportunity: Bologna
By Martha Briscoe, DPT Class of 2021

When I first told people that I was studying in Bologna, my response was most often a confused face paired with a puzzled, “Where’s that?” Not many people know where Bologna is located, or have even heard of this fantastic Italian city, which to me made it even more intriguing. I chose to study in Bologna particularly because I did not know much about it, and because I only knew of one other person studying there from SLU. Although there ended up being 5 SLU students going, I was urged to branch out of my comfort zone more than I believe I would have if I had chosen to study in Madrid, Rome, or Galway (which were my other competing options). I had travelled to Italy before on a 12-day excursion in high school, seeing many different cities and learning about the Italian culture. Although I had never been to Bologna, I wanted to go somewhere in Italy and a new city filled with new experiences sounded like a wonderful plan.

Giahanna Martorano (SLU PT ’21) and I on
Mount Etna, Sicily, an active volcano

Bologna, “La Rossa”

Bologna really threw me for a loop. I expected an Italian city much like the ones I visited before, like Florence and Rome. These cities are huge, filled with fashionable people and tourists, art on every corner, and fantastic architecture. Upon my arrival in Bologna, I quickly learned how different this city is from the idea I had envisioned. The city of Bologna is home to the World’s first university, the University of Bologna founded in 1088 AD. Bologna is a center of culture and learning, with over 100,000 students living in the city, which is why it is known as “La Dotta,” or “The Learned”.

View from my favorite study spot in Piazza Santo Stefano (pictured: The Church of 7 Churches)

The streets are full of life every night of the week, and each day every street and coffee shop is stuffed with students and young adults. Additionally, Bologna is known as the “La Rossa” or “The Red” because of its characteristic medieval architecture crafted from red bricks. Many of the medieval buildings, cathedrals, and basilicas are filled with medieval art and sculpture. The center of the city is largely the original architecture from the medieval ages, with draw bridges and iron gates, adding a whimsical feature to my walk to class.

View from my favorite study spot in Piazza Santo Stefano (pictured: The Church of 7 Churches)

 Some of the unique features to my semester in Bologna are the program’s initiative for immersing American students in the Italian culture, as well as learning about some Italian politics. The Spring Hill College Bologna Center arranges for students to live in the Camplus Alma Mater dorm with approximately 100 other Italian students. American students also have the opportunity to apply to live in an apartment within a Jesuit Residence closer to the center of the city.

Art of one of the Medieval Palaces we visited
in the center of the city for my art history class

I lived in the dorm with one random roommate. Her name was Emily, and she was from Spring Hill College in Alabama, and we quickly became best friends. Living in such close proximity to Italians was an awesome way to keep up with speaking the Italian language, and even allowed us to have some personal tour guides of the city, leading us to some of the best Italian Cuisine, why Bologna is also known as “La Grassa” or “The Fat.”

Italian Cuisine

View of Bologna from one of the 2 leaning towers in the city center

Social justice was the main focus of our semester abroad, where the Spring Hill College program arranges for two trips around Europe with this focus. Our first 10-day trip, included in the tuition we paid for the semester, was to Syracuse in Sicily, and Valetta, in Malta. In Malta, we learned about the culture and heritage of this very small island country. As an island in the Mediterranean, they have an ongoing influx of migrants from Africa and the Middle East. Sicily faces similar migrant population influences, and we had the opportunity to spend time in a migrant boys’ camp for minors. We played soccer with the boys, and learned about their situations and circumstances of fleeing their countries.

Soccer Tournament with Migrants

The second trip was optional, and we went to 5 cities in Poland over our fall break. We learned about the Solidarity movement in Poland during the time of WWII and the Cold War, and visited Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp just outside of Krakow, a very moving experience.

In front of USSR monument in Warsaw, Poland 

City walls on the Mediteranean in Syracuse, Sicily Palace

Port of Valetta, Malta from the Citadel 

During other weekends, I travelled to many different countries and cities in Italy. Bologna is very easy and inexpensive to travel from with its airport in this central European location and major Italian train station. Some of the most remarkable places I visited were Salzburg and Vienna in Austria, and Split in Croatia.

Me in Salzburg, Austria     

Split, Croatia from the top of Diocletian’s Palace

Croatia is a beautiful country with mountains and ancient Roman influences scattered around the coast of the Mediterranean. Austria is a country from a fairytale book, home to many famous castles and composers, such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. However, I have to say my most favorite experience was Munich, Germany.

View of Neuschwanstein Castle outside of Munich 

I met up with some friends who were studying in Madrid for the annual Oktoberfest celebration. Although I lost my phone on the metro, I had no complaints about the city, and the German cuisine reminded me of me home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Emily Neary (SLU PT ’21) and I celebrating Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany

All-in-all, Bologna is a hidden gem in the northern mountains of Italy, from the amazing Italian cuisine to the beautiful architecture, I will always feel that this city is a small part of home to me. I miss it every day and I cannot wait for my next opportunity to visit Bologna: La Dotta, La Grassa, e La Rossa!

This is one of several posts featuring SLU PT Student study abroad experiences. Because of its unique format, the SLU PT program gives students the ability to study abroad the fall of their junior year. For more information about study abroad experiences at SLU go to: http://www.slu.edu/study-abroad.

Meet the PT StuCo Board for 2018-2019!

Ryan TeKolste

Ryan TeKolste, Co-President

Position: Co-President
Year: PY I
Hometown: Denver, CO
Why did you want to become a PT?
I've always been fascinated by the human body, and specifically the neuromusculoskeletal system.
Favorite thing to do in St. Louis?
You ever wanna go for a run in Forest Park and/or eat Salt and Smoke, I'm your guy!
Fun fact: I've eaten a bowl of Life cereal almost every morning for as long as I can remember.

Jacob Mileham

Jacob Mileham, Co-President

Position: Co-President

Year: PY I

Hometown: Rochester, IL

Why did you want to become a PT?

I've always found the human body incredibly fascinating. After taking an anatomy course in high school, I knew I needed to learn more about everything that is happening in my own body. As a future PT I will be able to use this knowledge everyday, and help people return to whatever their normal life may be.

Favorite thing to do in St. Louis?

Blues hockey games!

Fun fact: I climb stairs for fun

Allison Drury

Allison Drury, VP of Programming

Position: VP of Programming

Year: Junior

Hometown: Bloomsdale, MO

Why did you want to become a PT?

What originally spurred my interest was my huge obsession with the St. Louis Cardinals. I thought it'd be incredible if I could work for them by helping the players recover from injury. While that is a huge dream, I still will love PT whether or not I ever work for the Cardinals. I love science, studying the human body and how it heals through exercise, and I love children so I am definitely interested in pediatrics.

Favorite thing to do in St. Louis?

I love concerts and Cardinal games

Fun fact: I stood about 15 ft away from Pope Francis

Kelsey Bequette

Kelsey Bequette, VP of Programming

Position: VP of Programming

Year: Junior

Hometown: Hallsville, MO

Why did you want to become a PT?

I wanted to become a PT because I love helping people and I enjoy science, so what better profession than one where I get to do two of the things I love everyday!

Favorite thing to do in St. Louis?

Try new ice cream places!

Fun fact: I have held a koala!

Lauren Groszek

Lauren Groszek, VP of Fundraising

Position: VP of Fundraising

Year: Junior

Hometown: Leawood, KS

Why did you want to become a PT?

I was always really interested in science and injuries, considering I was constantly injured as a kid. This meant I was in and out of PT a lot, and I formed a great relationship with my therapist because he made exercise fun and pushed me to bounce back faster. I love the idea of being able to help someone get back to doing something they love and increasing happiness this way!

Favorite thing to do in St. Louis?

Try new ice cream places and hammock when the weather is nice!

Fun fact: I am a 4th degree black belt

Marybeth Galick

Marybeth Galick, VP of Fundraising

Position: VP of Fundraising

Year: PY I

Hometown: Homer Glen, IL

Why did you want to become a PT?

I always had a deep interest in wanting to work in health care and physical therapy stands out as a career that "fits" me. I enjoy interacting and getting to know patients, learning how and why physical therapists perform a particular maneuver or why this stretch/exercise is more beneficial than the others.

Favorite thing to do in St. Louis?

Food Truck Fridays

Fun fact: I have two different colored eyes: one is blue & the other is green ; )

Lauren Foster

Lauren Foster, VP of Service

Position: VP of Service

Year: Sophomore

Hometown: Naperville, IL

Why did you want to become a PT?

I want to become a Physical Therapist to empower others in restoring and maintaining their physical and psychological health and wellbeing.

Favorite thing to do in St. Louis?

My favorite thing to do in St. Louis is enjoy the weather outside and go to the zoo!

Fun fact: I was a competitive dancer in all styles

Natalia Samborska

Natalie Samborska, VP of Service

Position: VP of Service

Year: Freshman

Hometown: Hickory Hills, IL

Why did you want to become a PT?

I want to become a PT to help other people and because I think the body/ how it all functions is fascinating.

Favorite thing to do in St. Louis?

Visit new coffee shops

Fun fact: I was born in Poland

Caroline Lipic

Caroline Lipic, VP of Philanthropy

Position: VP of Philanthropy
Year: PY I
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Why did you want to become a PT?
I wanted to become a PT because I wanted a job in which I would be active, helping people, and was in the healthcare field. I enjoy problem solving in order to come up with effective methods in order to serve the patient within the rehab setting while forming a relationship with the patient. It has been four years now, and I am still loving it!
Favorite thing to do in St. Louis?
I enjoy exploring City Museum, riding bikes through forest park, and going to Cardinal’s games.
Fun fact: My little sister is taller than me and is a freshman in the OT Program.

Nina Valaitis

Nina Valaitis, VP of Alumni Relations

Position: VP of Alumni Relations

Year: Junior

Hometown: Oswego, IL

Why did you want to become a PT?

I wanted to become a PT because I find exercise and anatomy super exciting and I learned about this fantastic profession from my mom who is a physical therapist. 

Favorite thing to do in St. Louis?

My favorite thing to do in St. Louis is to spend time in Forest Park.

Fun fact: In August, I walked 900 kilometers on the Way of St. James from the border of France to the most western point of Spain.

Stephanie Kim

Stephanie Kim, VP of Alumni Relations

Position: VP of Alumni Relations

Year: Junior

Hometown: St. Louis, MO

Why did you want to become a PT?

I wanted to become a PT because I have always been interested in the healthcare field and also love being active and making new relationships with other people!

Favorite thing to do in St. Louis?

Exploring the city through new places to EAT!

Fun fact: I love dogs and SLU so much that I made an Instagram account on them!!  (@DogsOfSLU)

Kathleen Sullivan

Kathleen Sullivan, Treasurer

Position: Treasurer

Year: Freshman

Hometown: Aurora, CO

Why did you want to become a PT?

I love working with people and I think the human body is super interesting!

Favorite thing to do in St. Louis?

Exploring different ice cream places

Fun fact: I was a martial arts instructor for two years

Melissa Hussey

Melissa Hussey, Secretary

Position: Secretary

Year: PY I

Hometown: Redmond, WA

Why did you want to become a PT?

I was injured in high school and had to go through PT as part of my recovery. The way my therapist explained the science and anatomy of how the body works and compensates for abnormal movement entirely intrigued me. I've been hooked ever since!

Favorite thing to do in St. Louis?

I love exploring the St. Louis food scene as much as possible!

Fun fact: If I could live off of avocados, I would!

SLU PT Study Abroad Opportunity - Galway, Ireland

Sláinte from Galway
by Laura Erb, DPT Class of 2021

I chose to study abroad in Galway, Ireland because I wanted to have an experience that was different from Madrid and in a much smaller city. As a city of around 80,000 people, Galway is in the west of Ireland, but still only 2.5 hours away from the country’s biggest city, Dublin. I also chose Ireland because the country itself is beautiful, and I wanted to spend much of my time abroad getting to know my host country.

While preparing to go abroad, I expected to be really overwhelmed with the unknowns of living in a new country for 4 months. Housing for SLU students in Galway is in off-campus apartments, and I also didn’t know who my roommates would be until I arrived. I was nervous for all the unexpected surprises I would inevitably face, but was excited to make memories that would last a lifetime!

What surprised me the most about Ireland is how laid-back everyone is. In the United States, most people are constantly rushing and stressed about getting things done, but that is less of a concern in Ireland – I didn’t even register for classes until I arrived in Galway, and my classes themselves often started late with the teacher being the last person to walk in the room. I quickly learned to be much more flexible with my time and embraced a more relaxed lifestyle like the Irish.

During my time abroad, I did a lot of traveling around Europe, but because Ireland is such a small country, I was able to explore many places there as well. From standing on the edge of the Cliffs of Moher to kissing the Blarney Stone to exploring 15th century castles, I gained a huge appreciation for the beauty of my host country. There is so much history in Europe that we simply don’t have in the United States, and everywhere I travelled I couldn’t help thinking about how old everything is compared to home.

Studying abroad is an opportunity and privilege that I’d recommend anyone to take advantage of if they can, especially because it is already built into the PT curriculum. Living in a new country for 4 months gave me an experience that I wouldn’t have been able to get any other way, and I gained an outside perspective of the United States that I will have for the rest of my life. I absolutely recommend studying abroad in Galway, and I cannot wait for the day when I can return to the beautiful country of Ireland!

This is one of several posts featuring SLU PT Student study abroad experiences. Because of its unique format, the SLU PT program gives students the ability to study abroad the fall of their junior year. For more information about study abroad experiences at SLU go to: http://www.slu.edu/study-abroad.