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As an evening degree student, Heather Symmes ’07 didn’t
realize at first that she could take advantage of Oglethorpe
University Students Abroad trips, but this summer she made up
for lost time as she joined 21 other students on a trip to
Italy.
“I had always wanted to go to Italy, and this trip far
surpassed my wishes,” Heather said. “I relished the wonderful
overdose of history, art and culture.”
The group, led by Dr. Jeffrey Collins, took in many sites,
stopping in Rome, Venice, Padova, Ravenna, Florence, Assisi,
Sorrento, Capri, Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast.
“The first day we landed, we literally dropped our bags at
the hotel and went directly to the Coliseum,” said Heather who
works as a marketing director for a startup music video channel.
“I got misty-eyed because I have studied Roman history for so
long, and there it was in real life. It was incredible!”
When Heather, who has lived in Atlanta for 16 years, thought
of finishing her degree in communications, Oglethorpe’s program
quickly rose to the top of her list. “I really wanted that
familiar feeling of an intimate, small university setting. The
thought of being a number in an auditorium with 200 other
students in a large university just sent me over the edge,” she
said. “Plus I love having access to my professors and being
friends with so many of the evening students.”
With a minor in art, Heather was excited to experience
Italy’s masterpieces firsthand while earning credit for Italian
Renaissance Art History. “This study abroad trip with Oglethorpe
was like taking 10 different trips to Italy in one,” she said.
“Every penny that we spent to take the trip and the course was
definitely put to use and totally worth it! While I could talk
about all the art, architecture and academia I took away from
this trip, I also learned how much I truly enjoy going outside
my boundaries into unfamiliar countries to be immersed in a
deeply rich culture!” |
