--- title: "Study Abroad Student Spotlight: Gracy Tully, Fall 2016/Spring 2017" description: Freshman year at John Cabot University is the complete opposite of a typical college year in the United States. image: https://blog.johncabot.edu/hubfs/John%20Cabot%20University_SMPhotos-1-3.jpg --- [![JCULogo1](https://blog.johncabot.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/JCULogo1.png?width=300&height=80&name=JCULogo1.png "JCULogo1")](https://blog.johncabot.edu/blog?hsLang=en) [![JCULogo2](https://blog.johncabot.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/JCULogo2.png?width=300&height=82&name=JCULogo2.png "JCULogo2")](https://blog.johncabot.edu/blog?hsLang=en) - [Undergraduate](https://blog.johncabot.edu/tag/undergraduate) - [Graduate](https://blog.johncabot.edu/tag/graduate) - [Study Abroad](https://blog.johncabot.edu/tag/study-abroad) - [Italian](https://blog.johncabot.edu/it/blog) - [Website](https://www.johncabot.edu/) - Filter By Topics - Scegli Il Topic # Study Abroad Student Spotlight: Gracy Tully, Fall 2016/Spring 2017 February 17, 2017 SHARE [mailto:?body=https://blog.johncabot.edu/degree-seeking/study-abroad-student-spotlight-gracy-tully-fall-2016spring-2017](mailto:?body=https://blog.johncabot.edu/degree-seeking/study-abroad-student-spotlight-gracy-tully-fall-2016spring-2017) ![](https://blog.johncabot.edu/hubfs/John%20Cabot%20University_SMPhotos-1-3.jpg) SHARE [mailto:?body=https://blog.johncabot.edu/degree-seeking/study-abroad-student-spotlight-gracy-tully-fall-2016spring-2017](mailto:?body=https://blog.johncabot.edu/degree-seeking/study-abroad-student-spotlight-gracy-tully-fall-2016spring-2017) ![John Cabot University](https://blog.johncabot.edu/hubfs/JCUCrestWhiteonBlue-1.jpg) Written By [John Cabot University](https://blog.johncabot.edu/author/jcuadmissions) Topic [Student Spotlight](https://blog.johncabot.edu/tag/student-spotlight), [Study Abroad](https://blog.johncabot.edu/tag/study-abroad) [Freshman year at John Cabot University](http://www.johncabot.edu/academics/first-year-experience.aspx) is the complete opposite of a typical college year in the United States. My time in Rome has been incredible and unforgettable. At John Cabot, I've taken [political science](http://www.johncabot.edu/political-science-degree/default.aspx) and [international relations](http://www.johncabot.edu/international-affairs-degree/default.aspx) courses with [students from around the world](http://www.johncabot.edu/admissions/enrollment-profile.aspx). Discussing fascism with Italian students or Russia-US relations with Russian students is one of the best learning experiences a student can have. The conversations I’ve had at John Cabot have been invaluable, thought-provoking, and special. Being in Rome during the United States election and the Italian constitution referendum vote taught me so much about international politics. Regardless of your major or academic interests, you will inevitably learn from real-life experiences and interactions at John Cabot. ![open air market in Rome, study abroad in Rome, John cabot university, JCU student spotlight, ](https://blog.johncabot.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/grace1-1-300x265.jpg?width=300&height=265&name=grace1-1-300x265.jpg)When in Rome, you will surely somehow always end up at the Pantheon, eat the best thin crust pizza of your life, watch little old men work in their art studios, wonder why so many stores are closed from 1 to 4 pm, try a chocolate-filled *cornetto* or two, learn that an espresso is called a *caffé*, be in awe of how some buildings are still standing, eat more carbs than you have ever consumed in your life, meet people from every corner of the world, and become a *panino* connoisseur. During our time in Rome, my friends and I saw the canonization of Mother Teresa, listened to the Pope speak at the Spanish Steps, traveled to Paris and Athens, visited cities across Italy, learned some Italian, figured out how to grocery shop and cook for ourselves, saw amazing artwork, explored the Roman Forum, visited the Pope’s summer home in Castel Gandolfo, and fell in love with pizza from Dar Poeta (just around the corner from JCU!). Rome is the place to be if you are willing to take full advantage of your time. Studying abroad is not for everyone - it’s for the adventurous and curious. It’s for those who want to see ![study abroad in Rome, John cabot university, JCU student spotlight, ](https://blog.johncabot.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/grace3-300x177.jpg?width=300&height=177&name=grace3-300x177.jpg)a new part of the world, meet new people, experience culture shock, overcome homesickness, and respect a new culture. Leaving home and venturing off to a different continent requires a certain sense of independence and responsibility. If you’re up for the challenge (and suffering through the visa process), Rome will undoubtedly exceed your expectations with its kind people, fantastic food, and breathtaking sights. Rome is so much more than the Lizzie McGuire movie: it’s a place of eternal history, architectural beauty, and simple living. I feel incredibly lucky and grateful to have enjoyed this opportunity. Watching the sun set over Rome from the top of Gianicolo Hill and seeing golden light bounce off thousands of apartments and monuments while the sky turns a light shade of pink is an experience that makes Rome a place like no other. If you have any hesitations about coming to Rome, I would tell you to just throw them out the window and take the plunge. You won't regret it. ![GraceTully](https://blog.johncabot.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/GraceTully-150x150.jpg?width=150&height=150&name=GraceTully-150x150.jpg) Grace Tully Study Abroad Fall 2016/Spring 2017 Major: International Relations Hometown: Ojai, California [Previous Post](https://blog.johncabot.edu/academics/3-reasons-to-study-international-affairs-at-john-cabot-university?hsLang=en) [View all posts](https://blog.johncabot.edu) [Next Post](https://blog.johncabot.edu/academics/5-ways-to-take-full-advantage-of-jcus-library?hsLang=en) ### Subscribe Here! ### Recommended Reading [Student Spotlight](https://blog.johncabot.edu/topic/student-spotlight?hsLang=en) [Study Abroad](https://blog.johncabot.edu/topic/study-abroad?hsLang=en) ##### [What Is It Like to Move Alone to Rome for University? A Student Experience at John Cabot University](https://blog.johncabot.edu/moving-to-rome-student-university-experience?hsLang=en) By [Larue Furlani](https://blog.johncabot.edu/author/larue-furlani) / April 30, 2026 [Continue Reading](https://blog.johncabot.edu/moving-to-rome-student-university-experience?hsLang=en) [Student Spotlight](https://blog.johncabot.edu/topic/student-spotlight?hsLang=en) [Study Abroad](https://blog.johncabot.edu/topic/study-abroad?hsLang=en) ##### [Top 5 Experiences You Can’t Miss While Studying Abroad in Rome](https://blog.johncabot.edu/top-experiences-study-abroad-rome?hsLang=en) By [Elba Maria Peña](https://blog.johncabot.edu/author/elba-maria-peña) / April 24, 2026 [Continue Reading](https://blog.johncabot.edu/top-experiences-study-abroad-rome?hsLang=en) [Student Spotlight](https://blog.johncabot.edu/topic/student-spotlight?hsLang=en) [Study Abroad](https://blog.johncabot.edu/topic/study-abroad?hsLang=en) ##### [Studying Abroad in China Through JCU Direct Exchange: Returning to My Roots in Wenzhou](https://blog.johncabot.edu/direct-exchange-study-abroad-china?hsLang=en) By [Mink Goodwin](https://blog.johncabot.edu/author/mink-goodwin) / April 17, 2026 [Continue Reading](https://blog.johncabot.edu/direct-exchange-study-abroad-china?hsLang=en) ### Subscribe and stay up to date ### Subscribe and stay up to date - [Academics](https://www.johncabot.edu/academics/default.aspx) - [Admissions](https://www.johncabot.edu/admissions/default.aspx) - [Student Life](https://www.johncabot.edu/student-life/default.aspx) - [About JCU](https://www.johncabot.edu/about-jcu/default.aspx) - [Studenti Italiani](https://www.johncabot.edu/universita-americana/default.aspx) - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/JohnCabotUniversity) - [Twitter](https://twitter.com/JohnCabotRome) - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/school/john-cabot-university/) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/JohnCabotUniversity) - [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/johncabotuniversity) ![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/3067823/phone.svg) [+39066819121](tel:+39066819121) ![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/3067823/email.svg) [admissions@johncabot.edu](mailto:admissions@johncabot.edu) ![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/3067823/address.svg) Via della Lungara 233 00165 Rome, Italy [©](https://a.cms.omniupdate.com/11/?skin=oucampus&account=john-cabot&site=www&action=de&path=/default.pcf) 2025 John Cabot University ### Request Info »