--- title: First Week Studying Abroad at John Cabot University description: If you are interested in studying abroad in Rome, Italy, read on to see how an American's first week at John Cabot University went! image: https://blog.johncabot.edu/hubfs/Blog%20Post%20Feature%20Resizer%20(4)-1.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 # First Week Studying Abroad at John Cabot University November 5, 2021 SHARE [mailto:?body=https://blog.johncabot.edu/first-week-study-abraod](mailto:?body=https://blog.johncabot.edu/first-week-study-abraod) ![Study abroad student posing in front of famous view of Rome](https://blog.johncabot.edu/hubfs/Blog%20Post%20Feature%20Resizer%20(4)-1.jpg) SHARE [mailto:?body=https://blog.johncabot.edu/first-week-study-abraod](mailto:?body=https://blog.johncabot.edu/first-week-study-abraod) ![Christina Gambrell](https://blog.johncabot.edu/hubfs/ChristinaG.jpg) Written By [Christina Gambrell](https://blog.johncabot.edu/author/christina-gambrell) Topic [Undergraduate](https://blog.johncabot.edu/tag/undergraduate), [Study Abroad](https://blog.johncabot.edu/tag/study-abroad), [Academics](https://blog.johncabot.edu/tag/academics), [Rome](https://blog.johncabot.edu/tag/rome) My first week [studying abroad](https://www.johncabot.edu/admissions/study-abroad-rome-italy/default.aspx) at [John Cabot University](https://www.johncabot.edu/)was interesting, new, and unique. From seeing beautiful buildings with great architecture to missing home and feeling homesick, I experienced many things. I met so many new people in such a short period of time, filled out so many pieces of paperwork, and experienced severe jet lag. Besides the busyness of my first week abroad, it was very different from what I was used to from my home school in America. Instead of being surrounded by people I had known and grown with for years, I was now surrounded by people who I had never met before in a city that I had never traveled to.   ##### A New Experience When I arrived in Italy it was challenging for me as I had never experienced being in a place so far from home and away from the people I knew and loved. There were times where I felt very homesick and missed certain things from home. The unfamiliarity with the new environment that I was in was difficult to adapt to at first. However, this unfamiliarity progressively changed into a strong sense of belonging as I began to learn my way through the large city of Rome.   ![Study abroad student taking a photo in front of the Trevi fountain](https://blog.johncabot.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/trevi-jpg.jpeg?width=769&name=trevi-jpg.jpeg) *Christina Gambrell at the Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy*   ##### Facing Challenges During my first week abroad, I faced various challenges like navigating through the city and feeling homesick. Instead of avoiding these challenges, I decided to face them by stepping outside of my comfort zone. I decided to meet, talk, and engage with other people and this made me feel more comfortable with the new environment that I was in. I learned how to use public transportation for the first time and tried many amazing foods. At first, certain things like walking through the city and meeting new people was intimidating. However, as I stepped outside of my comfort zone, I progressively became more comfortable in my new environment.   ![IMG_9662 copy](https://blog.johncabot.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_9662%20copy.jpg?width=742&name=IMG_9662%20copy.jpg) *Fontana dell'Acqua Paola in Rome, Italy* ##### Stepping Out of my Comfort Zone Stepping outside of my comfort zone was very helpful to me during my first week abroad because I was able to see how much I was capable of doing in a new place. Because I stepped outside of my comfort zone by talking to new people, engaging in new activities, and trying new things, I am now more aware of who I am and what I can accomplish. I now know that I can handle many challenges that may appear to be insurmountable at first and I can face various challenges that help me to think critically.   **Are you strongly considering an** [**American university in Italy**](https://www.johncabot.edu/)**?** **Be sure to contact John Cabot University today!** [Previous Post](https://blog.johncabot.edu/explore-your-path-in-entrepreneurship-when-you-study-abroad?hsLang=en) [View all posts](https://blog.johncabot.edu) [Next Post](https://blog.johncabot.edu/celebrating-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-in-the-community-at-jcu?hsLang=en) ### Subscribe Here! ### Recommended Reading [Undergraduate](https://blog.johncabot.edu/topic/undergraduate?hsLang=en) [Study Abroad](https://blog.johncabot.edu/topic/study-abroad?hsLang=en) [Academics](https://blog.johncabot.edu/topic/academics?hsLang=en) [Rome](https://blog.johncabot.edu/topic/rome?hsLang=en) ##### [10 Ways Studying at an American University in Rome Differs from College in the U.S.](https://blog.johncabot.edu/american-university-in-italy-vs-us?hsLang=en) By [John Cabot University](https://blog.johncabot.edu/author/jcuadmissions) / July 3, 2026 [Continue Reading](https://blog.johncabot.edu/american-university-in-italy-vs-us?hsLang=en) [Undergraduate](https://blog.johncabot.edu/topic/undergraduate?hsLang=en) [Study Abroad](https://blog.johncabot.edu/topic/study-abroad?hsLang=en) [Academics](https://blog.johncabot.edu/topic/academics?hsLang=en) [Rome](https://blog.johncabot.edu/topic/rome?hsLang=en) ##### [Top 3 Student Clubs to Join at John Cabot University in Rome](https://blog.johncabot.edu/student-life-clubs-jcu-rome?hsLang=en) By [Elba Maria Peña](https://blog.johncabot.edu/author/elba-maria-peña) / May 8, 2026 [Continue Reading](https://blog.johncabot.edu/student-life-clubs-jcu-rome?hsLang=en) [Undergraduate](https://blog.johncabot.edu/topic/undergraduate?hsLang=en) [Study Abroad](https://blog.johncabot.edu/topic/study-abroad?hsLang=en) [Academics](https://blog.johncabot.edu/topic/academics?hsLang=en) [Rome](https://blog.johncabot.edu/topic/rome?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) ### 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 »