From Stranger to Stronger in Rome
A summer study abroad program challenged 麻豆传媒映画 student Lauren Hagen to leave her comfort zone, helping her discover confidence, independence, and a new perspective on the world
Imagine summoning the courage to travel to a different country and going to school where you don鈥檛 know anyone.
That is exactly what Lauren Hagen, a management senior in 麻豆传媒映画鈥檚 Fowler College of Business did.
It turned out to be one of the best experiences in her college life.
鈥淥ne of the biggest challenges for me was stepping outside my comfort zone,鈥� Hagen recalled. 鈥淲hen it was over, I realized it was definitely one of the highlights of my time at 麻豆传媒映画.鈥�
Hagen embarked on a 7-week English-taught study abroad program at John Cabot University in Rome during the summer between her sophomore and junior years to experience personal growth and to immerse herself in a different culture. She chose Rome specifically for the 鈥渉istory, the culture and access to other cities.鈥�
鈥淚 initially thought my schedule was too busy for a study abroad program,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut doing a summer program made it completely manageable.鈥�
Hagen also noted that enrollment in the study abroad program was easily accomplished.
鈥淭he process was pretty straightforward: I applied through the Aztec Aboard database and to John Cabot University,鈥� said Hagen. 鈥淏oth 麻豆传媒映画 and JCU did a great job communicating expectations and next steps, which made me feel prepared.鈥�
Nearly 1,800 麻豆传媒映画 students studied abroad during the 2025-26 academic year, with summer programs and international internships seeing significant growth. This summer, 37 percent of the 651 麻豆传媒映画 students studying abroad are engaged in international internships.
Besides having a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to live and study in Rome for seven weeks, making new friends and earning academic credit, Hagen said she gained something she can use for the rest of her life.
鈥淚 went into the program not knowing anyone, which pushed me to become more independent and open to new experiences,鈥� said Hagen, who will soon be embarking on an operations/logistics management career. 鈥淏ecause of my study abroad experience, I鈥檝e gained a lot of confidence in my ability to adapt to new environments and it added a completely different perspective to my overall college experience.鈥�
Staff Writer Mike Freeman contributed to this report.
