Tuscan travelers
A birthday to remember
One could say that international travel runs in Kendall Pixley’s blood. Pixley, a public health and biology major from Indian Trail, is the daughter of a flight attendant.
Students enjoy a meal at Enoteca Boccaccio in Certaldo, Italy. (Contributed photo)
“I learned about the importance of traveling and immersing yourself in other cultures through my mom. My mom has been a flight attendant for over 30 years, and I grew up hearing about her stories of traveling internationally,” she said. “I wanted to make my own memories while traveling, and ECU has amazing programs to make this a reality.”
Pixley always wanted to travel to Italy, so the ECU’s Tuscany campus in Certaldo Alto was a perfect fit.
“I chose Tuscany because I have always wanted to travel to Italy,” she said. “Italy is so rich in culture and history, and I wanted to visit all of the amazing sites. I also knew that ECU had a campus in Tuscany, and researching Certaldo Alto solidified my decision. Certaldo is such a small community, and I truly felt the family atmosphere.”
During her five weeks in Tuscany, she took a yoga class offered by Mamie Dixon and a photography class taught by Mercedes Jelinek.
While abroad, Pixley celebrated her 20th birthday. Spending her birthday in a foreign country and the celebration of the day was an experience to remember.
“I was a little nervous about celebrating my birthday away from my hometown friends and family, but the staff and my study abroad group quickly made my birthday unforgettable,” said Pixley. “I got to explore the Uffizi art gallery and Florence, and when eating at Andrea’s (our favorite restaurant in Certaldo), they surprised me with a birthday cake. Not only did the restaurant owner, Andrea, pick up the cake from Certaldo Basso for me, but everyone sang ‘Happy Birthday’ in Italian.”
The study abroad experience is one that Pixley feels helped her grow personally as well as academically.
“I became very independent and confident while on this trip. I had to learn how to navigate transportation in cities. This study abroad also expanded my historical horizons. While I had studied some of these historical sites in textbooks, nothing compared to seeing them in person. I believe that this study abroad has made me a more well-rounded individual.”
Appreciating Tuscany through art
Rising junior nursing student Caroline Mott from Jamestown participated in a five-week session at ECU Tuscany.
Mott knew that she wanted to do a study abroad but didn’t have a preferred destination.
“Going into college I knew I wanted to study abroad for the cultural enrichment and because I felt it would help to make me a more well-rounded student,” said Mott. “After finding out that ECU had a campus in Italy I knew that it would make the experience easier for me to find comfort and have fun.”
Mott took classes in art appreciation and yoga while at the Tuscany campus. She felt that the art appreciation class helped her gain a better understanding and appreciation of where she was studying.
“Art appreciation was my favorite class because it made going to the museums and cathedrals way more enjoyable knowing the history behind the art we saw. I learned a lot about the Italian culture through art.”
Mott’s experience in Tuscany has allowed her to grow personally and scholastically.
“This experience pushed me to do things outside my comfort zone and typical circle of friends,” said Mott. “Not only did I meet people all over Italy, but I also became close with all of the ECU students who came with me who I didn’t really know before.”