My name is Molly Damiani. I am a fourth year student majoring in Political Science with a minor in French and Italian. I have been studying in Trento, Italy at L’università Degli Studi di Trento since September 2013 as part of the “Bilateral Agreement” exchange program.

This experience has made me understand that university is not simply about graduating with the best marks to acquire a diploma. I now understand that getting involved and searching for programs that can enhance my university experience adds significant value to not only my degree, but also to my personal life. Students often do not recognize the influence they have over their own degrees by taking advantage of the opportunities their university offers. An exchange is only one of many programs a student should take advantage of.

While in my exchange, I took many courses within the Sociology faculty, which was very enlightening as a Political Science student. For one, the courses had a unique European perspective that I am not accustomed to. Also, studying politics from a sociological standpoint has demonstrated to me the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to education. The willingness to incorporate various disciplines and perspectives allows for an all-encompassing innovative way of thinking, one which I will try to apply to my studies from here on out. Overall, this year has been an incredible school year that has allowed me to make new friends, take unique courses, advance language learning and travel.