Office of Study Abroad

Profile: Maggie Moran '22

Maggie Moran

Major: History and Studio Art Majors and Education Minor

Semester abroad: Summer 2021

Study Abroad Program: Brandeis in Siena

Reason you chose this program: I chose this program because I have never traveled abroad before and this program seemed like the perfect opportunity to do so while exploring some of my interests of art and history. Brandeis in Siena not only focuses on learning about historical pieces of art, but teaches you the styles that they were done in. While I am an art student, I am not much of a painter, so I figured the best place to learn how to paint would be while in Italy!

Favorite class: My favorite class was by far the painting class. I enjoyed Art History a lot, I'm just not one for names and dates. The painting class challenged me and pushed me out of my comfort zone of what I was used to when it came to art making.

How you incorporate your Brandeis major into your abroad experience? I was able to incorporate studio art as both the classes counted towards my major. The Brandeis in Siena courses did not contribute on paper to my history major, however, learning art history right in front of the pieces we were discussing, and being in Italy which is so rich historically, helped to expand historical thinking.

Housing situation: In Siena, we had an apartment with two bedrooms, a kitchen and a bathroom, in addition to a studio apartment with two beds, a kitchen and a bathroom. There were four of us living there, and it was quite an enjoyable experience.

What were some parts of your identity that you thought about while considering study abroad that other students may want to talk to you about? Being dyslexic, I have enough trouble as it is getting by with English. Going to a new country with a completely different language was very intimidating. I learned enough in the short Italian course provided to get by (many mistakes were made ordering food). It did not o as poorly as I thought it would though! Most of the 20-something in Italy know at least a little English, so we ended up not needing to use a lot of conversational Italian.

Favorite memory: We were there when the Italian Men's International team won the Euro Cup for the first time in about 50 years. That was the most contagious excitement and energy I have ever felt.

Scholarships you applied to and how they impacted your time abroad: I applied to the Remise Fine Arts Grant and the Sachar Scholarship. I received both in addition to extra funding from the Fine Arts department. Without these scholarships and additional aid, I would not have been able to go abroad this past summer. These scholarships made it possible and I will forever be grateful for the experience I was able to have because of them.

What you know now that you didn't’t know before? I know now that in Italy you do not order a cappuccino after lunch time! They will laugh at you!

Fact about your host country that you think people would be surprised to learn: Lunchtime lasts for almost two hours! It is very leisurely and relaxing to have a nice long break midday.

“We were there when the Italian Men's International team won the Euro Cup for the first time in about 50 years. That was the most contagious excitement and energy I have ever felt.”

Maggie Moran '22