Meet D’Andre Johnson

Program and Location:

Summer, Italy: Ethics and Law; Piacenza, Italy

Major/Minor:

Business Administration

Why did you choose to study abroad?

I chose to study abroad so I could travel to new places that my family has not been able to go to. I knew it would allow me to have an experience that I would never forget, and I wanted to inspire some of my younger family members to study abroad whenever they go to college.

What did you learn about yourself?

I learned that I am patient in difficult situations. It was not easy being in a country where you do not speak the same language as everyone. When I was ordering food at a restaurant, I had to be patient with some of our servers because they may have had a difficult time understanding me.

What was one of your favorite parts of your program?

My favorite part of the program was the weekend trips that I took with friends that I made during the program. I got to travel to various places in Italy like Venice, Milan, and Rome. I also went to Athens, Greece for one of my weekend trip. These trips were great way to relax after a long week of classes.

What advice do you have to future study abroad students?

Some advice I would give future study abroad students is to not be afraid to try new things. Trying new things will allow you to discover things about yourself that you never knew. I would also say do not be afraid to make a wrong turn while navigating the country that you are in. That wrong turn can result into you discovering a new place to eat or shop. You have to be open-minded to fully enjoy your study abroad experience.

How were your classes abroad different than if you would have taken them at NC State? Did you take any field trips or do anything outside of the traditional classroom?

We did a few company visits that we would normally not do for these classes at NC State. We got to visit major companies like Maserati and Barilla.

Is there any advice you would give to other students who share your identity?

Do not be afraid to study abroad! I know that it can be scary to go to places where you may not see people that look like you, but it is worth the experience.

Would you do it again?

I would definitely do it again!!