Summer Abroad participants reunited on October 22nd
Arielle C.
An exciting way to begin Reading Week for Summer Abroad participants was the annual reunion that took place on Wednesday, October 22nd in the Great Hall of Hart House. Over 130 2025 summer abroad participants, on-site staff, and professors came to celebrate with one another and create new memories.
As a Summer Abroad Ambassador and participant of the 2025 Siena CRI389 program: Topics in Criminology and Sociolegal Studies Abroad, I was invited to interview some students to hear what their experience was like this summer in their destination countries of Italy, France, Puerto Rico, Germany, England, and China.
Hear from Past Participants of Summer Abroad 2025
CRI389 participants, Katarina, Sarah, Fiona, and Giovanna, were interviewed about their experience in Siena, Italy. They shared advice for future students: getting your schoolwork done beforehand, being open-minded to the new culture and people, and taking advantage of exploring neighbouring cities.
Amsa and Cita, who participated in the CRI389 course in Tours, France highlighted one of their favourite memories was the new people they met. They enjoyed having dinner with them while also walking to class with them everyday from residence. Another student, Hannah, participated in FCS369 course. When asked about her favourite memory, she said, “going to Paris for the weekend with some friends”. Ivanna, one of my fellow Summer Abroad Ambassadors, took FSL322 and FSL420. Her favourite memory was going to get coffee with her French professor on the last day of classes.
Sanya and Olivia went to Puerto Rico and shared the importance of looking into your living space and knowing exactly what is going to be there. Additionally, they both recommended checking the visa requirements and looking into what activities you want to do beforehand so you don’t miss anything.
Andrew, who took CSC396 in Berlin, Germany, enjoyed after class activities from hanging out with friends to exploring the city and getting to know one another.
Andrea and Dylan both took CRI389 in Oxford, England. Dylan advised future students to explore beyond where you are set. He said, “don’t just stay in Oxford, go and explore the outside of England and all the different opportunities you have. Take advantage of it all.”
Andrea shared that her most sentimental memory is when her group of friends all went out to have Korean BBQ on the very last night. Jackie, who took an IRE course there shared, “Oxford is a really unique place that encourages small communities. My favourite memory was a Thursday night after we finished exams and essays. We went to the pub and did karaoke, played darts with friends, and had a little fun.”
Aaron and Sarah went to Beijing, China. Aaron’s favourite memory was playing mahjong in the dorms and Sarah enjoyed going to the Great Wall and the other field trips from her course.
My experience
Personally, I had so much fun at the reunion event, especially seeing my friends from the program and catching up over mini hamburger sliders and drinks! The reunion was so interactive, especially with the photobooth and prop set.
My favourite memory from Summer Abroad was being able to go on field trips to Rome, Florence, Pisa, and Siena with a tight-knit group of friends I made in my class. Being immersed in the Italian atmosphere and surrounded by the smell of fresh pizza and pasta around every corridor was truly a memorable experience. I will miss the 4 weeks I spent in such a historically rich and culturally vibrant location! Italy is definitely a go-to spot for beautiful architecture, quaint museums, bustling city nightlife, and an opportunity for you to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience like no other.
Being able to take a full 1.0 credit course in just 3-4 weeks allowed me the opportunity to get ahead in my program requirements while also having the other portion of my summer break free to spend time with my family and friends.
My favourite academic component of this experience was being taught by one professor in a small class size of around 25 students. Forming a close knit relationship with my classmates made the academic and social environment of this program even more enjoyable!
I was able to connect what I was learning in the lectures and reading materials to real life scenarios around me. For instance, I could connect what we learned about the Italian mafia to real conversations in the winery. Going on field trips to the Siena Police Headquarters allowed me to apply what I had learned in class about immigration and policing in real life.
Overall, my time during the Italy Summer Abroad Program proved to be a personally and academically transformative and enriching experience. This reunion was a great reminder of that – the perfect cherry on top.