Athanasios Kolovos, or better known as "Tommy", took part in the Honors Study Abroad Program in Italy this summer from May 22-June 12 of this year. He was awarded the U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. One of the scholarship requirements of students is that they complete the Follow-on Service Project they proposed within their scholarship application process. Throughout his blog post, Tommy writes about his project, his experience abroad, and how he hopes to inspire other LGBTQIA students to study abroad.
Wanderlust
Never have I felt my heart as content as it was when I was exploring Rome, Venice, Florence, and even Paris for a weekend getaway. I found a new sense of confidence in myself, and I awoke a passion for travel, international relations and diplomacy. I feel more free-spirited and lighter just because of my experience abroad, and because my experience was so beautiful I feel empowered to advocate for more opportunities for LGBTQIA students to travel abroad and experience the beauty that can be seen in another culture, even in another LGBT culture.
When I asked myself, “do I want to study abroad”, I was met with little research and various concerns from my friends and family for my safety because of my sexuality. Like any good undergraduate researcher, I aimed to debunk my peer’s assumptions of LGBTQIA study abroad and see if there is a concern for LGBTQIA student’s safety abroad or if this assumption is incorrect.
When I received the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, I was astounded. I was beyond excited to research LGBTQIA study abroad experiences, and I had everything mapped out, even small details of my research agenda. I had the opportunity to study leadership in Rome for three weeks while simultaneously conducting my research.
We shared stories of places we’ve seen, and the best places to get gelato in the city.
Words cannot express the beauty and awe I felt in Europe. I conducted most of my research on Via di San Giovanni in Rome, which is considered “the gay district”. I had the opportunity to talk to people from all over the world about their experiences traveling as an LGBTQIA individual. Overall, I interview twenty-two individuals from different countries, and perspectives. We shared stories of places we’ve seen, and the best places to get gelato in the city but, what warmed my heart the most was the sense of empowerment that was being directed to and from my interviewee and I. It truly makes you realize how connected we can be with others in the LGBT community if we allow it to happen.
And don't even get me started on the Gelato! I think I had Gelato everyday while in Rome, sometimes twice a day.
The most challenging parts of this trip were getting over the financial aspects of it and the hesitation I had. Once I got over the challenges, it was wonderful being able to take advantage of the free time we had and using it to explore Rome in so many different ways. There are so many great memories and cultural experiences that came from this trip. For instance, the food blew my mind. The meals are long and meant to be enjoyed, there was not one I did not enjoy. And don't even get me started on the Gelato! I think I had Gelato everyday while in Rome, sometimes twice a day.
I’ve always wanted to travel and saw this as a great opportunity to live out my wanderlust. If you've ever wondered what it would be like to study abroad, I say just do it! You will never regret traveling the world. And if you are of the LGBTQIA community and have questions or concerns about studying abroad be sure to watch the video I created as part of my project. Through it you will find various tips about studying abroad as a LGBTQIA student.
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