By Lily Rutherford

Several students shared their unique perspectives on their time abroad at the beginning of this year. Spanning Greece, Italy, Costa Rica, and Cambodia, they had much to say about their international experience. In this story, we will highlight the students’ transformational program in Italy.

UTK Roman and Medieval Era Construction Methodologies took place over the 2026 Winter Mini-Term. The course explored Roman construction techniques and Medieval construction technologies throughout the country. Students engaged in hands-on experiences such as cooking lessons, guided visits to historical bridges, aqueducts, and cultural landmarks such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and tours of the Colosseum, the Domus Aurea, and the Florence Dome and Museum.

Gracie Orrico is a senior studying construction science and management. What made the program special for her was how it allowed her to explore the city’s elaborate expanse of architecture and learn about its history.

Gracie’s Perspective: Upon arriving in Italy, I was immediately struck by the vibrant energy of the streets. I was also in awe of the old architecture. Everywhere I looked, there were stunning buildings with intricate details, and statues and fountains dotted the landscape. It felt like stepping back in time, especially when walking down cobbled streets that have been there for centuries. The combination of rich history and daily life made it feel like a living museum.

Ryan Batts is a junior studying construction science and management. One of his highlights of the program was experiencing the same sports pride abroad that he missed from Neyland Stadium in Knoxville.

Ryan’s Perspective: As a student at UT, I’d always assumed that nowhere could portray as much heart as Neyland Stadium. The stadium of 60,000 fans erupted in song and cheers 30 minutes before kickoff. I could sing all the songs in Italian by the end of the match. I guess one thing that I learned from this experience is that sports can emit a sense of pride over a city, no matter where you are in the world. It was a unification of all Romans under one dome, united under the same colors of red and gold.

Jacob Cohen is a senior studying construction science and management. He enjoyed taking part in a new cultural experience and using the opportunity to broaden his perspective.

Jacob is pictured wearing a light blue shirt behind the kitchen counter in the middle of the back row of the first photo.

Jacob’s Perspective: I had a very fun and interesting cultural experience in Italy. One experience that really stood out was speaking with a man in a small sandwich shop who told me about his work lifestyle and what daily life is like living in Italy. I also found many of the tour guides we interacted with to be extremely helpful. They did a great job explaining the cultural reasons behind people’s behaviors, traditions, and routines, which helped me better understand why things are done differently than in the United States.

This experience changed my perspective in many ways. It inspired me to make it a goal to experience as much of the world as possible, as learning about other cultures was very impactful to me. Academically, seeing history and construction firsthand helped connect classroom concepts to real-world examples. Professionally, this trip prepared me to better work with people from different backgrounds by increasing my cultural awareness and ability to learn from others, both internationally and within the United States.