From Florence to the Sahara: An Honors Education Without Borders

By Gary Hyatt, WSU Honors College, gary.hyatt1@wsu.edu

For Honors student Jordan Rowell, studying abroad in Florence, Italy, became much more than a semester in another country. It was an opportunity to step outside her comfort zone; experience new cultures and discover how much learning can happen beyond the classroom.

A marketing major with a psychology minor, Jordan studied through the SAI program at the Florence University of the Arts. One of her courses, Food, Culture, and Society, connected her studies with the world around her. Exploring local markets and learning about Tuscan cuisine, Renaissance history and Italian culture helped turn Florence itself into part of her education.

Jordan also made it a goal to explore beyond Florence. During her semester abroad, she traveled to 11 countries and more than 20 cities. A trip to Morocco became one of her most memorable experiences. Playing street soccer with locals, riding camels through the Sahara and sharing food and music around a campfire gave her a new perspective on connection and community. “Immersing myself in unfamiliar cultures taught me how to connect deeply, strip away superficial boundaries, and truly enjoy every single minute I have on this Earth,” Jordan reflected.

Over time, Florence went from an intimidating unknown to a place that felt like home. Jordan lived near Santo Spirito Market, where she practiced Italian with local vendors, explored the city’s piazzas and settled into the rhythms of everyday life. “Florence didn’t just host me for four months; it captured a piece of my heart,” she wrote.

Jordan’s experience was made possible in part through the Richard W. McKinney Education Abroad Fund, which supports Honors Business students with the opportunity to study abroad. The funding provided vital financial relief for Jordan and allowed her to focus on making the most of her academic and personal experience.

The semester also helped Jordan develop what she described as “a deep, unshakeable confidence” in herself. She returned to WSU with new perspectives, greater independence and a desire to encourage other Honors students to take advantage of opportunities that take them beyond what they already know.

For Jordan, some of the most important lessons were not found in a textbook or syllabus. They came from navigating unfamiliar places, meeting people from different backgrounds and learning to be comfortable in a world much bigger than the one she knew.

The Richard W. McKinney Education Abroad Fund and other experiential learning endowments established through The Honors College help make these transformative experiences possible, giving Honors students the opportunity to turn the world into their classroom.