Rishi Dhawan

Major: Finance
Pathway: Design Thinking
Study Abroad Program Location: Milan, Italy
Study Abroad Term: Fall 2024

Student Testimony

What motivated you to pursue a global education experience?

Although there were many options, I chose Milan because of my interest in fashion and my desire to explore Italian culture further. Additionally, one of my goals while studying abroad was to travel, and Milan’s central location allowed me to visit a wide variety of destinations during my time there.

Describe your initial thoughts and feelings as you prepared to study or intern abroad.

As I prepared to study abroad, all I could think about was excitement. I truly couldn’t wait for the months to pass so I could finally live in a new city. I knew I wanted to travel, so I made a list of places I hoped to visit and coordinated plans with friends from SCU and home. To better prepare myself, I also talked to many students who had already studied abroad, gathering advice on everything from budgeting to must-visit destinations. Given my interest in traveling, budgeting was a top priority. As soon as I submitted my study abroad application, I started saving and investing on the side to ensure I had enough money for my time abroad. I also tried to be as frugal as possible when packing, but as always, I ended up overpacking a lot.

Share a memorable experience or encounter that immersed you in the local culture.

There were countless small experiences that allowed me to immerse myself in Milan’s culture—like singing Bella Ciao with a group of 50 strangers outside the Duomo at midnight on a Sunday or keeping an open mind and trying food from every place I visited, like escargot in Paris. However, the most culturally immersive experience I had was through my Community-Based Learning class and volunteer work. As part of this class, I volunteered at a high school, teaching students about English and entrepreneurship. I also worked at a soup kitchen and food bank every week. Additionally, I had a host family with whom I shared dinner 1-2 times a week. These experiences gave me real insight into the challenges of living in Italy in addition to how Italians perceive Americans and the United States. Not to mention, this class fulfilled my RTC and ELSJ requirements and was filled with SCU students, many of whom I got to know much better through these shared experiences!

Discuss your academic or professional experiences abroad. 

Surprisingly, aside from my Community-Based Learning class, my Italian 101 class was a close second favorite. It reminded me a lot of BUSN 70, where everyone became friends by the end of the program, bonding over the shared challenge of learning a completely new language. Our tests were especially fun and unique—we had to act out scenes in Italian, which made the final examination an engaging and interactive experience. Both the U.S. and Italian education systems have similarities and differences, but one aspect that stood out in both my program and the high school where I volunteered was the relationship dynamic between students and teachers.

In Italy, teachers tend to build a much more friendly and informal connection with their students. They would take us on trips or out for aperitivo, creating an environment where there wasn’t an awkward power dynamic. This approach also made us more engaged in class, as we genuinely didn’t want to disappoint our teachers—who felt more like mentors and friends.

Reflect on the personal growth and development you experienced during your time abroad.

I truly believe that studying abroad was the period of my life where I experienced the most personal growth so far. Although it sounds cliché, studying abroad is like a complete reset—it reveals both your strengths and weaknesses. Every student starts with a clean slate: no familiar faces, a different language than they’re used to, and being far from home. Beyond traveling and learning about different cultures, I gained valuable skills in budgeting, trip planning, meeting new people, navigating a new city, and staying safe. Most importantly, I realized just how much of a bubble both the U.S. and even the Bay Area can be. This experience broadened my perspective and made me more adaptable to new environments. After studying abroad, I know I want to return—whether through an MBA program or a future career opportunity.

Describe the friendships and connections you formed with both local residents and fellow students.

This is something I hadn’t even considered going into the program, but the friendships I made ended up being the most important part of my study abroad experience—more than any class, trip, or cultural experience. I formed a close-knit friend group early on, and we ended up traveling together on almost every trip.

Even though we were only together for four months, it felt like we had built years' worth of memories and genuinely deep connections unlike anything I had experienced before. There were also many SCU students I had heard of before but never really knew—now, after studying abroad, we’ve come back as close friends. Additionally, I met students from all over the U.S., and we still text, call, and even plan trips to visit each other. My biggest piece of advice: be open to meeting new people and say yes to opportunities, because you never know who you’ll meet through a random experience.

Share a story about a challenge or obstacle you faced while studying or interning abroad and how you overcame it.

There were many moments that challenged me both mentally and physically—like spending 24 hours in the Sahara desert without water or a phone—but the biggest challenge for me was learning to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. I didn’t have many fears going into the program, but the first week was tough. Adjusting to a new environment and finding the right group of people felt overwhelming. At one point, I honestly wanted to go home, and my parents were on the verge of booking a flight for me. That’s when my mom gave me a piece of advice that has stuck with me ever since. She said, “You need to get more comfortable being uncomfortable because you never know what’s on the other side of your discomfort.” Taking her advice to heart, I decided to give myself just one more week. And that extra week changed everything. Things started to click, I found my rhythm, and I truly embraced the experience. Looking back, I can’t imagine having missed out on the four months that brought me the most growth and development in my life. Whether it’s studying abroad or any other challenge, I’ve learned that pushing myself beyond discomfort is essential. If I had given up, I would have missed out on an experience that shaped me into the person I am today.

How has studying or interning abroad influenced your career goals, worldview, or future aspirations?

During our introduction event, we were told that 89% of students who study abroad in Milan through the IES program either pursue further education abroad or work internationally at some point in their careers. At first, I thought this statistic was inflated, but when we revisited it during our farewell event, I truly understood why it was so accurate. Studying abroad has significantly influenced my future aspirations. I changed my minor to International Business, and I now have a strong desire to pursue an MBA abroad and work internationally for at least two years. Beyond career goals, my time in Milan also reshaped my perspective on life. I’ve come to appreciate the slower, more intentional way of living that I observed there, and I want to incorporate that mindset into my daily life moving forward. This experience has not only broadened my career outlook but also changed how I approach personal growth and the world around me.