Public Policy Forum (March 20, 2025)
Political Science study abroad students present their research findings, best practices, and public policy recommendations from Stockton’s sister city, Parma.
Students Reflect on Study Abroad
"My social interactions with individuals in Italy have profoundly influenced my understanding of global citizenship. Engaging with students, professors, government officials, and local community members has been an enriching experience that has contributed significantly to my personal growth and development as a global citizen. Being bilingual, I found that my ability to speak Spanish was incredibly useful in Italy. While I used English often, I was able to communicate effectively with many Italians through Spanish. These interactions highlighted the importance of language skills in global citizenship. I am committed to continuing to learn from and engage with diverse cultures, understanding that each interaction adds to my growth as a global citizen."
-Malbert Lopez
"The general insight I have gained about the nature of Italian life is that it is more romantic and egalitarian. These observations feel short-sighted somewhat due to the brief nature of our stay, but that was the overarching feeling I gleaned. In social settings, Italians are more accepting of people no matter the differences and that seems to be the case in all other aspects. Aspects of daily life seem very interconnected, because people spend time not only at work but contributing to their community. This is evidenced by the gardens we visited, where people, such as Miguel, took active roles in their community. There are a couple of caveats to my insight, mainly that politics is something rarely discussed. I would argue that Italians do enjoy talking about politics, but it has become a social norm not to bring it up."
-Alec Apolonie
