OU in Arezzo

By Kirk Duclaux

Some students had found something truly transformative in their study abroad experience — a new home. For the first time, they realized that home is not simply a place but is also a state of mind.

As the spring 2020 students at OU’s Italian Study Center in Arezzo, Italy were enjoying another delicious pasta alla carbonara prepared by Chef Fabio, their conversations turned from how to beat the line at the Roman Colosseum and whether or not Paris was a worth a visit, to what was happening with a virus called COVID-19. “What’s all that got to do with us?” several of the students asked me. I thought to myself, “ well, that’s a good question. ” We were many miles away from the first outbreak of the virus. Without a second thought, the students returned to making plans for Rome and Paris. As we all soon discovered, the interconnectedness of the modern world was a reality that we simply could not ignore.

The situation changed with staggering speed. By March 10, all the students in the OUA Spring cohort had tearfully and regretfully packed their bags for home. Those thoughts of Rome and Paris had been replaced by more pressing needs such as staying safe, saying goodbye to new friends, and finding a route back home. All the skill sets that the OUA staff employ to make the students’ experiences memorable were redirected toward ensuring the safety and security of return trips.

Having to curtail an experience that many had been planning for years was a deep disappointment to all. Even more painfully, some students had found something truly transformative in their study abroad experience — a new home. For the first time, they realized that home is not simply a place but is also a state of mind. Home is where you feel welcome and where you can be yourself; a space where new and unexpected things become the driving force for a rediscovered sense of identity, confidence and curiosity.

We hope students will find the time and energy to return to OUA. Sadly, many will have to be content with a memorable experience that was cut short — though these students will always be welcome at the beautiful OUA study center.

Taking stock of the situation as it has developed over the last 12 months has proven to all of us that we must make the most of our opportunities and plan for the future, however distant it may seem. We must seek out ways to comprehend the world a little better in the hope that no matter what the situation, we can be more understanding of each other and prepared for life’s inevitable twists.

Kirk Duclaux is director of OU in Arezzo, OU's Study Center in Arezzo, Italy.