Meet Ella Hayward '28: Psychology

Studying abroad had always been part of Ella Hayward’s future plans, and choosing Italy as her destination was an easy decision. “I’ve wanted to study abroad ever since I started looking at colleges,” she shared. When it came time to choose a place to study, Italy stood out immediately to her. “Choosing Italy was easy; it’s always been my dream destination, and I knew that studying there would be the best way to truly experience the culture and learn from it.”

After careful consideration and advice from family and her Career & Experiential Learning advisors, Ella chose to study through USAC in Reggio Emilia in Northern Italy in the fall of 2025. “In the end, I realized I wanted a smaller city that felt welcoming and homey, and Reggio Emilia fit that perfectly.” She also views this experience as a step toward her long-term goals. “Studying abroad will help lay the foundation for my career aspirations because I’ve been considering earning my graduate degree overseas. Having prior experience living abroad will be valuable if I decide to make that move in the future.”

Beyond adapting to a new culture, Ella has grown in ways she didn’t expect. “Studying abroad has given me a whole new level of independence. I’ve always considered myself independent, but learning to cook my own meals was definitely an adjustment.” From cooking and meal planning to managing her time each week, Ella has embraced her independence fully. Academically, she’s continued to excel by maintaining her study habits from Curry College, even with a different grading system.

Of course, no Italian experience would be complete without the food. “My favorite local food so far is definitely pasta, even though I eat it all the time,” she said. “Homemade pasta here tastes completely different and much better than it does in the States.”

Living in a new country has brought both surprises and lessons for Ella. “The biggest surprise about living in a new country has been the social norms,” Ella explained. “You quickly learn what’s considered culturally appropriate.” Despite having traveled to Europe before, she was still caught off guard by the subtle differences. “I thought I wouldn’t experience much culture shock, but I was definitely mistaken. There are so many unspoken rules and subtle cultural differences in how locals do things that it takes time to adjust.”

As Ella reflects on her time abroad, she knows it’s an experience that will stay with her long after she returns home. “I know I’ll be talking about my time abroad for the rest of my life. It’s been such a meaningful and unforgettable experience.”