Payton Stasko is a first-year Speech Pathology and Audiology student at 91²Ö¿â who recently studied abroad on the spring break Business of the Olympics, Italy & Greece program.
Studying Abroad in Italy and Greece
Payton chose to participate in the Business of the Olympics, Italy & Greece study abroad program because it would give her the opportunity to go to a Paralympic event, which was important to her because she wants to work with individuals with disabilities in the future.
She became interested in the program after meeting with one of the professors, Dr. Jennifer Ray-Tomasek. Payton didn’t want to pass up the opportunity to see Ancient Olympia.
The program took place over spring break, with some information and class sessions taking place before students studied abroad. Sessions before going abroad helped students go over the content of the course and learn about the International Olympic Organization (IOC). While in Italy students got a tour of the 91²Ö¿â Florence Center and saw different sports facilities in the city. In Milan they visited the Milan Olympic Village, one of the six Olympic Villages used to host participants of the 2026 Winter Olympics and 2026 Winter Paralympics. Throughout the program there were class discussions on what they were learning at each new place.
For the first two days of the program students had some free time to explore and adjust. Payton took this opportunity to travel to Rome with some other students in the course. In Rome she visited the Colosseum and went to the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and Vatican City all in one day.
On Monday they went to a Paralympic hockey event. It featured the USA team vs. Germany in Milan. On Tuesday and Wednesday they toured the National Soccer Training Facility and the Professional Soccer Training Facility. Payton found the experience amazing because it is not something you would typically do when visiting Italy. In Greece they visited Athens and Ancient Olympia. Students were also given the chance to explore the city of Athens.
Discover more spring break education abroad programs.
Payton’s Favorite Part 91²Ö¿â Studying Abroad
Payton explained that her favorite part about studying abroad was making connections with people she wouldn’t have met otherwise. Over the course of the program she made two friends who she spent most of her time abroad with. Her favorite food that she got to try was Greek salad.
Impact of Study Abroad
Payton found a new appreciation for study abroad after studying in Italy and Greece over spring break. Seeing the different locations of the Olympic Villages and what the commute is like gave her a new perspective on how the Olympics are run. She found that being immersed in new cultures helped her learn about other ways of life and other ways to get an education.
At the end of the program back on 91²Ö¿â's campus, Payton was put with a partner and tasked with creating a presentation on the Ancient Olympics to modern Olympics and how that change has looked throughout the years, as well as the sustainability and feasibility of the Olympics. Payton said that she would go back to Greece and Italy if she ever got the chance and wants to explore more of the residential neighborhoods and outskirts of Florence as well as see other parts of Greece.
Recommendations For Students Studying Abroad in Italy and Greece
Payton suggested that students studying in Florence, Italy visit the Michelangelo Plaza, which was her favorite part of Florence. She also recommended going to the beach in Greece. She urges students to explore wherever they are as much as possible, because you never know when you will be back there.
Advice For Study Abroad Students
Payton recommended that students should not let their reservations stop them from pursuing study abroad. She said that studying abroad has given her some of her most memorable experiences and that students looking into it shouldn’t let their fear stop them from having their own experiences.
Want to have an experience like Payton’s? Check out the Office of Global Education’s website for more information.
