Hi! My name is Tessa Smith, I am a third year double major in cinema and journalism, and I studied abroad through the IES Film & Media Studies program in Rome, Italy. As a queer woman, I wasn’t entirely sure how the way I choose to present my identity would blend with the norms and culture of one of the biggest hubs for religion in the world. However, I quickly found that the people of Rome are nearly the same as the people of any large city in the United States. I quickly found friendship and community with queer classmates, acquaintances, and local friends. In Rome especially, queer culture is appreciated and celebrated. Queerness is the beating heart of the contemporary art, fashion, and film industries, and young Italian people are very open, comfortable, and fluid with their presentations of identity and queerness as well. 

"Studying abroad opened my eyes to new ways of loving myself, my family, and my friends. I will be forever grateful for what this extremely vulnerable experience brought to my life and my understanding of my place in society."

My personal identity was influenced largely by making Italian friends and experiencing the local nightlife, music, and art scenes. I was so in awe by the open affection and intimate interactions that friends and families shared with each other so often. Physical affection is not entirely common in my family, so always having a hug and a kiss waiting for me when I walked into a room was a very comforting, new feeling. With the new experiences of independence and experimentation in a brand-new place came blossoming new outlooks on the world and the communities I am a part of. I find myself with a much larger appreciation for myself and my identity, as well as a newfound comfort with my queerness. 

Studying abroad opened my eyes to new ways of loving myself, my family, and my friends. I will be forever grateful for what this extremely vulnerable experience brought to my life and my understanding of my place in society. After my time in Rome had concluded, I returned home with a redefined sense of self and a new confidence that hadn’t shown through as brightly before. 

Tessa Smith (double major in cinema & journalism and mass communication), a Diversity Ambassador Scholarship recipient (now the Global Access Ambassador Scholarship), participated in Spring 2023 IES Rome program. 

LEARN HOW YOU CAN APPLY FOR A GLOBAL ACCESS AMBASSADOR SCHOLARSHIP

The Global Access Ambassador Scholarship (formerly Diversity Ambassador) program provides awards to study abroad for a summer, semester, or academic year. The scholarships are intended to support students who study abroad with the intent to serve as Global Access Ambassadors upon return to the UI campus. Upon completion of the study abroad program and return to UI, award recipients are asked to submit a photo and an open letter to prospective students or suggest an alternate means of sharing with prospective students.

Please note that the opinions and views expressed by ambassadors are solely those of the students and do not reflect or represent the views of International Programs or the University of Iowa.

International Programs (IP) at the University of Iowa (UI) is committed to enriching the global experience of UI students, faculty, staff, and the general public by leading efforts to promote internationally oriented teaching, research, creative work, and community engagement.  IP provides support for international students and scholars, administers scholarships and assistance for students who study, intern, or do research abroad, and provides funding opportunities and grant-writing assistance for faculty engaged in international research. IP shares their stories through various media, and by hosting multiple public engagement activities each year.