Penn State students immerse themselves in ancient Rome on summer study abroad

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — This summer, a group of Penn State students journeyed to Italy to walk the same streets once roamed by emperors, senators and gladiators.

As part of the "Study Tour of Roman History and Archaeology," led by Erin Hanses, assistant teaching professor of classics and ancient Mediterranean studies and women’s, gender, and sexuality studies, and Thaddeus Olson, associate teaching professor of classics and ancient Mediterranean studies, the students spent more than two weeks immersed in the ancient world while making memories in Rome. The course was one of 12 faculty-led programs offered through the College of the Liberal Arts this summer.

For Isabella Fontanes, the trip was a dream realized, she said. A Schreyer Scholar and Paterno Fellow from Atglen, Pennsylvania, Fontanes is double-majoring in anthropological science and classics and ancient Mediterranean studies, with a minor in planetary science and astronomy.

Fontanes has always been drawn to archaeology and ancient history, so when the opportunity arose to study in Rome, she said she saw it as the perfect chance to bring her classroom experiences to life.

“Everything I had ever read about ancient Rome was applied on this trip,” Fontanes said. "It was like watching the 2D become the 3D."

Fontanes recalled being blown away by the scale of the sites, from the expansive ruins of the Forum to the grandeur of the Baths of Caracalla.

Even outside the formal itinerary, her experience was rich with discovery, she said. One of her most cherished memories was a quiet evening with friends near the Colosseum, sharing stories under its glowing lights.

"It confirmed two things for me," she said. "That I 100% want to go into archaeology, and that I now understand what it means to live and work abroad."

Skyler Hamilton said she found belonging in unfamiliar places.

A Maryland native studying anthropology and classics and ancient Mediterranean studies, with a minor in history, Hamilton said she expected long days and dense lessons. What she found instead was a balanced experience filled with structured learning and spontaneous exploration.

“It wasn’t as overwhelming as I thought,” she said. “There was a lot of time to explore Rome on our own.”

Hamilton said she felt most immersed in Roman life during the evenings out with classmates. Whether at a local restaurant or wandering the city, they often found themselves treated like family by locals, especially when they attempted to speak Italian.

One moment that left a lasting impression came during a visit to the archaeological site at Pompeii.

“We stopped inside the remains of what used to be a bar,” Hamilton said. “From behind the counter I could imagine the room with seating and tables, people coming in and out. It was just a really cool experience.”

When asked if she had advice for students who might be on the fence about studying abroad, Hamilton was clear: “Do it. You will learn more about the world and yourself than you could ever imagine.”

Tori Korman said she uncovered layers of history and meaning.

A State College resident, Korman is double-majoring in anthropology and classics and ancient Mediterranean studies with a minor in Jewish studies. She came to the program with a deep appreciation for the classical world, but what she discovered on the trip went beyond textbooks, she said.

She vividly remembered standing in the ancient Roman town of Herculaneum, looking at the remains of those who perished when Mount Vesuvius erupted.

“It was incredibly sobering and emotionally heavy,” she said. "It made the past feel deeply personal.”

Korman also kept a journal throughout the trip. In writing down her daily experiences, she said she came to appreciate just how much she had seen, done and learned in a short time.

Among her favorite moments was walking through the House of the Vestals, reading inscriptions alongside Hanses.

“It felt like I was part of something bigger,” said Korman, describing the trip as a living timeline, one where Mussolini-era architecture stood just feet from ancient ruins, creating what she called “an uninterrupted thousand-year continuum.”

For Korman and her fellow students, she said, the Study Tour of Roman History and Archaeology was more than a class, but a full-body, full-heart experience that blended rigorous academics with cultural immersion and personal growth.

Liberal Arts students interested in education abroad can learn more about faculty-led programs and enrichment funding through the College of the Liberal Arts.