Valeria Gonzales Perez is a Machine Learning and Cognitive Science major at UCSD studying abroad at the University of Padua (Padova in Italian) in Italy for the 2022-23 academic year. She writes, “When I first read that I had been awarded this scholarship, my dreams of studying abroad in an institution that cultivates a rich understanding of cognitive science and Italy’s culture seemed closer than ever before. It reassured me that my dreams are possible.” Before traveling to Padova, Valeria was able to visit Venice and enjoyed learning about the city’s unique history (e.g. only Venice natives are allowed to be “gondoleros”). At Padova, she has met students from Costa Rica, Pakistan, India, China, Norway, Croatia, Ukraine, Spain, Guatemala, Argentina, France, and many from Germany. She reports, “Overall, I’ve had an experience full of excitement, wonder, and learning in this beautiful city.”