Sydney Sullivan, a junior business administration major at Ohio State Marion with a minor in American Sign Language (ASL), spent three transformative weeks this summer immersed in Deaf culture and language in Siena, Italy. From June 7–28, 2025, Sullivan participated in a Deaf Studies program through the Siena School of Liberal Arts as part of Ohio State’s Second-Year Transformational Experience Program (STEP).
A native of Bucyrus, Ohio, Sullivan was one of only three students selected for the inaugural trip—making them the first Buckeyes ever sent to this program. “We were the guinea pigs,” she said with a laugh. Inspired by her best friend Karmyn’s experience with STEP, Sullivan joined the program and attended weekly sessions during her second year before customizing her schedule in the spring. She also took part in a fully funded trip to Washington, D.C. and explored study abroad options through the STEP Expo and Ohio State’s Office of International Affairs.
The Siena experience was a deep dive into Italian Sign Language (LIS), Italian Deaf history and culture, and spoken Italian. Sullivan’s professors were Deaf, which pushed her ASL skills to new heights.
“It really improved my receptive skills because I had to rely so much on context,” she explained. “It’s such a visual language—it’s kind of like charades in a way.”
Navigating a new country alone for the first time came with challenges. After mistakenly getting off a bus too early in Florence and losing phone service, She wandered the streets with her luggage, asking strangers for help until she found her apartment. “After finally getting to my destination, I felt like I could do anything,” she said.
The academic rigor was intense, with classes running from morning to evening. Sullivan estimates she learned more ASL in three weeks than in her first four semesters combined. “I used to be insecure in my signing abilities,” she said. “But what better way to improve than full-on 24/7 immersion?”
Beyond academics, Sullivan embraced the cultural shift—adjusting to walkable cities, accessible transportation, and diverse personalities among her peers. A spontaneous day trip to Rome highlighted the ease of European travel, something she hopes the U.S. will adopt.
Reflecting on the experience, Sullivan shared, “Study abroad is a really scary thing. It takes a lot of bravery to do. But it made me realize independence isn’t all that scary.” She now feels more confident not only in her language skills but also in her ability to adapt to change and new environments.
The trip also sparked professional inspiration. Over dinner with two ASL interpreters—one seasoned, one just starting out—Sullivan gained insight into the interpreting field and is now considering it as a career path.
Her advice to future travelers? “Keep an open mind and don’t let fear weigh on your decisions.”