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When Nyle Hopping ’26 began his first semester as a Charger, he headed not to West Haven, Conn., but to Prato, Italy. His first few months as a college student were particularly exciting and memorable as he studied abroad at the University’s campus in Tuscany, exploring a new country and a new culture.

For Hopping, some of his memories of his time in Italy also include members of his family. His mom flew from the U.S. to Prato a little over a month after he arrived, followed by his aunt and his cousin.

"I was a little homesick, and for my mom to come all the way here was amazing,” said Hopping, a criminal justice major. “I was really excited to have my family here. Exploring Italy, as well as Prato near the campus and showing them the restaurants I like, the local monuments, and the places where I like to go get gelato, was amazing.”

‘Immersed in the culture’

Hopping’s mother, Jody Higgins, was excited to see where her son was spending much of his first semester of college. During her visit, she had the chance to see the University of New Haven’s campus in Prato, where he was staying, and to meet his classmates and professors.

“It means everything for me to be in Italy,” she said. “It’s life-changing in so many ways. What he got here is something you can’t get in your comfort zone back home. You grow so much from it.”

Hopping, who traveled on weekends while in Europe, also explored the country when his family visited, sharing with them what he has learned about and experienced in Italy. They spent a few days in Prato, getting to know the city where Hopping was living while abroad.

Higgins, her sister, and her niece also learned from Hopping, who shared with them what he’d experienced since his arrival. He’d already become comfortable with the country and adept at traveling, and he helped them find their way around the country that was, at the time, new to them.

“He’s immersed in the culture, and he’s learned so much about it,” she said. “He’s become independent and he’s figuring out the world. I can tell he’s grown as an individual after just a short time, and he’s in his element. He was in his place, and he was at home in Italy, which is so cool.”

'Wonderful my mom was able to come’

On the evening Higgins arrived, she attended the University’s weekly sports night, at which students, faculty, and staff come together for activities such as soccer and table tennis. It’s a fun and relaxing way for them to get to know each other outside the classroom, and something Hopping, like many of his classmates, looked forward to each week while in Italy. They welcomed Higgins, who also observed one of her son’s Italian cooking classes during her visit.

During their visit, Higgins, Hopping, and their family members explored the country beyond Prato, venturing to Venice, Cinque Terra, and Pisa. Higgins says he helped them navigate the country and figure out what trains they needed to take.

“He’d already figured out so much while studying here,” she said. “When he arrived, he knew no one, and he quickly made friends. I think the support he’s received has been amazing. Everyone here has been so helpful, and they’ve made the students feel welcome. It’s been a seamless transition for him because of all the support.”

For Hopping, his family’s visit was a wonderful opportunity to reconnect and to show them all he’d learned and experienced while studying abroad. He was excited to share with them the activities he’s been enjoying as a student and to introduce them to the University community.

”It’s wonderful my mom was able to come here,” he said. “She even switched her flight so she was able to get here earlier, and that way, she could see me on our sports night. That meant a lot to me.”