Alyssa Limjuco

This summer, I studied abroad in Bologna, Italy, in an immersive film program centered around Cinema Ritrovato, the world’s leading festival of restored cinema. I attended screenings in historic theaters and open-air piazzas while studying Italian Neorealism from Rossellini and Fellini to contemporary filmmakers. In class, I explored film history, visual strategy, and preproduction planning. I also collaborated on short film projects, applying theory directly into practice. The experience deepened my understanding of how film shapes perception and connects storytelling to reality.

What surprised me most was how communal cinema felt in Bologna. I expected to study film history in classrooms, but I didn’t anticipate watching restored classics in a packed piazza at Cinema Ritrovato, surrounded by thousands of people completely absorbed in a decades-old film. I hadn’t realized how powerful restoration work is, how a carefully preserved film can feel urgent and contemporary. I also didn’t expect how directly my surroundings would influence my own filmmaking, from the architecture to the rhythms of daily life. The experience reshaped my understanding of cinema as something living and collective, not just something to analyze.

This experience strengthened the connection between my Film and Sociology studies by showing me how cinema can function as both art and social commentary. Studying Italian Neorealism deepened my understanding of storytelling rooted in lived experience and social reality. Creating my own projects in that context pushed me to be more intentional about the stories I tell and how I tell them. It also strengthened my collaboration and production skills in an international setting. Overall, it clarified my goal of becoming a filmmaker who creates socially grounded, globally aware work.

Building on this experience, I plan to continue developing film projects that explore the relationship between social reality and storytelling. I’m interested in expanding one of my study abroad projects into a more fully realized short film and submitting it to student festivals. I also hope to pursue further research on Italian Neorealism and its influence on contemporary documentary practices, potentially through a distinction thesis in Sociology.

Receiving support from Honors made this experience financially possible and allowed me to fully commit to it without hesitation. It gave me the freedom to focus on learning, creating, and engaging deeply with the program rather than worrying about logistical barriers. Beyond the financial support, the award felt like a vote of confidence in my academic and creative goals. That encouragement pushed me to approach the experience with greater intention and professionalism. It reminded me that my interdisciplinary interests in film and sociology are valued and worth investing in.