While most rising college seniors were focusing on finding internships for the spring, graduating on time and permanent jobs, senior Sarah McMurtrie decided to do things a little differently. She chose to relax before the hectic schedule of her last year in school in Italy. Rome, that is, where she spent the last four months.

Growing up with a mom who is a teacher and a father in the Navy, McMurtrie has lived throughout the United States including Florida, Pennsylvania and South Carolina. She even has a residence in Alabama where her family currently lives, but she had never been to Europe.

“It was the first time I’d ever been to the other half of the world,” McMurtrie said.

Raised in a Presbyterian background, she has always been involved with her church community. The McMurtrie family of five recently traveled to Mexico on a mission trip.

“That was the first time we went out of the country as a family,” McMurtrie said. “I think our trip to Mexico made them feel more comfortable about me going to Italy.”

Her original plans included traveling to Italy with a friend who previously lived there and spoke the language fluently. Last -minute plans changed, however, and she, along with another friend fluent in Spanish, packed their bags and headed towards the Coliseum and the famous ruins of Rome.

“Neither one of us knew the language, but we learned fast; we kind of had to,” McMurtrie said.

From Jan.-May, McMurtrie lived in a three-bedroom apartment with five other girls who came from all over the country including Chicago, California and Texas.

“There was actually a girl on the trip who hadn’t even started college yet,” McMurtrie said.

Monday through Thursday this international studies major studied at John Cabot University, where she learned Italian, took two economic classes and photography- a portfolio of Rome.

“I had never taken photography, and Rome was a really great place to learn,” McMurtrie said. “It was so beautiful, an ancient city, something you have to see before you go.”

Although JCU is an American university, the internationally integrated school also accommodated kids from Wales and Hungary.

McMurtrie’s classes took time up during the week; however, weekends were left open to travel and shop.

“We went everywhere,” McMurtrie said. “Venice, Florence, Sicily, Pisa, Naples and Pompeii.”

They even got to spend spring break in London and Barcelona.

Now that McMurtrie has returned, one would think her focus would be on classes and graduation. But, this ambitious senior still manages to find time to go to theater rehearsal and even landed a part playing Don Pedro in the upcoming play, “Much Ado about Nothing.”

“I’ve acted since elementary school, but I don’t think I’d ever do it professionally,” McMurtrie said.

Even after four months in Italy, McMurtrie’s hunger for seeing the world hasn’t been satisfied. After graduation, she plans on possibly joining the Peace Corps or going to a foreign country to do religious community service.

“Volunteer work and Bible study would be my main focus,” McMurtrie said.

The oldest of three, McMurtrie’s love for traveling has sparked a desire in her younger sister, 18, and brother, 14.

“They really want to travel now,” McMurtrie said. “They are very determined to do the same thing.”

After Italy, McMurtrie admits that she sees the world and herself a little differently.

“I understand their culture now and myself a little better,” she said. “I didn’t know what to expect when I got there. It was a lot like modern and third world at the same time. I’m more laid back now too. I didn’t have as much control and sometimes it was hard to adjust, but I had a really great time.”