Badgers Tell All: Study Abroad Secrets

Madison, WI—A broken heart, a brutal mid-term schedule, or a 2-4 football season can send a Badger sprinting toward the departure gate faster than you can say “Jump Around.” Little wonder the University of Wisconsin now sits sixth nationally in study-abroad participation. To find out where Wisconsin students land—and what they do once they get there—The Badger Herald collected on-the-ground intel from recent alums in five of the most popular destinations.

Barcelona Locals roll their eyes at selfie-stick tourists, so blend in. Greta Boatcher (spring ’25) swaps standard tapas for Brazilian-Japanese plates at Ikibana and insists every visitor share a pitcher of sangria. Nightlife starts at beachfront Shôko, where dancers can cool off with a Mediterranean plunge, then drifts to Paradiso, a speakeasy-style cave bar mixing avant-garde cocktails. For sunrise, hike to Bunkers del Carmel, the Civil War-era anti-aircraft site that delivers the city’s best panorama.

Florence The piazzas may be Renaissance galleries, but the food is pure comfort. Schiacciateria De’Neri sells the crisp flatbread sandwiches Sophie Wooldridge swears by, while Bulli & Balene lures Badgers across the Arno for aperitivo hour. Need a caffeine refuge? Vivaldi’s armchairs and friendly baristas have you covered. And yes, Florence beats Madison at its own game: open-container takeaway drinks from Un Caffè Bistrot for a stroll through Piazza della Santissima Annunziata.

London Curry first: Khan’s of Kensington wins Julia Vetsch’s vote for best Indian. Jazz fans head to The Blues Kitchen in Shoreditch. Heaven, the iconic gay club near Trafalgar Square, packs Badgers shoulder-to-shoulder, while Covent Garden’s pubs pour proper pints. Weekends mean treasure-hunting along Portobello Road for vintage jewelry and art, or sniffing peonies at Columbia Road Flower Market. Between lectures, Mary Murphy Stroth recommends walking the Regent’s Canal, pub-crawling the towpaths.

Paris Speak softly on the Metro, clutch your wallet on Line 2, and never skip the merci. Hidden gem Au Rêve plates garlicky escargot; Giraffe offers Eiffel views with a prix-fixe. Dress to the nines for Serpent à Plume, a jazz bar where sneakers are sacrilege. Vintage hounds raid Le Marais, especially Système Solère. For downtime, Parc des Buttes Chaumont’s cliffs and lake feel miles from the Latin Quarter. Side-trip: a TGV whisks you to Lyon, where Temps des Copains’ red-velvet bar and the SATC-themed Carrie Bradshop await.

Rome Salad skeptics, rejoice: cacio e pepe at Caligola, pizza al taglio at Antico Forno Roscioli, and stacked sandwiches at Pane e Salame rule the table. Samantha Homme splurges on rooftop wine at Terrazza Borromini, then watches the domes glow from MAIO’s terrace. Shop Via del Corso for mainstream labels, but Revolution Vintage is the go-to for designer purses at thrift prices.

From Catalan fusion to Roman carbs, Badgers abroad have mapped the eats, drinks, and vistas no brochure lists—so pack light, charge your phone, and leave the Bucky hat at home.