We Badgers love our home city, but all it takes is a traumatizing situationship, a hellish semester or a terrible football season to drive us out of Madison and ultimately, out of the country. Maybe that’s why UW is ranked #6 among U.S. universities for student participation in study abroad programs.
To get the inside scoop on abroad, The Badger Herald asked former study abroad students to spill the secrets of their host city, and the result is a compilation of spots to eat, drink and shop in five of the most popular study abroad destinations. Who needs locals, right?
Barcelona, Spain
Beachside clubs, tapas, warm weather … what’s not to love about Barcelona? Well, according to locals, the tourists — so try not to act American, unless you like getting dirty looks from disgruntled Catalonians.
Eat: Branch out from traditional Spanish tapas and try Brazilian-Japanese fusion at Ikibana, the favorite restaurant of Greta Boatcher, who studied in Barcelona spring 2025. And don’t leave town without sharing a jarra of sangria with friends!
Drink: Greta recommends Shôko, a vibrant club that’s literally just steps away from the beach if you’re in the mood for a post-dancing swim. For a more laid-back night out, Paradiso is a glamorous and dimly lit bar that serves up creative cocktails in a cave-like atmosphere.
Plus: The best views of the city can be found at the Bunkers del Carmel, old anti-aircraft structures built during the Spanish Civil War, says Alex Harrington (spring 2025).
Florence, Italy
Once home to prolific Renaissance artists such as Michelangelo and Leonardo DaVinci, Florence now hosts enough UW-Madison students to fill a piazza. I bet the locals love that!
Eat: Florence is known for schiacciata, a crisp, thin bread that’s the perfect vessel for sandwiches stuffed with fixings like Italian meats and cheeses. The best spot to get one is Schiacciateria De’Neri, according to Badger Herald staff member Sophie Wooldridge, who studied in Florence last spring.
Drink: Italians like to unwind in the evening with an aperitivo, a pre-dinner drink often paired with something to snack on. Jana Gharia (spring 2025) recommends Bulli & Balene for the best aperitivo on the south bank of the Arno. For coffee, Riley Schaaf (spring 2025) recommends Vivaldi, a café with friendly service where cozy armchairs abound.
Plus: If you thought Madison was the world’s drunkest city, think again: Florence has several spots that offer takeaway drinks. One of Sophie’s favorites is Un Caffè Bistrot in Piazza della Santissima Annunziata.
London, UK
Wow, I can’t believe they built a whole city based on “Paddington” (2014)! Just kidding, I know London was inspired by the classic film “Notting Hill.”
Eat: London is known for its Indian food, and ArtsEtc. Editor Julia Vetsch, who studied there last spring, reports that Khan’s of Kensington is the best place to get it. For dinner with a side of jazz, Mary Murphy Stroth (fall 2025) recommends The Blues Kitchen in Shoreditch.
Drink: Both Mary and Julia recommend Heaven, a bustling gay club, for a lively night out. Rather grab a pint at a classic British pub? The Covent Garden neighborhood is full of them, Julia says.
Shop: Portobello Road Market in Notting Hill is a treasure trove of homemade jewelry, watches,, art and more, according to Julia — and if you’re in London on a Sunday, she suggests checking out Columbia Road Flower Market in Bethnal Green.
Plus: Mary recommends taking a stroll along London’s canals, which are lined with pubs and restaurants to explore.
Paris, France
Last spring, I studied abroad in Paris — perhaps you’ve heard of it? Does “city of love” ring a bell? Here’s my unsolicited advice for visitors: Be quiet on the Metro, always say “Merci!” when you leave a shop and hold onto that wallet on Metro line 2!
Eat: Sample some truly exquisite escargot at Au Rêve, a bistro that’s yet undiscovered by tourists, or just order a baguette de tradition at any bakery and eat it at a nearby park. My fellow temporary Parisian, Stella Sutton (spring 2025), recommends Girafe for a swanky meal with an Eiffel Tower view.
Drink: Paris is bursting with chic jazz bars and ritzy clubs — Stella’s favorite spot is Serpent à Plume. Just remember, you can never be overdressed for a night out in Paris! Don’t even think about packing your battered pair of Air Force 1s you’ve had since freshman year — they might be OK at the KK, but not at Parisian clubs.
Shop: The stylish Le Marais neighborhood has all the best vintage shopping spots, among them, Système Solère, a curated shop where I unearthed some of my favorite closet staples.
Plus: Spend a warm spring afternoon reading at my favorite spot in all of Paris, Parc des Buttes Chaumont.
Sidequest: Lyon, which is widely recognized as the gastronomic capital of the world, is just a short train ride away from Paris. Kaya Sethi, who studied there in spring, recommends stopping by Temps des Copains, an old-fashioned bar draped in red velvet, and Carrie Bradshop, a Sex and the City-themed vintage clothing store. I guess Big moved to Lyon, not Paris.
Rome, Italy
As the saying goes: “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” And by Romans, I don’t mean actual residents of Rome, but the UW-Madison students who spent four months there, of course. Close enough.
Eat: You’d be hard-pressed to find a salad in Rome, a city that’s known for its carb-heavy dishes. Try the cacio e pepe at Caligola, pizza by the slice at Antico Forno Roscioli and colossal sandwiches at Pane e Salame, all recommendations of Samantha Homme, who studied in Rome last spring.
Drink: Splurge on a bottle of wine at the sophisticated Terrazza Borromini, then watch the sunset while sipping a cocktail on the rooftop of MAIO Restaurant, two of Samantha’s favorite spots.
Shop: Via del Corso, Rome’s main shopping street, has it all, but for fans of vintage purses and handbags like myself, Samantha recommends checking out Revolution Vintage.
