There simply aren’t enough words to describe what these past 6 weeks have meant to me. I’m so grateful to ISI Florence for giving me the opportunity to experience this life-changing chapter.

Before coming to Italy, I heard people talk about studying abroad and how it was “the best experience of their life,” but I never truly understood what that meant. I thought it sounded amazing, but I never realized how much one experience could change the way you see the world, the people around you and even yourself.

Now, sitting here after 43 days of living in Italy, I finally understand. I have experienced more life, happiness, growth, culture and connection in this short amount of time than I ever could have imagined. I came here hoping to travel, explore and make memories, but I am leaving with so much more than that.

I’m leaving with a new perspective.

I’ve stepped so far outside of my comfort zone, challenged myself in ways I never expected and can genuinely feel the shift in who I am becoming. This experience has reminded me how much life there is to live.

Learning to Slow Down

Living in Italy has completely changed the way I see the world. Adjusting to a new culture was challenging at times, but it was also one of the most rewarding parts of this experience.

Italy taught me to slow down, appreciate the little moments and stop rushing through life.

The culture here is so centered around enjoying the present, sitting at dinner for hours, having real conversations, taking walks without a destination and appreciating the beauty around you. I have learned that life does not always need to be planned perfectly. Sometimes the best memories happen when you allow yourself to simply be present. Being surrounded by a different culture has also taught me to understand people more deeply. Everyone I have met has been so welcoming, genuine and kind. I never realized how easy it could be to create real human connections with people you have just met.

Throughout every city we visited, we met people who left an impact on me. Some people I may never see again, but I know I will never forget them. There is something so special about sharing a moment with someone, even if it is temporary.

The People Who Made This Experience

The people have truly been one of the best parts of this experience. The people I came here with, the people I met along the way and the friendships I built have made these weeks unforgettable. It amazes me how quickly strangers can become some of the most meaningful people in your life.

In such a short amount of time, I created friendships, shared meals, traveled to new places, explored new cities and made memories that I know I’ll carry with me forever.

This experience showed me how easy it can be to connect with people when you allow yourself to be open. I have loved meeting new people, having conversations with strangers, learning about different lives and sharing moments with people from all over the world. One of the biggest things study abroad taught me is that there are so many incredible people out there waiting to be met. There are friendships, connections and experiences you cannot plan, you just have to be willing to say yes.

That is what study abroad gave me, moments I never could have predicted.

The Adventures I’ll Never Forget

I still cannot believe the places I have been able to see. Over these six weeks, I traveled to Florence, Tuscany, Rome, Sorrento, Capri, Mallorca, Croatia, Venice and Cinque Terre.

I learned how to navigate airports, trains, buses and public transportation. I learned how to pack lightly. I learned how to figure things out on my own. I gained confidence in myself and realized I am capable of so much more than I thought.

I have done things I never imagined I would do. I saw the Duomo, danced with strangers at Piazzale Michelangelo, made homemade pasta in Italy, rode a vespa through Tuscany, saw the Colosseum and Trevi Fountain, spent days on boats in Capri, explored private islands, went to dinner alone, went on party boats in Mallorca and Croatia, zip-lined over mountains, ate incredible food and made memories with people from all over the world.

Every day abroad gave me another reminder of how lucky I am to experience this chapter of my life.

Leaving Italy Different Than I Came

This experience has made me realize that life does not end after college. There is so much world out there. There are so many places to see, people to meet and memories waiting to be made. Before this trip, I think I was scared of stepping outside of what I knew. Now I know that the best things happen when you do exactly that.

I am leaving Italy more confident, happy, grateful and present. I know that when I wake up back in America, it might feel like this was all a dream. But it wasn’t. It was real.

I lived in Italy for six weeks when I was 21 years old. I explored new countries. I met incredible people. I created memories I will carry forever. I became a version of myself I didn’t even know existed. I am so proud of myself for saying yes to studying abroad. 

Words will never be able to fully explain what these past six weeks have meant to me. All I have left are pictures, videos and memories that prove this chapter of my life actually happened.

Thank you, Italy, for teaching me how to slow down. Thank you, study abroad, for pushing me outside my comfort zone. Thank you for showing me how much life there is to live. I love Italy more than I could ever explain. And I promise I’ll be back one day.

Thank you study abroad for changing my life. 

-Bella Hunt, Lily Roth, Mia Foley and Ava Blair

www.linkedin.com/in/bella-hunt-764042338

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lily-roth4

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mia-foley-48b979297

https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-ava-blair