Studying abroad in Italy gave me a unique chance to broaden my horizons and push myself to try new things. Being independent in a foreign country is intimidating, but it pushes you to be flexible and innovative. We learned how to find our way around a new city, deal with apartment mishaps, and plan our own weekend excursions. We learned so much about Italian culture and how to enjoy long dinners, navigate the train station, and communicate across language barriers. At first it was difficult to adjust to such a different way of doing life. In College Station it feels like I am always on the go between school and all of my organizations and responsibilities. It was refreshing to slow down and enjoy all of the in-between moments that are so important in Italian culture.
The Italian people we met gave us another level of understanding Italian culture. My friends and I took a painting class and our instructor told us about his life and career. He is a very talented artist, and he likes the relaxed pace of Italian life. The business owners we met on our day trips were from a variety of fields, but they were all focused on quality and the art of their trade. Producing the best and respecting the legacy of their field was more important to them than cutting costs to make more profit. On the weekends, we met some younger Italians, and they were all very curious about our politics and thoughts on gun control. I was surprised that this was the topic Italians gravitated towards the most, but it just points to the fascinating cultural differences between America and Italy.
Personally, I enjoyed pushing myself to try new things and be more adventurous than I usually am in America. From taking a canceled taxi as an opportunity to explore the Italian countryside to going cliff jumping at the beach I learned how to adapt and make some of my favorite memories. These memories would not be anything without the people on this trip. The friends I made on this trip were an amazing group from all over campus. We all came from different circles, but we quickly bonded, and I am excited to see them all back in College Station. I will forever be grateful to study abroad for all of these memories and growth and would encourage anyone considering studying abroad to do it!
