As I enter my final week in Milan, it’s hard to believe how quickly time has passed. It feels like just yesterday I was dragging my suitcase through cobblestone streets, meeting my roommates for the first time, and sitting down to my very first dinner in Italy — full of excitement, nerves, and curiosity. Now, I’m preparing to say goodbye to a city that has become a second home.
This semester abroad has been the most rewarding and unforgettable experience of my life. I’ve cherished every moment — from late-night gelato runs and scenic train rides to meaningful conversations with people from around the world. This is something I’ll carry with me forever and one day tell my future kids about.
One of the most meaningful parts of this journey was growing closer to my fellow Aggies who came abroad with me. We all went from being strangers to making memories in a new city almost every weekend, experiencing challenges, and the kind of growth that only comes from stepping into the unfamiliar. Beyond that group, I formed friendships with students from diverse cultural backgrounds. These relationships expanded my perspective and challenged my way of thinking.
As a marketing student with a focus on retail, this experience has significantly reshaped my perspective on global business. Being in Milan — a fashion capital — gave me the opportunity to observe retail from a new lens. I noticed how deeply local culture influences everything from store design and merchandising to consumer behavior. It’s one thing to study global markets in a classroom, but it’s something else entirely to live within them.
Beyond business, I gained a deeper understanding of how culture shapes people’s perspectives. I saw firsthand how others view Americans, and I also began to reflect more on the culture I come from — what we value, what we take for granted, and how that compares to other ways of life. Studying abroad reminded me just how big the world really is, and how small our own bubbles can be if we never step outside them.
My initial impressions of Italy — warm and lively — proved accurate, but I also came to understand the depth of Italian culture beyond the surface. Every culture comes with its stereotypes, including our own, but I’ve learned how important it is to look past those and understand the values and beliefs that truly shape a society. This experience taught me to be curious when I travel — to talk to locals, ask questions, and listen — because you may never get such genuine insight again.
As I prepare to leave, I’m filled with gratitude. Gratitude for the people I’ve met, the places I’ve seen, and the personal growth I’ve experienced. Studying abroad didn’t just change the way I view the world — it changed the way I see myself in it.
