After a semester abroad, you learn a lot about a new culture and yourself. For me, a big part of studying abroad is also trying to figure out where I would want to live and work in my career. I spent this semester traveling to six new countries Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Switzerland, Hungary, and Austria.
Studying abroad in general is a huge risk because you are packing your life up in two suitcases and moving to a completely different country. From there, you have no idea what will happen, what to expect, and how it will go. During my semester, there were times where I just wanted to be home, but I knew the friends and family at home wish they could spend time in Europe like I was. It does not really set in till the last week when you feel like the semester flew by and you do not want to leave. It feels like the slowest and also fastest semester of your college career.
But by taking this risk, I met some of the nicest and most down to earth people. I had friends from all over the United States that I now keep in touch with. Making friends is not an issue when you are abroad. Everyone is nervous and excited to meet new people. I was fortunate enough to have four roommates that all got along. It might seem impossible for six girls to live in a four bedroom apartment, but we did it. Everyone was from somewhere different, and we could spent all night telling stories or sharing thoughts. This made my experience so much better having a group of friends to love with.
I did not have high expectation for Rome. I knew the culture would be different and I would have to adjust to it. Their culture is at a slower pace, and when they say a certain time, add an additional twenty minutes and that is when they will show up. The public transportation runs on its own time. There will be times when you are should packed into a bus, or there will be two buses back to back. Efficiency with public transportation was not the best thing. But they say the most predictable thing about Italy and Italians are their unpredictability. Everyday brought new adventures and stories. After 108 days living in Rome, this was an incredible experience, and I am grateful I got to spend it with new and old friends.