As the days count down, I only have one more week left of being abroad, and to be honest I am quiet relieved. A lot of people believe that at all points of studying abroad, that there are only highs. Well, not to be the negative Nancy, there will be lows. There will be points where you want to go home, because you miss certain things, like family, food, your pets, your car and etc. That is perfectly normal. This being my second study abroad experience, I have traveled to over 10 countries, 19 cities, and have made countless of friends. Yet, home will always be home. Therefore, it’s okay to miss home while you are away, it is normal. It is okay to get fed up that you have even pasta ever dinner for a week (that would be me), but do not let that stop you from enjoying your time here. Rome and I have not always agreed, but I am glad I experienced this for a second time.
As an international business major, I could potentially move to different cities and countries across the world. Before studying abroad, I was not afraid of the idea of picking up and moving across the country, but now I realized that it is a completely different world out there. I found places that suited me and others that I could not imagine living in. In order to figure out where in the world you belong, you must explore. You need to figure out your likes and dislikes. What are the things in the United States that you are willing to live without in another country. Again, it has been an eye opening time for me abroad. I have gained different opinions of more cities, because if you have traveled through Italy, you will realize it is very different depending on the region. Rome and I might have not agreed, but I have traveled to places that were always on my bucket list. Places that I want to take my family. I graduate in May, and I do not know another time I will be able to experience this again. Therefore, yeah it might be scary to leave college for a semester because you fear you might miss out, but there is so much more to the world and so much left to explore. You will never know what’s waiting for you on the other side, if you do not check it out.
