Goodbye, Roma.

The time has come. Time for me to leave this beautiful city. Time for the experience I waited practically my whole life for to come to an end. I can’t say I’m not sad about it, but I am lucky to say I squeezed as much as I possibly could out of this experience. My whole time here truly has taught me so much and changed me for the better. Every 4am alarm to make a 7am flight, every euro spent, every straight twenty four hours spent traveling, every sprint through metro stations, and every day I have spent here has made me a better person. I have never seen so much, slept so little, eaten so well and grown so quickly. I’ve been to more places in this three month time period than most people see in their entire lives. I’ve never learned so much about myself and this world in my entire life, and I could not be more thankful for that. 

One main lesson I learned here is how to prioritize. I’ve always had a pretty good head on my shoulders and I’ve always known what’s important to me, but when studying abroad brings it to a whole other level. With only three months here, I had to know exactly what I wanted to do with my time. For example, instead of going out every Thursday, I went to bed because I knew I was waking up for a 6am flight Friday morning and I did not want to miss out or sleep through a day because I was too tired or hungover from the night before. Instead of sleeping in, I woke up early to go see as much as I could of whatever city I was in. Instead of spending all my money on clothes or shoes or drinks, I spent it on flights and tickets to museums and experiences.  There’s no right or wrong way to study abroad, but for me, seeing as much as I possibly could was most important, so that’s what I did. I have absolutely no regrets from any of the trips I made and I am so happy I did as much as I could.

The second is that I learned to trust. Ya gotta trust your gut. If it feels like you are going the wrong way, you probably are. If it feels like we are on the wrong train, we probably are. Also, trusting friends. Traveling with friends is a whooollllleeeee different ballgame. Knowing who you are with and knowing they care for you is key. Lastly, trusting strangers. In countries you don’t know the language, you have no choice but to trust that one guy who speaks kinda sorta English to help you out. You just hope for the best and go with it. Fortunately, this world is full of a lot of good people who truthfully want to help.

Next on my list would have to be knowing what I need. This sounds cheesy but it’s true. Traveling takes a lot out of you. A lot. It is physically and mentally exhausting getting on a plane or train every 4 days for three months straight while taking fifteen credit hours. So I let myself sleep every once and a while. Sometimes, after eating pasta and pizza nonstop, all I need is a salad. So yes, I get a salad. When my family left after thanksgiving, I spent all day in bed watching movies. And that’s ok, because without those times of just letting myself have what I need, I would not be sane.

I’ve learned that I love Europe. I absolutely love it. I need to come back as soon and as often as I can. I want to see as much of this world as possible. I have acquired a love for travel.

I have also learned that I can handle being more than an hour and twenty minute car ride away from Joliet. Of course the impossibility of going home was daunting at first for someone who has literally been more than a drive away from home for more than a week, but I managed pretty well. Partly because I was in Rome (duh) and partly because of that whole growing up thing I talked about earlier. Nevertheless, I survived. Lol.

I’ve learned unfortunate travel experiences make for hilarious memories and GREAT dinner table conversation. I’ve learned that I love the challenge of a new city, and that no two cities are the same. Language barriers are a real thing and they do make life harder, but that’s part of the fun. I’ve learned that Subway tastes the exact same in Italy and that freaks me out. I’ve learned that gnocchi is God’s gift to humanity. I’ve learned that you can’t go wrong with the house white wine. I’ve learned that maintaining relationships with friends and family on a different time zone is harder than expected. I’ve learned how to walk. I’ve learned that food actually does taste better than skinny feels. I’m sorry but it does. I’ve learned that study abroad brings out the worst and best in you. 

The most important lesson I’ve learned this semester is that I am incredibly blessed. The fact that I spent three months living in a hotel in the center of Rome with 34 other amazing girls is unbelievable. Even walking around tonight, it was difficult to fathom how lucky we are and how quick it went. I have made some amazing friends that will always hold a special place in my heart. I love and adore them, and I truly would not have made it through these three months without them. They have been there for me at my lowest and highest moments, and nothing can change the bond we have formed. I am so thankful that Saint Mary’s made it so possible for all of us to have this time here, I am thankful I go to a school that wants me to experience so much.  Most of all, I am so thankful I have such great parents who gave me this opportunity. Not a single day here would have been possible without them. No words can describe how grateful I am to have them as parents. I am so blessed to have seen as much as I have, done as much as I have, and lived as fully as I have. 

Europe, I will miss you so dearly, but this is just the beginning of a beautiful romance we share! As for you, J-Town, I will see you soon.