It is hard to believe it, but my time abroad has come to an end and I am back in the United States, which fills me with a mix of emotions. One of which is happiness: I am glad to be back home to see local family and friends; I am excited to use modern American conveniences such as driving my car again, using a dryer to dry my clothes and a dishwasher to wash dishes; I am also happy to have time to take a breath and reflect on the past semester after a fast paced four months. Another emotion I am experiencing is one of fulfillment: I finished a semester that wasn’t easy being in a new place, finding a routine, and meeting all new people, while also focusing on making good grades and carefully planning travel and other activities. But with these emotions there is also a bittersweet and nostalgic feeling: Saying goodbye to a place that became like a second home to me, to the restaurants and cafes I became a regular in, to the friends I made who will all move back across the globe, and to the streets I walked and sites I was blessed to see every day. As I currently reflect, it is evident that I have learned more than just economics and business law, I have also learned a lot of valuable lessons and gained deeper insights about myself and the world around me.
One of those lessons is the importance of adaptability. I have lived my whole life in the American south, so there were definitely cultural differences to which I had to adapt. Learning to navigate various airports, public transportation systems in other cities, and communicate with people that spoke a variety of different languages was something I had to do on a daily basis. It was definitely frustrating at times such as when I missed a train from Rome to the beach of Santa Severa because the bus didn’t come on time to take me to the station, or when I was fined for not having a valid train ticket when riding from Rotterdam to Amsterdam even though I was positive I had purchased a ticket, but in the end they not only make for good stories, but they also helped me become more patient overall, improve problem solving abilities, and build a stronger sense of independence.
I believe that I have also gained greater cultural understanding. Whether it was talking to an Uber driver in the Netherlands about the Dutch economy, meeting Czech university students at a local Jazz bar in Prague, or swapping life stories with a stranger in a Paris restaurant, these exchanges provided me with priceless understandings of various viewpoints, lifestyles, and the common humanity that unites us all. When it comes to my time in Rome, Italy, and Europe as a whole, it is clear that I have had a shift in perspective regarding both the world and my own identity. Residing in a different country, immersed in a culture abundant with history and tradition, has made me appreciate the importance of taking my time and being in the moment. Italians often focus on cherishing the little things, whether it is drinking your espresso inside of the cafe instead of taking it to go, taking a longer time at dinner with friends, or admiring the
beauty of a piazza, church, or historical road. This perspective has pushed me to rethink my hurried and productivity-focused routines, emphasizing that life involves more than merely checking off tasks but genuinely connecting with the individuals and surroundings around me.
I could not recommend studying abroad enough – to anyone even considering it, just take a leap of faith. It may seem like you are leaving a lot behind or may be missing out on something in the United States, but what you gain in return is priceless. I will always be grateful for my time abroad and can’t wait to continue to see the world! Grazie e arrivederci!