Ciao Firenze!

             THREE DAYS UNTIL I LEAVE FOR ITALY! I started packing today and it all just hit me…. I am embarking on the biggest journey of my life... in THREE days! I am SO excited but also extremely nervous!

            My thoughts are filled with things from roommates to places where I will visit to food. Am I going to be able to master the Italian language? Who will my roommates be and will we get along? Will I be able to visit every country I want? Will the experience change me? Despite not knowing what will happen, I have high hopes. I hope to come out a much better version of myself. I hope that I make good choices and am able to emerge myself completely in the foreign cultures I come across.

            This semester, I am spending four months studying at the Florence University of Arts in Florence, Italy. I am going to be writing all about my travels throughout Europe right here! I am going abroad knowing only one person in my program as well as a few people scattered throughout different parts of Italy, Germany, and England.

            I have so many expectations for my time abroad. I can only imagine what life is going to be like there! I will even admit, I have watched the past Jersey Shore season to get a small glimpse of my new home. Albeit nervous, I am equally excited. 

            I want to take advantage of my time in Europe by traveling as much as possible. I already have one trip booked: Dublin for St. Patty’s day to start an awesome spring break! I also want to visit Spain, Ireland, Czech Republic, France, Greece, and Monaco, and that is just a start. Although I am so excited, I am also uncomfortable with the fact that I do not speak any of the languages. It seems like a daunting task not even knowing how to ask, “where is the bathroom” or “how do I get to __”. Although I have been assured that many Italian’s speak English, I hope to really learn the language. I have started by slaving away with my Rosetta Stone and I will also be taking a beginners Italian course at FUA. I hope to pick up some of the other languages while I am in the different countries too.  

            With these exciting experiences made possible by being in Europe, I am also going to get a chance to test my skills at planning. How will I get to and from different countries, different cities? What is the cheapest route? What route will fit in with my class schedule or make the most sense for everyone I am traveling with? What will I do there? Where will I stay? The possibility is another that excites the nerves, in a good way.

            The prospect of having new roommates is another thing I am nervous yet equally excited about! I don’t know whom, or even how many roommates I will be having. Will I get along with them? Will we share clothes like I do my friends at school and home? I know that one of my roommates will be my cousin, who is also going on the trip with me. I am so excited to be able to share this experience with her. Although this is our first time ever living together, I am sure it will be a very fun experience, one I will never forget.

            As I mentioned before… I started packing today and I have no idea how I am going to fit everything…. #help!!