After a life-changing experience, I always love going back through photos taken throughout it. It’s my way of reliving it and trying to reimagine what I must have been feeling when taking them. Maybe I was nervous, happy, curious or just excited to be there. I find that it also gives me time to reflect. What did I enjoy? What did I dislike? And of course, what’s changed?
I think what surprised me the most of the course of was how comfortable I become in my new environment. At the start of the trip, everything felt new to me. The apartment was different, I had new roommates, new classes and an entirely new culture all around me. Whenever I had to interact I was always nervous that I would do something wrong or that I would out myself as another obnoxious American tourist.
However as the weeks went by, I slowly became more and more comfortable with the routine. I got more used to ordering my coffee in the morning and I started to be able to find my way home without Google Maps. I even started to say some small Italian phrases to order, say excuse me, and generally ask around for directions if I got lost. By the end, it almost felt familiar in a way. When I left, I felt like I left some part of me behind that had grown attached to the way of life there. It surprised me but it also made me happy that I had made such great memories and those I can always bring back.
In my initial application I had a couple main goals. I think this trip has solidified them. And, I think there are 3 parts to that. The first was developing interpersonal connections with people. I met so many different people from different cultures while I was there. Not only Italian, but there were people from all around Europe that I talked to who all had different stories that were each as unique and interesting as any other. I gained a new appreciation for Italian culture. And I made a lot of friends in engineering as well. In some way, I’ve brought a piece of the trip back with me through them and I can’t wait to see them again when the school year starts.
Next, I learned a lot about engineering and I gained a new appreciation for the arts throughout this trip. We studied the Renaissance through learning about famous painters and engineers who helped to make the world what it is today. We also learned about sustainability and how we can work for the future and learn to help allow ourselves and our future generations to flourish. As I go through my degree, I will be able to use what I learned to become a better engineer.
The final goal was a personal goal, and also my piece of advice to anyone thinking about doing study abroad. And that is to always be open-minded. You never know what’ll happen, but if you stay in your comfort zone all the time you’ll never know what the world has to offer. I used every opportunity in this trip to make the most of my time in Italy. And I can say with confidence that I have no regrets from my time.
To wrap things up, I’ll say the same thing I said after I attended Plus 3 Germany my freshman year. One thing’s for certain. I’m not done with Italy. And, I’m not done with traveling either. One day I will come back to Italy and I’ll get to experience it all again. There’s always an experience to be gained and you’ll never know what it is until you go.
Until next time!
Jerry