Studying in Europe is a dream for all students.
However, with being away from home already being super intimating, an entire semester abroad may be extremely frightening for most students who are “homebodies”.
Rather than spending almost four months away from home, Fairfield students can choose between three to six-week programs in their favorite destination, while also earning class credit and an experience of a lifetime.
With a large variety of options, from Athens to Paris, London to Berlin, etc., the three-week program I selected was in Florence, Italy. I selected this program knowing that I always wanted to travel far away from home, experience new cultures and meet new people.
As my ancestry is from Italy, Florence was my first choice in order to gain knowledge of my family history.
But, what frightened me the most about going abroad was being alone. Being alone is something that is terrifying for many, but unfortunately, something we all have to get used to in life.
As my decision became finalized, I kept repeating the same sentence in my head: “Putting yourself in unfamiliar situations is how you grow as a person.”
Even though I was scared of being alone, and potentially being super uncomfortable for three weeks in another country, I knew I wanted to grow as not only a student but as a person.
Studying in a different country, an eight-hour plane ride away from home, alone, is definitely an unfamiliar situation.
But I can reassure you this was one of the best decisions of my life.
When you speak to a student who has traveled abroad, most of the time, they speak about the food, where they traveled to, and more.
But for me, what I love to speak about from my experience abroad is the people.
To begin, my suitemates from Fairfield University and Providence College showed me that no matter how far away from home you are, you can always find the feeling of “family” wherever you travel.
From making home-cooked meals together during the week to walking each other home at night, my suitemates gave me the reassurance that I needed to be able to come home to individuals who care about my well-being, and are there for me when I need it most.
While in Florence, I took a three-week course in Art and Architecture.
On one of the first days of class, I met my friend Jordan, who attends the University of Tennessee. Days before I met Jordan, I had left my Gucci Bag in Venice, and Jordan offered to go find my bag with me, after only knowing me for a couple of days.
After a total of twelve hours, seven different train rides and some train station McDonald’s in our stomachs, Jordan and I were able to find the bag successfully.
But after that day, the bag was not the most important thing I went home with. I went home with the meaning of true friendship.
In all my life, I have never had a friend stay by my side and support me through my absolute worst. Panicking, afraid and lost in the middle of Dolo, Italy, I had Jordan next to me reassuring me we will find the bag and make it home tonight.
Jordan only met me three days before this experience we shared together, and treated me better than the friends I have had my entire life. Jordan taught me what it means to not only be a good friend but how to be an overall well-rounded individual.
Weeks later, on a weekend trip to Croatia, I met my friend Natalie. The two of us explored together, and she taught me how to always make the most out of everything, and to appreciate every moment.
Not a second went by in Croatia where Natalie and I were not exploring, taking pictures and spending time with one another.
The people in the city of Florence were able to teach me life lessons as well.
A young man who I walked past on the way to class every morning, reminded me to always follow my passions and to utilize my creativity, as he created unique clothing with his own custom designs.
The friendships and the people I met abroad are the most important takeaway I had from my experience.
During the time period I went abroad, I was struggling mentally, and was in desperate need for insprition in my life. The people I met abroad gave me more than inspiration and taught me life lessons that I will carry with me wherever I go. Not only did all these individuals teach me new life lessons while studying abroad, but they inspired me to want to continue to travel and meet new people. And, I loved the trip so much that I will be studying abroad in London for the semester in the Fall of 2023!
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