Bulldogs Abroad Blog

Written by: Valeria Sokolova  |  Spring 2024
ISEP Study in Tokyo – Japanese Language & International Studies

At the time of writing, I have only one day left of the semester. Or, rather, it is the last day of the semester; like with the majority of my essays and reports, inspiration reveals itself in the early hours of the morning.

I originally had several different ideas, but after perhaps one of the most difficult episodes of my life (a stressful breakup, an intense health scare, some credit transfer drama, and the burden that is the state of American politics), I felt this post would be better used as a reflection piece. Although I confess much of my reflections are discoveries about myself and less so about my host country or the semester abroad overall.

Ultimately, my objective was to challenge myself. Profoundly. Would I survive by myself in a foreign country? Specifically, a country which is so culturally and socially diverged from my own? Additionally, would the sheer distance drive me mad?

Did I have the capacity to adapt?

Short answer is yes. This post is proof of it. Naturally I had other academic and personal goals for the semester (the majority of which I comfortably feel I accomplished), but I noticed in the middle of the semester that I had this all-consuming dread or disappointment festering in the pits of my entity. I couldn’t diagnose its causes at first (or even its very nature), but I came to understand that this feeling was unfulfillment and its causes stemmed from my failure to reconcile my expectations with reality.

Reader, I confess that I came to Japan with no expectations. It was restricted to society and culture, however, and I realized later that I expected university to operate much in the same way Butler did. Though I’m not entirely sure why. I went from Socratic seminars and research projects and personal essays to Powerpoint Presentations (read word-for-word off the screen) and a single, uniform, inflexible final exam to measure what I took away from my various courses.

I forfeited my creative liberty and the intellectual challenge I enjoyed and evidently took for granted at Butler.

(Tokyo also brought me back to high school, because it operates on a block schedule with passing periods and class-start and -end bells. And the cafeterias unearthed an ancient panic from that era.)

“Taken for granted” is the theme of this post, because as soon as I came to understand I felt unfulfilled I started to notice a multitude of other things I forfeited when coming to Japan, things I accepted as constants when I was in the United States. The biggest is community.

As an ex-quiet kid, my social groups are years in the making and a major source of how I perceive myself. My friends, my family, my coworkers, my church, my compatriots, so on and so forth — these groups reinforce my purpose in existence. That is, they remind me that I have a role and I have a place.

Obviously the digital age and its innovations allow me to maintain some sort of connection even when I cannot physically be with my groups, but in my case the reality leaves much to be desired. I always called my friends back home, but I also had the advantage of being able to drive to them and see them, physically. I always texted my coworkers back home, but I also had the privilege of being able to work alongside them, physically. I always texted my brothers back home, but I also had the luxury of living next door to them. These mundane things hold so much fondness now, when before they were just another fact-of-life.

But even then, they weren’t.

Most notably was my visits to the Orthodox cathedral in Chiyoda. I went once for divine liturgy (which I left early, due to fatigue) and another time to buy icons of Saint Nicholas of Japan. Visiting Nikolai-do was incredibly bittersweet, as it is one of the few places in Japan where I don’t feel like an outsider. The bitterness flavors this experience because of the incongruence of what I experience at home (and therein what I recognize as “the divine liturgy”) versus what I experienced at the cathedral.

So, even when I felt like I was in familiar territory, I was still an alien. It never occurred to me that serving and singing in Church Slavonic as opposed to Classical Japanese was something I should value, but again. Something I took as a fact-of-life when it was anything but.

This semester was a five-month lesson in empathy and gratitude. As the saying goes, “you never know what you’ve got until it’s gone” — it’s painfully true. This isn’t to say that I hated being in Japan, because the opposite is true. This has been a childhood dream come true, and I have this opportunity thanks to the assistance and sacrifices of my family and community.

More than anything, this experience motivates me to live differently. To never take things for granted. To never accept things as facts-of-life. To acknowledge the ephemeral nature of human existence, and in doing so live with greater courage.

Have courage, friends.

Written by: Caroline Gross |  Summer 2024
The Pursuit of Life, Love and Happiness in the Developing World in Kenya

Deciding to study abroad in Africa was one of the best decisions I could have made for myself. I have always had a desire to travel and learn more about the world. This was my first opportunity to leave the United States and I am so happy that I had the opportunity and ability to go to Africa. Through studying abroad I was able to be fully immersed in a new culture which allowed me to learn so much. While my trip was short, it was life-changing. I have new perspectives from the experiences I got while away.

Since being back in the United States a question I continue to get is “What was your favorite part?” and while I enjoyed every second of the trip I have a specific answer. My favorite part of the trip was meeting the locals, hearing their stories, and learning from them. Without them, this trip would not have led to as much growth for me. Everyone was so welcoming and willing to share their time and experiences with me which I am forever grateful for. Thelocals had the biggest impact on my experiences and overall growth from this opportunity. My experiences in Kenya have furthered my education and professional growth. As an education major, it was very valuable to learn about the education system in Kenya by directly seeing it and hearing about it from the people who have been a part of it. I also got to explore the beautiful environment through different excursions. I am extremely grateful that I had the opportunity to travel to Kenya and be fully immersed in this learning experience. I hope to continue to grow as an individual through further exploration of the world.

Written by: Ben Johovich |  Summer 2024
Arts and Engineering in Ireland

I’m going to use this opportunity to rave about my trip abroad in Ireland and how it was a wonderful way for me personally to gain a better appreciation for art and architecture. There are many good reasons to study abroad; some may be cliche, but I promise they are all true. I saw this trip as a great opportunity to see a part of the world I never had the chance to when I was younger. And I couldn’t recommend it more, it is a great way to see some amazing places, meet new people, and have unforgettable experiences with your friends. From the art aspect, I love the street art in Dublin it gives the city a very modern vibe and the buildings are very mixed in classical and modern style. I also highly recommend going on study abroad trips with a very open mind and being willing to pack your schedule with events. Although you may be tired it will be nothing compared to the phenomenal memories you will make.

One of my favorite parts of the trip is the new appreciation of the arts I gained while on this trip. I had a very stereotypical view of artwork before and none of it really made sense. However, this trip allowed me to gain a new perspective on artwork and how it is not always paintings in a frame. You can see artwork and artistic ability in a number of different places and styles. Street art especially grabbed my attention because it is a very vibrant, smooth, and unique style that really adds to the character of a building. The architecture is also a very unique and beautiful feature of the city. A mixture of the 1700s and 1800s classical styles and the new modern style means that Dublin is unlike any city you can find here in the US.

Overall studying abroad is an amazing experience and an excellent way for people like me, who never had the funds or time to travel, to have some truly once-in-a-lifetime experiences and meet amazing people. For anyone reading this, I cannot stress enough how highly I recommend this program and study abroad in general. I know I’m so glad that I did and you will too.

Written by: Katerina Anderson   |  Spring 2024
ISEP Exchange Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore

1. Bring headphones or earbuds everywhere (noise-canceling preferably) 

• I had a 45–50-minute commute on the subway daily, and it was so nice to relax while listening to a podcast or music. Sometimes the subways can also get pretty busy and overstimulating, so it’s nice to retreat into your own little world during those times.

2. Carry around a pocket notebook! 

• I loved carrying a small notebook in my backpack or purse that allowed me to write down observations or thoughts I had during my commute or while sitting on a bench outside my university. It’s nice to have a physical copy of a thought or idea that’s not on your phone. In the same vein, a tiny sketchbook would be really cool to have if you’re into art and want to sketch different buildings you come across. One of my friends I met abroad did this, and it was a super cute record of the different places she visited. 

3. Pay attention to the weather (please, please, please) 

• I feel like a lot of people who study abroad in Europe in the spring go there thinking it’s going to be a European summer all year round and don’t pack the right clothing for their environment. I was in Milan for my study abroad, and it was pretty chilly and EXTREMELY rainy from February into early March. Contrary to students at Butler, people in Italy don’t just tough it out and walk through the rain. Everyone around you will have an umbrella, so you should too, and I’m assuming the rest of Europe is the same way. 

4. ALWAYS pay for public transport 

• I cannot stress this point enough. Always pay for public transportation. Public transport is incredibly cheap, and fines can range from 50 to 75 euros. This is an important thing to consider when traveling to other countries in Europe because every city will have different methods of payment and ways to obtain transport tickets/cards. In Budapest, I had to download their specific city app to ride the buses and trams. In Milan, you can use tap-to-pay on almost every method of public transport. Let this be your warning, and if your friends are trying to avoid paying, please urge them against it! 

5. ALWAYS carry a portable charger with you 

• Bringing a portable charger with me in my backpack and purse always came in handy. My phone has a relatively good battery life, but when you’re using maps to navigate to different places throughout the day, your battery drains pretty quickly by the late afternoon. You never want to be stranded without a way to find your way back home! 

6. Keep tissues in your backpack or purse for any occasion that arises 

• For one of my trips, I took a 10-hour bus ride to Naples from Milan, and about five hours into that journey, there was no more toilet paper in the bus bathroom. There were also times on trains when there was no toilet paper or paper towels left. Luckily, I always carried around tissues or extra napkins with me for emergencies! 

7. Get a self-filtering water bottle!!! 

• This was by far one of the best purchases I made for myself before going abroad. I purchased the LifeStraw water bottle, which advertised that it could be used anywhere “from airport bathrooms to a tap in Mexico or a gas station while road-tripping.” If you plan on traveling during your time abroad, having a self-filtering water bottle will be extremely beneficial when you’re in areas that advise against drinking tap water or where there isn’t access to a filtered water spout/area. In addition to providing you with clean water wherever you go, carrying around a water bottle in general will save you a little extra money when you’re out since water isn’t free in most places outside of the U.S. 

8. Get a travel backpack! 

• Invest in a good travel backpack now and pack it inside your suitcase. If you’re planning on doing any travel that involves flying on airlines such as Ryanair, EasyJet, Wizz Air, etc., you must be able to fit everything you’ll need for a trip into a bag that fits under your seat. Otherwise, you’ll have to pay the 50 euros they charge for a carry-on bag to put in the overhead bin. In addition to bringing a travel backpack, pack travel containers for your products to condense them when you need to fly. 

9. Use the bathroom before starting your commute 

• This is just a personal rule of thumb that I think everyone should follow. Public restrooms are not common in Europe, and the likelihood of a business letting you use their restroom without purchasing something is very slim. Even if you don’t think you need to use the bathroom, it’s always better to go ahead and try before you walk out the door. 

10. Make sure your finances are squared away and budgeted! 

• Talk to your parents and figure out what the best credit card will be for your circumstances, focusing on international exchange rates and fees. If there’s still time left, utilize the CGE all-in-one scholarship application to see if you’re eligible for any money from the Butler abroad office. Reach out to the dean of your specific college (CCOM, Lacy, JCA, etc.) as well, because sometimes colleges will offer specific scholarships for their students. 

Written by: Payton Gallowitch   |  Fall 2024
Butler Semester in Spain

Brief background

Growing up, my family hosted foreign exchange students from countries all over the world. They would go to school and stay with us for the entire year, becoming another member of the family. I was lucky enough to get a taste of each of  their cultures and languages while they studied abroad and explored American culture for the first time. Going from being the hostess to being the student that is getting hosted, I have been able to truly put myself in their shoes and understand this experience from their perspective. Although the following topics are addressed to all of my previous students, I hope anyone can find the value in these observations, be inspired to experience it for themselves, or find similarities from their personal time abroad.

I understand now how nerve racking it is to use a new language 24/7

It is easy to learn a new language and leave it in the classroom when you go home or hangout with friends. However, studying abroad does not always leave you with that privilege and challenges you to put this new language to use in all aspects of your life. No matter how many classes I have taken, using the language in real time and in person with native speakers is going to be intimidating. I am telling myself the same thing my family told you when you first got to the States: You know more of this language than you think, and practicing is the only way it will get better. Failing is part of learning and sometimes is the best way to understand something more clearly.

I understand now why you were so excited to see the things that none of us even batted an eye at anymore.

I remember distinctly a moment while driving on the highway, you had a huge grin on your face and took a picture of almost every semitruck that we passed. At the time, I found it difficult to understand how something so typical and seemingly redundant could be so shocking or intriguing to someone else. Yet here, I have no shame. I am taking pictures of so many things that are normal and simply a part of life for the people that live in Spain, but for a girl from Northwest Indiana are incredibly beautiful or special. I am finding so much beauty in the smallest of things here and find myself getting lost in things that most Spaniards would consider normal or boring.

I understand now why you were so shy the first few weeks.

You were in a new country with new people and a new language and were expected to just jump right in. Everyone around you was going through life as normal and you were taking in what most people had told you was meant to be the most impactful and fulfilling times of your life. That is a big expectation to live up to. In my first few weeks here, I made sure to prioritize myself and gave myself grace to adjust to everything. Sometimes that meant taking a nap or going on a walk by myself, but in doing so, I had more energy to open up and explore in the weeks that followed. I was more reserved and had not shown all my personality, but that is like most new things in my life, it takes a little bit to warm up.

I understand now why you were so confused at some things that seemed normal to me.

That was your very first time seeing the culture of my country, and even more so, the cultural tendencies and customs we maintained in my family. I did a lot of observing when I first got here and just tried to pay attention to how people carried themselves, how they interacted with one another and the pace they went about their days with. Meals here are a time to connect with the people around you and are really valued as a social aspect. In Spain, you never are rushing to finish a meal to make it to an event or to move on to the next thing. This is a time to relax and be present with your family (especially when everyone is done eating). I have done a lot of staring in my time here all for learning purposes.

I understand now why you left me so many of your things and clothes when you went back home.

Although unfortunate for you, it was usually a win in my book. As a little girl I had something that reminded me of your time with us (and of course always loved adding new clothes to my closet). This is something I have been warned about a countless number of times and still willingly chose to pack my suitcase to the brim when coming abroad. I still have over a month left in the semester and I am strategizing how best to bring home all the items and gifts I have obtained since being here. I cannot wait to repay the favor and leave some of my clothes behind to my loving host family as a symbol of my appreciation and something to remember me by.

I understand now that some nights you had to go to bed early.

How could you go to sleep when you are in a new country with new food and new people and new schedules? Just because I am in a new country, does not mean that I am suddenly superhuman and don’t require the same amount of rest that I do at home. Actively listening to your nonnative language all day is surprisingly exhausting for your brain. Not only is the language aspect an obstacle, but pushing yourself out of a routine and into discovering pieces of the space around you can get tiring. “Say yes to everything” is a beautiful saying to push you to be spontaneous and get out of your comfort zone, but sometimes you will be able to say yes to so many more things if you say no when your body needs to slow down.

Written by: Rylee Ugen  |  Summer 2024
Health Benefit of the Mediterranean Lifestyle

You will hear it time and time again- studying abroad will change your life, just as it changed mine. Being able to immerse yourself in another culture and see how other people live can really open your eyes. Before coming on this trip, I lived a very fast-paced life, constantly thinking about the next plan or goal. Don’t get me wrong, this way of life is very productive but getting stuck in this can be detrimental. Studying abroad taught me so many life lessons which I will carry with me forever.

Challenging your realities:

Life in Florence, Italy is enjoyable. People here take their time to do things and they live in the moment. When I first arrived in Italy, I was shocked to see that most places don’t even open until 10:00am! At first, I was confused and wondered when they had time to get their jobs done but by the end of the week, I understood why they did this. When you take time to slow down, you are able to live in the present and that is a gift. Most dinner restaurants don’t open until 7pm and dinners last longer than they do in America. Why is this? It’s simple, Italians cherish their time, something I, like many other Americans, are not used to.

Embracing the uncomfortable:

Independence is a great aspect of studying abroad and it teaches many people how to problem solve on their own. However, this independence can make one miss their family, like me. The only way to push past an obstacle is to embrace the uncomfortable. Personally, being away from home for too long makes me homesick, not to mention the time difference and lack of Wi-Fi. This made it difficult to talk to my family but in order to live this experience to the fullest, you must push past that. Once I did, I had some of the most incredible experiences of my life.

Tips for studying abroad:

1. Try and use the language as much as possible.

1. • Doing so not only shows respect, but it allows you to learn new things.

2. Remember why you went on the trip in the first place.

2. • It’s easy to see the itinerary for the day and think, “this isn’t really my thing, I know it won’t be fun.” But that’s the beauty of study abroad-trying new things and embracing them. Remind yourself this trip is once in a lifetime.

3. Soak in every moment.

3. • Before you know it, your trip will be over, so enjoy every second of it.

If you are thinking about studying abroad, do it. The memories I made and the experiences I did are something I will never forget and will tell my kids one day. A lot can changed in just a short amount of time so embrace every moment. During this trip I was able to push past the uncomfortable, open my eyes to new realities, and gain a new passion for traveling and seeing other places.

Written by: Ellie Brill  |  Spring 2024
BU Exchange: Macquarie University (Sydney)

As a Biology Major, I hadn’t thought that studying abroad was a viable option for me – I didn’t think that I would be able to find a program, or that credits were transferable. Turns out, that’s not true at all! With the help of the CGE, finding a program was super easy. I ended up signing up to go to Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia.

I chose Australia for a few reasons. First, the only other language I speak is Spanish – and I certainly don’t speak it well enough to take an upper-level Biology course in. The second reason is that I figured Australia is far enough from the U.S. to feel different, but similar enough for me to adjust in only five months. Having now lived here for five months, I’m glad I chose it. Australia is such a beautiful country! Sydney is unlike any other city, there is so much greenery everywhere, the air is fresh, and the public transportation is wonderful (and cheap). The beaches are worth all the hype they get, but I prefer the Blue Mountains and the many museums. Being here, I’ve gotten incredibly comfortable using public transportation like the bus, metro, train, and even the ferry sometimes.

Macquarie University is also wonderful. It was built on land traditionally owned by the Wallumattagal Clan of the Dharug Nation. I chose to take a class here on Indigenous Australia to learn more about the traditional custodians of the land, and I’m so thankful I did so. I actually think the education in different GHS classes I’ve taken at Butler has prepared me for learning and discussing topics like this in different cultures. The university campus is beautiful and in a great part of the city. Macquarie sits right on the edge of what I consider ‘downtown’ – although Australians don’t use that term. I was also able to join one of the upper voices a cappella groups on campus – the Macabellas. I made many friends and got to practice one of my hobbies through that group.

What has made the most difference to me, and I’m sure all study abroad and exchange students would agree, is the people I’ve met. The best friend I have here I met in my residential college (MRC). Her name is Mar, she’s 26, from Mexico City, and getting her Master’s in Environmental Science at Macquarie. Mar has really been a role model for me and has shown me how to come out of my shell. I thought that I had grown a lot as a person in my 3 years at Butler, but these past few months with Mar have really made me flourish. From Mar I have met three other friends from Mexico – Guillermo (Memo), Adela (Adelita), and Juan Pedro (Jepe). I have also met two Argentinians through Mar -Trinidad (Trini) and Gaston (Gasti). They refer to themselves as ‘Los Latinos’, and they have welcomed me into their group with open arms. I mentioned upon meeting Mar that I am getting my Minor in Spanish, and since then, they have made it their mission to make sure I leave Australia speaking better Spanish than when I arrived. The irony is not lost on me that I traveled to the other side of the world and made a friend group consisting almost entirely of people from the same continent that I came from. Apart from the language and cultural education I’ve gained from Los Latinos, I’ve found a group of friends unlike anything I’ve ever known. The truth about studying abroad is that for as fun and exciting as it is, it’s also really hard and scary at times! Personally, I had never been this far away from my family and certainly not for this long. Especially being in Australia, the time difference makes it incredibly difficult to communicate with people back home. But, the friends I made here made all the difficult times bearable. Memo taught me a lot about the balance between being responsible and taking care of yourself. Trini and Adelita taught me how to dance (which I desperately needed a lesson in). Gasti and Jepe were always there to bring me up in the times I was down. The friendships that I’ve made over the past five months will be ones that I carry with me forever. We’ve already got plans to meet up over Butler’s fall break!

I would recommend that everyone study abroad if they’re given the opportunity to do so. The things you will experience and the people you will meet will genuinely change your life. I’m so excited to come back to Butler with this new perspective on life, and I hope to return to Sydney in the future <3

Written by: Jinna Hyatt  |  Fall 2025
ISEP Exchange: Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (Milan)

My sophomore year at Butler, I had the opportunity to be a part of the International Diversity Ambassador (DA) Program ran by Ms. Bobbie Gibson, who is the Associate Director of International Student Services and Incoming Exchange at the Center for Global Education. My role as a DA is to be a mentor, as well as a resource, for incoming international students. Although it takes a lot of effort and coordination, this program is the most rewarding organization that I have had the privilege to be a part of during my time at Butler.

One of my best friends, Esther Gonzalez, told me about the DA Program, and we both applied for the position together. I instantly felt very welcomed by the community of other DA’s once we began training for our first international students to arrive. From picking them up at the airport to taking them to their first trip to Walmart, I felt proud as I began to make lifelong friendships with incoming international students each semester as well as seeing them grow on campus.

It has always been a dream of mine to study abroad  once I got to college, but I was very nervous to live in another country. However, as I watched many international students come to Butler and thrive outside of their comfort zone, I felt inspired by their stories to want the same for myself. Therefore, I have gone on two study abroad programs back-to-back: the summer Butler in Asia Singapore Internship and the fall semester ISEP Exchange Program.

Living in Milan, Italy, as an international student has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows, but ultimately, I cherish every memory that I have made during my time abroad. From running to catch my train with gelato in my hand to reuniting with past international students in their home country, this experience will forever be one of the greatest times of my life that I got to live to the fullest thanks to my mom, my boyfriend, Ms. Bobbie, my scholarships, and all of my friends across the world.

Written by: Annamarie Kushnir  |  Spring 2024
ISEP Exchange: Johannes Kepler Universität, Linz, Austria

Servus!

Renowned as the birthplace of classical musical legends such as Mozart and Wolfgang, the origin of Redbull, and the notorious wiener schnitzel dish, Austria became my home for five months. After the previous restless semester of my junior year, I was exhilarated to pack my bags and move 4,651 miles to Austria’s third most-populated city, Linz. Austria seemed to have everything I desired: music, nature, café culture, and fashion. Friendship, however, would be a challenge to tackle on my own.

As someone who didn’t normally step away from their comfort zone, the sea of strangers made me anxious, however, I decided to finally break the barrier of unfamiliarity and forge new acquaintances with my fellow peers (as well as some furry friends), which turned out to be one of the best decisions I made during my study abroad experience. I connected with individuals from every corner of the globe (literally!), such as Kenya, Australia, Thailand, Mexico, India, Italy, and more. As someone who expresses a significant interest in cultural and historical studies, meeting people from various backgrounds fascinated me. I still remember the deep, late-night communal kitchen conversations with friends, reminiscing about our hometowns, while indulging in a steaming cup of authentic Pakistani chai tea. My advice? For many individuals, studying abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, offering much more than travel. It is a wonderful opportunity to create meaningful global connections and acquire variance in perspective, sculpted by regional and cultural differences. Looking back, there were instances when I found myself preoccupied with how individuals perceived me, whether that be from my actions or attire, but one must always remember that true friendship prevails over judgment.

While in Austria, I discovered that the country’s lively outdoor culture facilitated personal connection and eased the awkwardness that typically arises from introductory, surface-level conversations. During the day, endless rows of stores offer various opportunities for shopping (and discovering one of the best ice cream places!). One can see the Alps tower over the Austrian landscape in just a thirty-minute tram ride, which is ideal for ski trips and mountain getaways. In the nighttime, cafés bustle with energy as people enjoy their evening meals. There are always fun activities to plan here!

While making new, international friends is an exciting experience and an important component during one’s time abroad, one must not forget to give oneself time to adapt and slowly integrate. So remember to take your time and get well-adjusted.

That being said, I am very grateful for the friendships I’ve made along this journey. It taught me that even though we live in a polarized world, human connectedness interlaces people from diverse backgrounds to create unique relationships. While I’ve only lived in Austria for two months, I’m eager to see what other opportunities await and people to meet!

As the Austrians would say,

Tschüss!

Written by: Brynn Cumicek  |  Spring 2024
Wells in Florence

This semester I am studying at Lorenzo De Medici through the Wells in Florence program, and I love it! I would recommend this program to anyone looking to study abroad in Italy. I have traveled to many cities in Italy during my time here, and Florence will forever be my top choice for where to study abroad. While being in Florence, I have been able to explore and try so many new things that it’s starting to feel like home, which is not something you would get studying in a bigger city.

While studying abroad, I am making sure I take advantage of all the opportunities given to me and really get to know Italy during my time here. The Wells in Florence program does a great job of offering trips and activities for their students to really dive into the Italian culture. I will be attending two overnight trips put on by Wells: an overnight trip to Venice and an overnight trip to Monte Carlo, Monaco, and the Italian Riviera. Along with the two I am attending, they offer many more, such as hiking in  the Alps and Lake Garda and a day trip to Cinque Terre. Planning these trips on your own can be very stressful, and you may miss important activities you wish you would have done, but Wells does this all for you and takes the stress away. All you have to do is pay a certain price, and the transportation, hotel, and activities are all planned for you, along with some free time to get the most out of these trips. I am also participating in activities such as climbing the duomo, visiting museums, wine tasting, cooking classes, farmers markets, food tastings, and more activities offered to me through this program.

The Wells program has an awesome relationship with many landlords around Florence that allows them to offer us apartments in the most amazing locations. I love where I live. I am a 2-minute walk from the Duomo, 12 minutes or less to all my classes, and within walking distance of any stores, museums, restaurants, tourist attractions, and public transportation if I want to go on any trips. Being so close to everything I need makes me feel safe, knowing that if I ever need something, I am only minutes away.

When I first arrived in Italy, I had no idea what to expect because it was my first time in Europe. I didn’t know any Italian, and I thought the language barrier was going to be a very difficult thing, yet it was not. To my surprise, most people I talked to, whether it was at a restaurant, school, or just out in public, spoke a good amount of English, and I was able to have conversations with everyone. I also started learning Italian while I was here for one of my classes, and it’s also something that’s helping me communicate and learn more about Italian culture.

Throughout my time here, I have made lifelong friends and memories that will stay with me forever. It is a very strange yet happy feeling to walk down the street in Italy and recognize people or have others recognize you; it has made it feel like a second home to me. The relationships I have made abroad are so special and something I will never forget. I had the opportunity to meet so many people, travel, and start seeing the world, which has been a dream of mine. This experience has taught me how to be more independent and how important it is to take all the opportunities given to you. Italy has become such a big part of my life that it is going to be a hard goodbye, but I’m also looking forward to coming home and seeing my friends and family.