You know when you have one of those moments where you realize this is it: my life is about to change. This is definitely one of those moments. I’m about to embark on a journey, and I know things will never be the same.

I’m Rachel, a junior studying print journalism at Penn State University. I’m going to be traveling over the next 18 hours to get to Florence, Italy. Although it may seem stressful and unnerving, I can’t wait to see where I will be spending the next four months of my life!

Going to Penn State, I was always about three hours from home. It was a buffer for me. I knew that I had my space and could be independent, but was still able to jump on a bus if I needed/wanted to come home for the weekend. Now, it’s a little longer, and I have to cross an ocean to get home. Despite having friends at college, for now they are still home on break, and saying goodbye to them was difficult. Saying goodbye to my family, my support system was difficult. But I know that this temporary separation will be worth it. It’s going to be a semester of firsts. The first time I’m traveling alone, and living on another continent, amongst other things. It may be daunting, but as a generally optimistic person, I try to look on the bright side. Studying journalism, having the opportunity to be exposed to other cultures and meeting new people is something that I love!

I still can’t believe I was able to fit my entire life in a suitcase, a carryon bag and a backpack. As a notorious over-packer, this was a serious victory for me. I found that it’s not necessarily what you pack; it’s how you pack it. Don’t get me wrong, it’s important to be smart about what you bring. Most countries do have drug stores and some of the best shopping in the world, so you want to make sure and save room in your suitcase for your future shopping excursions. When finally placing everything in your suitcase, rolling your clothes, rather than folding them helps to create more space. However, I did find that basics (solid t-shirts, knit sweaters, black leggings, dark high waisted jeans, combat boots, etc.) are your best friend and they go with whatever you pack.

As a college student, it’s important to practice time management skills. With that said, being a college student, procrastination seems to be inevitable. I try to be as efficient as possible, and make lists. With so many cities to visit, it’s difficult to narrow it down. In Florence alone, there is so much to see and do: there’s the fantastic food, the beautiful architecture and the amazing shopping. I hope I get the chance to travel, cross things off my extremely long list and write about my experiences along the way!

Goodbye Pa., Ciao Firenze!

Location: 19422