My first goal is related to personal growth and adaptation. Studying abroad is about as intense as it gets in terms of veering outside your comfort zone. You are essentially thrust into a foreign country without knowing the language, culture, or any other people – a daunting task to say the least. Either you can give in to the cultural shock that you are sure to experience or you can adapt. I plan on choosing the latter. I want to grow and become a person who thrives in uncomfortable situations. I want to be skilled at making an unfamiliar place feel familiar. Ways of accomplishing these goals is by embracing the culture that I am being thrust into by adapting their ways of living. Most importantly, I plan to explore the city and the country with every opportunity I get. Whether its taking a walk to the Spanish Steps, jogging by the Vatican, or relaxing in the numerous piazzas, I plan to fully integrate myself into the Roman way of life.
My second goal is primarily regarding social situations and relationships. I believe the hardest change that I will be facing is not knowing anyone else in this program. It is with that in mind that will ultimately compel me to be engaging and outgoing with other individuals; to be friendly and kind. I know that, even as a senior, I am going to have to embrace my freshman year tactics of getting to know my peers. It starts with my four roommates whom I am very curious to meet. After that, there are over 100 students in Rome with me this semester that I have to chance to form a relationship. Not to mention the millions of people in Rome. If I am able to say I have managed to make at least one friend as a result of studying abroad, I will have done my job.
My last goal is all about embracing the Italian culture that I will be joining. After taking an Italian class informing me about all the differences between American and Italian culture, I believe that I am ready to experience it. Notable differences include dressing nicely more frequently, later meal times, and different diets. Most importantly, life moves slower in Italy. I believe that these cultural aspects with ultimately have a positive impact on my life moving forward. From allowing me to slow down in regards to the American lifestyle as well as embracing fresher, healthier foods, I am excited to see the type of person I become after spending four months exposed to Italian culture.
I am now an hour within departing for Europe. It is on this note that I conclude my first entry. After this, there is no going back. When I am back in America in April, I do not know what I will be like. But I know for a fact that I cannot wait to find out. Until next week, ciao!
Location: John F. Kennedy International Airport
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Michael, I have been in Perugia Italy for a little over a week now with my study abroad program. I also did not know anyone else in my program and had to completely adapt to a continent I had never been to before. I hope you are able to see as many beautiful views and possible and eat more pasta and pizza than you could have ever imagined – this is exactly what my week had consisted of so far. I am interested to see how easy it is to use English while in Rome. Here in Perugia it is a smaller town and most locals do not speak English therefore communication is quite difficult. I hope you are much better at Italian than I am, or more people in Rome are fluent in English. Either way I know you will have an amazing time, and most importantly be open to the new and slower way of life Italy has to offer. Ciao!