Christmas season in Florence with my roommates
My roommates and I lighting sparkles on the ponte alla grazie on our last night
Studying abroad changed my life. I have never felt so free and unrestrained before. It helped me to see that I can do anything I want. I never thought that I would be studying abroad. I am not your average study abroad student. I didn’t come from money. This opportunity came about by impulse. When I signed up to study abroad I only had $100 in my bank account but I knew that this was what I was supposed to do so I stepped out on faith and continued to move and walk in faith all the way through my study abroad experience. I had only signed up in March and I had no idea that it would even be possible for me to study abroad the same fall without any money. I had to raise $3,000 in order to study abroad and I did it in 6 weeks with the help of the people around me. I was blessed in order to be able to study abroad.
Me on the ledge of the ponte alla grazie birdge in Florence
Studying abroad taught me some valuable lessons. It showed me that life is not all about struggle and it showed me that life can be wonderful. It helped me find myself even more so than I had already. It also opened up my mind and opened up my heart. There are so many other things and some many other goals that I want to reach because that goal of studying abroad became attainable. That’s something I never thought I would be able to do. Growing up I had seen a lot of violence and poverty around my neighborhood and people like me and people where I am from do not study abroad or get those opportunities and we are not expected to. I defied the odds. It is important for me to share my story because I want to show other kids that despite the way that they grow up they can still do great things in life. Growing up, many times I had to take on the role of an adult and studying abroad and getting away let me be 20 and allowed me to see life and to be able to explore life in the same way that my peers do. It gave me that freedom to be who I am and to let go for a little while. It gave me a chance to really enjoy life without much stress or worry and I am thankful for that. Since I have been back I have been happier, I have been smiling more and showing more love to others. I feel more at peace. It gave me my wings to fly.
My roommates and I wrote a note on a lantern and let it fly in the sky on our last night
From climbing the Eiffel tower to visiting the Colosseum in Rome, climbing the duomo in Florence, visiting the red light district in Amsterdam, looking out from the cliffs of Moher in Ireland, sailing off into the sunset in Venice, jumping off of a rock at Giglio Island into the ocean even though I couldn’t swim, secret bakeries, wine refill stations, 4 euro margarita nights, gusta pizza, shopping at Conad and visiting the markets, rocking out at bebop, meeting people at beer house club, free wine at Dante’s and being American at Red Garter, I had such a wonderful time and it all feels like a dream. Luckily it was all a reality and I was blessed to be able to have that experience.
My roommates and I at Conad grocery store
The wonderful people at SAI Florence made my stay even more great with all of their awesome excursions, help and support. I am finally in love with life and see that there is so much more to life! Life is not meant to be all a struggle and I am keeping in my remembrance, “Remember how happy you were in Italy, never forget that time and always try to be happy like that everyday, everywhere– If it’s not like this it’s time to change and maybe escape in a new city!”- Camilla Fabiani, SAI Florence. I am so thankful and beyond blessed. My cup runneth over…
Me after climbing the duomo
“I am a 10 thousand petal flower unfolding in this moment, I feel so vulnerable and so empowered, It’s everything, it’s nothing, it’s perfect”. – India Arie
