My experience abroad has been one helluva time.

It’s taught me to accept discomfort, because no one should get too accustomed to one type of lifestyle or way of living. The world is ever changing and we must move and adjust with it. Accept the good, the bad and the ugly even if things don’t go according to plan. I have completely established myself here in Milano and I made myself at home. Now that I am soon to return back to the states, I can’t say I am ready to leave just yet. Living in a city where talents can at times be unexposed due to lack of resources and support, I found my character to fit this city perfectly as a hand in a glove.

Attending NABA was one of the best decisions in my life and I couldn’t have chosen a better school for my education. But a lot of the most important information I consumed was from the streets and the people of Italy. The entire experience in itself was life changing and I will never be the same person I was before I arrived.

My future is very bright; I can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel. I feel a change coming soon, and it’s already impacted my future endeavors and plans within the next year.  I want to be able to bring Europe to Stephens College and show these girls that the real world is not taught in school. I want to spread my knowledge about the industry, survival, and life in a foreign country in addition to every other aspect in my life that experienced change. I want to be a vessel to those who want to experience study abroad and encourage them to go for it. It is worth all the time, money and effort in the world.

I believe I will adapt the culture of food when I arrive at home. I spent a lot of my time learning Italian dishes and cooking for my roommates that it has become a hobby that’d I would love to share with my family. I am not too sure about any other cultural changes, but we will just have to see how that goes once I’m actually home. I truly appreciate everyone’s support and encouragement through this process and experience that will never be forgotten. If I could relive these past four months again, I would be the first in line. By far, this has been the absolute best decision I have made in my life. Thank you.

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Bianca is a current student at Stephens College studying at Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti in Italy during the Spring 2014 term.