All good things must come to an end. Or do they? With only a few weeks left in my study abroad experience, it’s hard to believe that it is almost time to head back home. While we will no longer be in Rome, I know that the end of this journey is the beginning of many more adventures to come.
This past month has consisted of a lot of traveling and exploring. During the long weekend in the beginning of the month, we went to Corfu, Greece. I can honestly say this was one of the best experiences I have had here. Our weekend consisted of relaxing at the beach, attending toga parties, plate smashing, enjoying delicious Greek food and riding on ATV’s. I would recommend anyone who studies abroad to take a trip to Corfu, Greece.
It was an incredible experience. The weekend after, I traveled to Prague. I had booked this trip before coming to Italy because it was the one place I really wanted to visit while in Europe. I absolutely loved Prague. It was so beautiful. It was like stepping into a fairy tale book.
Up next was Paris. Despite its cold weather it was so beautiful! Thanksgiving was the weekend after Paris and for the first time ever I was not home to celebrate this Holiday with my family. A few of the girls and I headed to Florence. Although our Thanksgiving Day was not traditional, I was so thankful to spend it with great friends.
It is so difficult to put my study abroad experience into words. The decision to study abroad was a difficult one for me and I can honestly say it was the best decision I made for myself. Although everyday was not “the time of my life”, I have learned so much about myself throughout this journey. I remember my first day here. I was upset over my lost luggage and did not know anyone here. I did not know what to expect. I was fortunate enough to be with a program such as SAI to assist me with every step of the way. From the first day when I lost my luggage, SAI was right there to calm my nerves and assure me that I would find my luggage. They have helped with making doctor’s appointments, informing us about local events, and many more. About a month ago my roommate and I had missed our train to the Perugia chocolate festival. I remember briefly mentioning this when I was in the office that day. The next time I came in, I found out that Amy, one of our coordinators, had emailed the coordinator of the Perugia event to see if we would be able to get a refund since we missed the festival. SAI always goes above and beyond and it is blatantly obvious that these ladies genuinely enjoy helping every student in the program. They have not only been helpful throughout this entire process but they have organized some wonderful events. From our first trip to Umbria, to the cooking classes, they have made this experience that much better. I would not have been able to have the experiences I had, if it were not for the three wonderful ladies in SAI.
