I really cannot believe that it is almost time for me to leave Italy. The experience has been truly life changing, and I don’t think I can adequately describe it in a few words. I have spent the last month traveling quite a bit, but mostly within Italy. I visited Milan, Venice, Siena, Lucca, Assisi, and Arezzo. Each city is beautiful and unique in its own way. I especially enjoyed my trip to Arezzo. It is not one of the most popular tourist cities in Italy, but it is well known for its antique market, which takes place the first weekend of each month. I spent hours wandering through the endless stalls of old things. There were so many cool things I wanted to buy. It took a lot of self-control not to buy everything I wanted!

This last week will probably be pretty crazy. Once I finish with exams I have to pack and say goodbye to my friends. I think returning to the US will be difficult for me. I have started preparing myself for “reverse culture shock” that many warn of. There are certainly things I miss about the US (my dog and a dryer topping the list), but there are so many things about Italy I will miss. It has been a bit of struggle for me to come to terms with leaving Italy. I have promised myself that I will be back soon. And it is something that I truly believe. In so many ways, Florence has come to feel like home.

– Patrick, College of William and Mary