On January 25^th, tired and jet lagged I finally arrived in Italia. While flying over Italy, I caught my first glimpse of Tuscany. Looking outside of the plane window, my eyes landed upon the most breathtaking images. At first, all I could see were massive snow covered mountains. Then slowly the mountains turned into lakes. At last, I saw the image I had been waiting years to see, the picturesque rolling green hills of Tuscany. This view was everything I had ever imagined it to be and much more. At this point, I was in a state of bliss and excitement.  Throughout my whole college career, I had dreamed about this moment.

However, once I stepped off the plane and into Florence, the reality of my situation began to hit me. I realized I was in a foreign country with a different culture, language, and social norms. I was far away from everything I am comfortable with. I felt like a lost child. Everything that was so simple back home such as paying for food became a challenge. To add to my despair, I could not talk to my family or friends for the first couple of days because we did not have internet. Soon I realized I was going through culture shock. Those first couple of days were the hardest for me. I was in a constant state of fear, anxiety, and sadness. At any moment, I felt like I was going to start crying.

Fortunately, my emotions began to change the day my roommates and I went to the Mercato Centrale. This open-air fresh market reminded me of all the reasons I decided to study abroad in Italy. This place was bustling with people and excitement. It was here that I finally began to comfortably speak in Italian with the locals. This boost of confidence in my abilities began to make me feel better. After this moment, I was able to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  I realized this was going to be challenging but I should embrace these differences in order to get the best out of my study abroad experience.

Initially dealing with culture shock was overwhelming but this is the beauty of traveling to another country. I am being forced into another culture with different rules, norms, and customs. These differences challenge everything I have ever known about the way my world works. Now that I am finally settled into my Italian apartment, I am able to enjoy the beauty of Italy. Firenze is absolutely breathtaking. Everyday on my walk to class, I walk by the Duomo. This building is so massive and beautiful. Every time I see it I am in awe. It is crazy to think that this is my new life. It is this realization that keeps me moving on the difficult days when I am missing my family, friends, or American food.

Samantha – Northern Illinois University