Ciao!

Welcome to my blog! After putting off starting a blog for the longest time, I decided that a semester abroad was a good enough reason to finally do this. My hope with this blog is to document my adventures abroad this semester and reflect about this exciting new experience. I hope to keep this blog up even after my return to UD to blog about various aspects of my life, but for now I'm anticipating most of the content for the next 4 months to be travel-related.

With just a few days left until my departure, the reality of it all is finally sinking in a bit. I eagerly packed up my suitcases earlier this week and now I am just taking care of last minute details and saying my goodbyes, all the while counting down as each passing day comes and goes. And still, regardless of how much advice I've received from friends who have studied abroad in the past or family who has traveled in Europe or even professors, I have come to realize I can't truly be prepared for a situation like this. Sure, I've made lists that have been double and triple-checked so that I don't forget a phone charger or socks or anything like that, and I've established my class schedule and my budget for the semester, but in terms of actually living my life in another country for 4 months, I'm just kind of throwing myself into it and taking things as they come. All I know is it will be different, and there will be so many things that are unexpected, and I'm okay with that. I cannot wait to see all that I learn about not only the culture and travel and people, but about myself.

I have lived in the same exact town in New York for all 20 years of my life, and the biggest change to that was when I came to the University of Delaware. Not that Delaware isn't exciting, but it's not a huge cultural shift from where I live in New York - except they have Wawa and tax-free shopping (both things I miss dearly). And whenever we have a break or I just want to see my dog, I can get in my car and drive the two hours on the New Jersey Turnpike to get home. So, I think it's safe to say this semester things will be different. But I am ready to embrace the differences and grow as a person - Wawa will still be there when I get back.

I am excited to be taking a course load much different than what I've usually taken in my semesters at UD. Although I love my major more than anything, it will be nice to have a break from my typical load of 3 to 4 Communications classes per semester and focus on my other interests - like art. I am taking an introductory Drawing course as well as a more advanced Travel Photography course, and in case you couldn't tell... I really enjoy photography, so I am extremely eager to be surrounded by a new environment to photograph and draw inspiration from. In addition to these art courses, which thankfully will complete my Art minor, I am taking beginner level Italian (because when in Rome, why not, right?), History of Rome and its Monuments, and an introductory Marketing course (the closest to my typical Communications courses I could get). This unique mix of classes will be very refreshing for me and I'm grateful for the opportunity to take them in such a beautiful city. And while it is study abroad, I am also looking forward to all of the travel and adventures during my free time. Aside from exploring all that Italy has to offer, I plan to take trips to other places such as Barcelona, Interlaken, London, Ireland, and more. Although I hope to return to Europe again someday after my abroad experience, I want to take advantage of living in Europe for 4 months and travel as much as I can (and of course, document it all along the way). If you have any suggestions - definitely send them my way!

So, welcome to my blog, I hope you will follow along with my adventures these next 4 months and I'm looking forward to all the unknown that I am about to discover!

#abroad #travel #firstpost #blog #rome #italy #europe