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Published: June 24th 2008
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What has studying abroad done for me? Have I changed as a person? I have thought a lot about this since I have been back in America, and perhaps it's only appropriate that it has taken me until the end of June to write out my thoughts, for everyday I feel like I am still reflecting. With graduation under my belt, Grad School on the way, I have big big big changes heading in my direction and was very nervous about these changes. Studying abroad, I truly believe has helped me accept that with change, we can adapt, and when we adapt, we can learn to fully embrace the change for the better.
My last blog entry left off with me leaving Barcelona, and heading to Venice or Venezia as the Italians call it, to meet up with my parents. My parents-finally something close to home! The hugs of my parents couldn't have been more comforting after having been away from the US for more than three months at this point. We decided to venture to Venice together. Though this was my second time, with the excitement of Carnival last time I was there, I didn't get to truly explore
the city as much as I had liked. After setting off on a plane from Barcelona, I jetted to Roma, and then from Roma to Venice, and from the airport in Venice to a water taxi, and from a water taxi to San Marco Square, and from San Marco Sqaure to the hotel-ALONE! But whew-it worked out! I found my parents, and we had an amazing dinner on one of the hidden streets in Venice. We had quite the sarcastic waiter. An older man, probably in his 80s was our server and made the remark, "Should I come back tomorrow?" when we had taken quite awhile to place our order, and it's safe to say his moody, hilarious attitude gave the bistro a fun ambiance that we will never forget. I couldn't help but be stunned that after being here for three months with no family, that I was across the world drinking vino (wine) with my mom and dad! It seemed out of this world, and absolutely rediculous to me that I was even in reality! I was blessed to have such an experience.
The next day, after sleeping in--who knew--a real hotel--not a hostel!!!---I felt refreshed and
My first day in Roma.
It's hard to believe how far I've come--I've been in Roma for less than 24 hrs in this pic--you can see the nervousness! we explored the main cathedral, I fed the pigeons (yet again-what can I say-I'm a lover of ALL animals!!), and toured the palace. The palace was absolutely breathtaking! Doge's Palace, the main residence of the ducal, and building of the Republic of Venice, had many stories, and the most striking had to be the Senate Room--full of glitz and glamor, and not short of paintings by any means. It's hard to believe people lived in such luxury. While it suffered some fire damage, one would not know from the numerous repairs and maintenance. It tooks almost four hours, but was worth the the walk.
After exploring the church and touring the palace, and of course after a gelato and cappuccino break, it was time for dinner. We went into a darkly lit restaurant, chowed down on spaghetti and pizza and I was to tired, I barely remember my head even hitting the pillow! The next day was a five hour train ride back to Roma for my last day before the 10 hour plane ride home. My good friend Chrissy stayed with my parents and me (they were nice enough to give us our own room), and the following
day I toured the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and of course, Vatican City for my last views. It was very bittersweet. Part of me was so desiring to go home and be around the things that I am so familiar with, yet the other part of me wanted to never leave this unique, diverse, amazing experience. After looking at the things that were part of my life for three months, and toasting the vacation with my parents and Chrissy at a fun, local espresso bar with a far too outgoing waiter (He asked Chrissy for her number, in front of my dad!), and even having my parents attend a group dinner with some of the students (how fun!), the time had come for me to pack and make my way home.
The plane ride was weird-long, tiring, and very cramped. I felt sad and excited, nervous and antsy, and fully exhausted. Even walking in the Seattle airport, I felt weird. Almost like I didn't belong there, and was meant to be back in Italy. Then, I saw my boyfriend David holding a dozen pink roses for me, and I felt right at home again. :0) This was my territory!
The mountains, the trees, the surroundings, and of course, MY DOGS! After hearing about Rip's sickness, it was SO good to see him healthy, and picking up Grady from the "dog camp" he was at was joyous--my furry little brothers! my boyfriend! my bed! my friends! Home. And most of all, the memories I brought home with me and the skills I acquired in Europe--home. With me. To use to my advantage.
As I stated in my entry, I was in Roma for a two day period before embarking on my journey to Barcelona. During this two day journey, I deeply reflected as I have now. I went to some extra sites I had never seen (the public baths of Caracalla, a church with a painting from Michelangelo, the financial district), and even had my last spaghetti dinner by myself in the Campo Dei Fiorio (field of flowers) where my school was located, and where it glowed at night with the bars coming alive, and the tourists strolling past the fountain. During this dinner, and the explorations, I realized something: my have I grown. I was in a foreign country alone, managing to eat, shop and sight see without any help, with little to no English. Three months ago, I was worried I wasn't even going to be able to ask for a bottle of water, or learn how to say "thank you." I was worried I wouldn't last one day, even with my classmates. Now I was wandering the Roman streets with the sun shining, and eating a delicious dinner with the campo beaming with bar lights, and I was alone. These 1 1/2 to two days really summed up my whole trip. I was capable of trusting myself, and stepping outside of my comfort zone.
Now I am graduated from the University of Washington, and just returned from a trip to Puerto Vallarta. I truly stand by the idea that if I had not been to Europe, I would have been 100X as nervous traveling to another country. But I made it, and was not nervous (more so excited--and it was beautiful!). During my last quarter at the UW, all I could think about during my studies was "wow, I was lucky." Coming back to my apartment with five other roomies, just as I had left it was odd-it felt like Roma was all a dream. Well, it was a dream--for some reason, my dream came to life, and I couldn't be more thankful.
Perhaps the closing chapter to my journey came during my Department of Communication graduation. Seeing everyone from the program walking down the aisles and grabbing their diplomas was most definitely emotional. What was most emotional was when everyone found our professor at the end (he's in the middle of the photo with his wife), and we all came together. We took photos, caught up on life, and hugged for what seemed like forever. There was no "meet at the podium at 8"or any set time. We all had some kind of connection and made an effort to meet up at graduation to reunite. We were together again, at the end of our undergraduate careers. What better group to spend such a monumental moment with than the group that was there for you when you grew as a person, stepped out of your comfort zone, and took on the diverse aspects and challenges of life. It was "bene" to the extreme.
With the final chapter over, it is time to say none other than...
Ciao.
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