About a year and a half ago, in my freshman year of college, I told a couple of my friends that I was toying with the idea of studying abroad the next year. I was really into the idea, as my freshman year was not as expected and I was ready to do something to really challenge myself in a way. However, most of my spur-of-the-moment ideas usually end in the romanticized world that I have created in my mind and stay there. Now, a year and a half later, I write to you sitting in my apartment 50 feet away from the Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, Italy, where I have resided the past 4 months. About a week from now I will be on a plane back to Charlotte.
When I was little, I always thought I would study abroad in college; but never actually thought I would study abroad in college. (Does this make sense? No?) The world is so massive. And the idea of little me immersing myself into a different culture, place, region, time-zone on my own wasn't exactly something I thought a girl who cried when she spent the night a friends house 2 miles from her house would do. But I got older, and got a little more knowledgeable about the world around me (and a little less homesick). So I finally took that step out of my romanticized world and applied for the study abroad program in Florence, Italy and I am changed for the better because of that one leap.
Europe isn't exactly the most remote area in the world, or the biggest challenge to live in. It is a very wealthy continent (in respect to other parts of the world) and is technologically advanced. But it is a place or region that I have always wanted to experience. And Italy, for whatever reason (I think it was the food--- now it's so much more), was the dream country, the dream destination. And because of study abroad I not only finally got my chance to visit, but to LIVE there. And truly live. People express that going off to college immediately grants you the freedom of living on your own. Which, yes, in some cases it does. But in most cases, you are still in a dorm, on the campus of an institution abiding by its rules, eating in its cafeteria, etc. With study abroad, you are literally dropped into a culture that is completely foreign and forced to experience the world on your own and you are forced to learn HOW you personally live. You may not know the language spoken there, you may not know the traditions, the politics, the polite thing to do, the people... oh but you will.
Study abroad is an experience more than a classroom; its one where you learn about life as well-- which in my opinion, may be even more important. You learn how to travel, how to plan, how to organize, how to be PATIENT and ultimately what is best for you/what you want in life. It would be cliche to say, I studied abroad to see if I could "find myself" but in a way, I have and I have started to understand how I would like my life to be lived. (Really, I'm still clueless... but I've made baby steps towards the right direction...) Do I work well in a city, did I enjoy the countryside more? I really enjoyed meeting this person, and enjoyed learning about that person's lifestyle. I felt more alive when I was here, than when I was there. The lists, the questions, the critiques go on and on.
But really guys, why am I writing this? It's a reflection of sorts, but I also wanted to let the people who think they "are going to miss out on things" are really not. Because every place you visit and every decision you make while studying abroad is an experience so grand that it knocks out anything you are missing at home, (yes, even when the president, (two?) talk show hosts, and two bands all visiting your school in a matter of 24 hours). I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited to go back home and situate myself back into my life. But home will ALWAYS be there waiting for you. Choose a place you've always wanted to go, and go. And learn (maybe not solely in the classroom...) but in the streets, in the museums, the mountains, the parks, even the supermarkets... And live.
No comments:
Post a Comment