Peace and Travel

Almost everyone who travels experiences the fear of one thing or another: flying, losing luggage, getting lost, going alone, running out of money, being mugged, etc. I've experienced several of these myself. But one extreme fear that has been on every travelers' mind recently is terrorism. With recent events around the world, it seems that simply studying abroad has become a much more dangerous activity.

But is it?

I won't lie and say that I'm not worried or afraid about living in Europe during the current threats and attacks, and I certainly won't tell others to take a chill pill and carry on like nothing has happened. That would be stupid. Of course my sense of paranoia is slightly heightened and I'm a little more worried about traveling and exploring Italy. After the attacks in Paris last weekend, there was an outpouring of love and concern sent my way from family, friends, and loved ones. I cannot tell you how much I appreciated people checking in and showing their concern for my safety. I quickly reassured each person who messaged me, telling them "Don't worry! I'm completely safe here in Italy. I'm no where near Paris, and don't plan on leaving this country for the remainder of my semester abroad."

My message may have been a little premature as I received the following email this morning from the Italian government.

Not really what I wanted to wake up to this morning, but important nonetheless. While I have already made my trip to Rome a few weeks ago and had no plans to return this month, the fear and paranoia I had been experiencing for the past week since Paris became just a little more real. I'll admit that at first I was really freaked out. After all, I had just told my loved ones that I was "completely safe" in Italy. Obviously, no one can really be completely safe anywhere in the world. There's always the threat of danger, even in your own home. But in regards to terrorism I was naive to believe that I could go my final month abroad without being any more concerned with it than I had been previously. However, I refuse to let my fear of what may or may not happen a few hundred miles away to keep me locked in my apartment and constantly looking over my shoulder. That is no way to study abroad, or to live life in general.

I have not made any Facebook posts about the recent events in Paris over the last week for several reasons. However, there are a few things that I need to voice opinion on in response to what I've seen and heard, and now seems like an appropriate time.

1. I've seen a many articles and videos blaming Muslims for these attacks. It needs to be made very clear that Muslims are NOT behind these acts of terror -- terrorists are. Extremists who believe fear is the way to win. If you're someone who has shared one of these articles in support of closing mosques in the US, or giving priority to Christian refugees seeking asylum in America**, then I strongly suggest you dig a little deeper and open your mind. Instead of sharing articles supporting hatred, watch one of the dozens of videos of Muslims standing in the middle of a city, blindfolded, showing their trust of other citizens and asking for a hug. A. HUG. These people are seeking love and acceptance. They're asking for forgiveness for something they haven't even done, and because of bigots and prejudiced people they have been marked as a terrorist. I don't know about you, but I don't want to live in a world where people are judged based on who they are. Oh wait, we already do. It's time for a change.

**side rant** Many people are also sharing images and posts in frustration that the U.S. is accepting refugees while there are still so many American veterans left homeless on the street. While the high amount of homeless vets is concerning and problematic, this has been an ongoing problem that many organizations have worked on addressing. Yes, there are still too many people that are homeless in our country. However, this is no reason to reject others who also need our help. Refugees seeking asylum had no other choice to but leave their homes, their families, their belongings behind thousand upon thousands of miles away. Their very lives depended on running. Who are we to turn away men, women, and children who wish they could go home but can't? Is it disheartening that we can't even help everyone in our own country? Of course. Should we still work on finding homes for those who fought for our country? Absolutely. But we also have the responsibility as human beings to be compassionate towards others who seek shelter and safety within our country. They have done nothing wrong and they certainly don't deserve to be treated with discrimination and hatred.

I encourage all of you to take 10 minutes out of your day to see just how dangerous and difficult it is for a refugee to find asylum with this interactive website. Remember those books where you chose your own destiny? It's like that, but so much more serious and informational because it takes you through real life choices and their potential consequences that refugees have had to make. Thank you Alex for sharing this website with me! http://twobillionmiles.com

2. Unfortunately, ISIS attacks are nothing new. Thousands upon thousands of people have become victim to their violence in countries all over the Middle East. Last week's attack on Paris had a death toll of less than 130. This is one of the smallest numbers of any attack ISIS has carried out, yet it has received the most amount of media coverage. Please do not believe that I am not wholeheartedly upset and in shock about those whose lives where destroyed in Paris. My deepest respect and condolences go out to everyone affected last weekend. However, I am also deeply bothered by and concerned with the media coverage of the attacks and the resulting response by Western countries. Do we have a reason to increase caution and be hyperaware of what's going on around us? Yes. But terrorism hasn't become any more real or any more of a threat than it has been to people around the world. It shouldn't have taken the attack on Paris for the media to cover how serious this threat is. 

At the same time, the media coverage is playing right into the hands of ISIS. While it is incredibly important for people to be informed about current events, being constantly bombarded with images, videos, stories, and threats is only causing the level of fear to rise. Again, I'm not saying people shouldn't be afraid. I'm saying that there is a line between fear and terror. Being afraid can help with survival, increasing vigilance and a better response reflex. Spreading terror is what's deadly. The excessive media coverage is causing terror, which is exactly what helps give power to those we are trying to protect ourselves against. Terror causes people with very little experience or education about the topic to make rash decisions and provoke even more violence. Terror causes mass groups of people to act without logic and cause a lot of damage. The excessive coverage of a group of horrible human beings only spreads terror, which the goal of ISIS to begin with.

3. I have overheard a few people on different occasions say they are afraid to walk around now because they don't know who might be trying to kill them. I could be snarky here and say "Ladies, haven't we always been told we should be fearful of people *cough* men *cough* that are looking to hurt us? That we should never walk alone at night? To watch our drink, dress appropriately, and take a self defense class? We've been trained for something like this, for survival, since we were taught that we had lady parts. You got this." Obviously, my feminist sarcasm doesn't totally cover the topic at hand. However, I will say that this newly developed paranoia of everyone is extreme. There will always be dangerous people looking to hurt others. Like I said earlier, we can never be "completely safe." But this does not mean that, due to recent events, you should lose trust in everyone around you. Don't live in a constant state of fear. Again, just be vigilant. 99% of the people in this world mean you no harm. Don't seek the worst in people, or assume that someone intends to harm you based on some aspect of their social identity. 

Part of me wants to apologize if this blog post came of as being a rant, but a bigger part of me says not to. While this may not have been in the same entertaining style as my previous posts, it's just as important, if not even more so. Hey, it's my blog. I can do what I want. 

This post covers a very serious and relevant topic in the world today. I do not claim to be an expert on any of these current events, but it does not make any of my arugments less valid. I'm a 21 year old woman studying abroad, living in Europe while countries not too far away from me have been attacked and Italy has been threatened. My opinion counts. It is incredibly important to me that you, readers of my blog post, take the following points away from this post: 

1. Muslims are not terrorists -- Islam extremists are. 

2. While what happened in Paris is tragic, we also need to recognize the other horrible acts and acknowledge the thousands of other victims world wide. 

3. Pay attention to the news, but to not drown in it. Learn enough to be afraid, but not to be terrified. 4. Do not let your fear of what may happen control how you live your life. Be aware and be concerned, but do not live in fear or they win. 

5. Keep your faith in humanity. As hard as that may be sometimes, it's what's going to help get this world back on track. 

6. Help those in need. 

7. Live your life to the fullest. Hug your loved ones. Be safe.

Until next time <3

21 Things I've Learned in Italy Before Turning 21

Buona sera!

I've officially been in Italy for almost two months now. I know I haven't written since after my first week, and for that I do apologize. I must admit that I have been working on this post for over 20 days and I decided I've procrastinated long enough. At first, I couldn't figure out how to pick just one topic to write about. Then it dawned on me: I could discuss 21 things!! Since I celebrated my 21st birthday at the beginning of this month, I thought it might be fitting. However, I underestimated how long it would take me to want to actually write about so many topics -- hence the procrastination. But I figured you've all waited long enough, so without further adieu, here are 21 things that I've learned in Italy before I turned 21.

1. Tourists Suck

This point hasn't really changed since my last post. They're still everywhere, clogging up the streets and roads and causing extreme frustration for those of us just trying to get to class or the supermarket.  I have noticed that they are worse in Florence than in other places I have visited around Italy.  Stop your abrupt halts in the middle of the sidewalk to take a selfie, people. They're called sidewalks for a reason. Tourists also make item number 2 difficult to do.

2. Always Look Up

There is so much history and culture in all of Italy that you could walk by it and not even notice. During my first week of classes I had several of my professors advise me to always look up while walking around Florence. You can find the history and culture in the architecture, art, and decoration of the buildings, but you have to be aware of them. While trying to avoid running into tourists does contribute to making this task a challenge, it takes most people all of their concentration not to trip on the uneven cobblestones as you walk throughout the city. Some stones stick out, other's are missing, and there are even some that tilt as you walk. I honestly have no idea how people walk in heels here. I can't even do it on smooth pavement or a hardwood floor, so forget rocky terrain. That's just asking for a broken ankle. The longer I'm here though, the more surefooted I walk (and the better my butt looks) so I remind myself to look up as long as there's no one directly in front of me. Sometimes a leisurely stroll back from class is the best time to do that.

3. Ice Cream Is A Fraud & No One Should Eat It

One word, my friends -- gelato. It's incredibly difficult to limit myself to only eating it about twice a week. Each new flavor I try gets better than the last. Fragola (strawberry) tastes like I'm eating a thick strawberry smoothie; stracciatella (vanilla with chocolate chips) is heaven in a cup/cone; caffe (coffee) is practically orgasmic. One day, while savoring a cup as I sat in front of the Pitti Palace, I came to the horrifying realization that, just a few months ago, I ate ice cream out of a carton. A CARTON. Ice cream that is so frozen the spoon bends when I try to scoop it into a bowl. In Italy, the smooth and creamy delicacy that is the very definition of lovely (which you can find here) is found fresh on every street corner. I pass at least 20 gelaterias on my way to class daily. When I return to the states, you will never find me with a carton of ice cream again. Instead, I'll be rocking back and forth in the corner, crying and mumbling as I go through gelato withdrawal. If you ever spend a significant amount of time in Italy, I challenge you to only allow yourself to get it twice a week. Good luck with that.

4. It's Probably Impossible For Italians To Be Obese.

In my entire month I've been abroad, I have yet to see an incredibly overweight Italian. Sure, there are some with a few extra pounds, but they are all of a healthy size. Back home, it's hard to go a single day without seeing proof of how unhealthy America is. At first, I was baffled. Italians eat SO MANY CARBS: pizza, pasta, croissants, pastries, cannoli, cheese, focaccia, the list goes on. But slowly I began to realize how different their eating and exercise habits are. Breakfast is small, just a coffee (which is NOT coffee but actually a shot of espresso) and sometimes a croissant. Lunch is often the heaviest meal and isn't eaten until around 1:30, 2pm. Dinner portions are much smaller and it is served much later than we're used to. It's actually unusual to find a restaurant that will serve dinner before 8pm. In addition to the eating habits, Italians also walk everywhere. I mentioned this in my last post, but I can't stress it enough. On average I walk about 12,000 steps a day. During the weekend and on trips, that average becomes 20,000. The goal for a healthy lifestyle is to walk 10,000. I, and other people here in Florence, exceed that goal with ease simply because there is no other choice. This keeps people active and helps burns off all the carbs, which is something I remind myself every day after I scold myself for eating too many of them. Just walk it off.

5. Art Can Be Humorous

I have visited several museums while here in Florence, which houses some of the world's biggest and best collections of art. I've seen more masterpieces than I could have ever dreamed, my favorite being Botticelli's Birth of Venus. I should have done my research before visiting the Uffizi museum, as I would have known beforehand that I would come across that piece on my tour. But I was pleasantly surprised to stumble upon it as it's been on my bucket list for a while now. As an artist, I have just been astounded by what I've seen here. Astounded and inspired and at a complete loss for words sometimes. Amidst my deep respect for the paintings, sculptures, and statues, I also discover humor. Maybe it's because I'm on Tumblr too much, or maybe I'm just a snarky person who can also be immature at times, but I find great joy in interpreting facial expressions of classic and timeless art. Of course, that's what snapchat is for. Below is some of the humor I discovered while exploring art in Florence. *Disclaimer: This blogger has no intent of disrespecting the art or the artist, and all jokes are made in good fun. The blogger admires the incredible talent required to produce these beautiful masterpieces and has a deep respect for all art.*

6. Free Water Isn't a Thing

When I go out to eat with my family or friends back at home, you can always bet that I'll order a water with my meal. It's cold, it's refreshing, and most importantly it costs nothing. I could save that money I would have spent on a soft drink and put it in my Starbucks fund. Why not get a water? Here, however, I'd have to pay 3-4 euros for a glass bottle of water. They don't give out tap water, and they certainly don't have ice in it. It's cheaper to get a glass of wine! I told you there was a reason I titled my blog the way I did.

7. Internet Connection Sucks

There is literally nothing more frustrating than when you're trying to make a call home and can't have an actual conversation because your connection just leaves everyone going "I can't hear you!" "Can you hear me now? Wait, what about now?" "Hello? Hello??? Hellloooooo?!?!?!" "Okay cool now I can hear you but your face is frozen on the screen." There have been nights when I've been forced to hang up only seconds into the call out of frustration. Other nights I'll get so angry I'll actually cry for a bit because I've had a stressful day and I juST WANT TO TALK TO MY BEST FRIEND, OKAY? Any other use of the internet works perfectly. I can go online, do my homework, listen to music, even stream a tv show sometimes. Yet when I just want to see a familiar face or hear a comforting voice after a long day, it's not possible. So yeah, the connection sucks.

8. Homesickness Also Sucks

When I went to college as a Freshman I never experienced being homesick, not really. There were some days where I'd want to go home because I knew there was a family party and I felt like I was missing out. Back then, I thought that was homesickness. Turns out I was quite mistaken. Homesickness is more than just a few hours of feeling left out or forgotten. It's missing familiarity and having a comfort zone. It's desperately wanting to see the people you love even if you don't want to talk to them, just sit next to them silently enjoy each other's company while staring into space. It's craving ice water and missing driving in traffic and wanting to listen to a radio with the same crappy 5 songs playing over and over again. All those little things you never think you'd miss, you do. I'd never thought I'd be the kind of person to get homesick, but I'll admit it now. I miss home, I miss my family and friends, and I miss my school. Especially on my 21st birthday, it can be a little bittersweet being in another country, but I know I will always remember today. Don't get me wrong, I love being here in Italy, but it is possible to both love where you are and miss where you've been.

9. Pizza is ALWAYS Better in Italy

I literally have nothing else to write here.

10. Unattractive Italians are a Myth

In the month that I've been here, I have yet to see any native Italian that someone might consider to be unattractive. Not one. Men and women alike seem to just have be blessed with this natural gorgeous beauty. I can't explain it, nor do I have any interest in figuring it out. Instead I'll just enjoy the views (of architecture and people) each day as I walk through the city. I have no complaints.

11. American Food is a Lie

There are restaurants all around Florence that advertise having American food, especially an American breakfast. Don't listen to them. If they advertise a breakfast, it's usually one menu item that doesn't even taste like it should. Lunch and dinner items are pretty close, but there is still a difference. I have only found one place where I really enjoy the American food, The Diner. Actually, that's where I had my birthday dinner tonight. I fully realize that since I'm in Italy, I should be fully embracing and devouring Italian food. However, there comes a time when you have to say "Okay, I've had enough pizza for the week." Shocking, I know. Sometimes a little taste of home is the perfect comfort food and keeps you going. Most restaurants will end up disappointing you, but when you do find one that actually tastes authentic, mark it down. Get a loyalty card (like I did). After ten purchases I get a free meal. Guess who's half way done?? Before you judge me, just a cup of coffee counts as a purchase, so calm your shorts. The Diner is a great study spot.

12. I STILL Don't Want a Selfie Stick

Please refer to my previous blog post and watch the video about selfie sticks. I've lost count of how many times I've been approached and asked if I want to purchase one. The answer is still no. The answer will always be no. Thanks, no thanks.

13. Everything is Expensive

If there's one thing that I've learned while being here, it's that studying abroad is expensive. Obviously I knew this coming into this experience, but I didn't realize just how much money I would be spending. I've been keeping a spreadsheet so that I make sure I stick to a budget, but I'm shocked at how fast that money gets spent. The craziest thing I've come to realize is that most of my money isn't being spent on trips or gifts or souvenirs. No, the majority of my money is going to purchase food. I still stay under budget, but money is the biggest stress that I have on a daily basis. However, I have been reminded by several people that if there was any time to spend my money, it's while I'm here. This is my time to treat myself and explore and go on adventures. I may not have an experience like this again, and I am going to make the most of it while being smart about my spending.

14. Donald Trump Hasn't Tainted This Part of the World Yet

It's true. My incredible roommate Justine wrote a beautiful paper that contained a strong reference to Trump. By strong reference, I mean it was practically the backbone to her thesis and comparison of repeating past human mistakes with poor leaders, like Hitler. Obviously, this summary does not do the paper justice in the slightest, but you get the idea. However, all references were lost on her professor, who had no idea who Trump was. Oh, what I wouldn't give to be in her position. Hopefully, the rest of the world will remain ignorant to his racist/sexist/arrogant ways in the near future when he is removed from election ballots and real candidates remain. The world can still have hope.

15. Embrace the Nudity

All art in Florence is celebrated everywhere you look. Replicas of statues, paintings, and sculptures are found on every street. Souvenir shops are filled to the brim with t-shirts and aprons, paper weights and postcards, all with images of famous masterpieces found in Florence. As you may know, most classical art portrays a nude figure. Human anatomy is just anatomy, we're all made up of the same pieces, more or less. In Europe, the naked body is celebrated and adored for being as incredibly and enchanting as it is, while in America it's shamed because nudity is automatically associated with sex (which shouldn't be shameful but I'll spare you my feminist rant for now.) So while in Europe, especially Italy, embrace the nude figures for what they are: a celebration of human beauty in all shapes and sizes.

16. I Need a Music Reporter

Since I have no radio to listen to, I have no way of knowing what the latest jams are. I don't get to hear the same 5 songs in the car, or stumble upon a new hit while listening to Pandora. When I get home, I'll be completely in the dark about which songs are popular and which are not. While all my friends are jamming out, singing all the lyrics to the newest pop hit, I'll awkwardly sit there and bob my head up and down to the beat. Wait, I guess that's not all that different from what I do now.... But lucky for me, I have this little gadget called "a friend." You see, when I realized that I was totally unaware of what all the cool kids were listening to at home, I immediately picked up my phone and texted my best friend. She's agreed to help a buddy out and send me the title and artist of any sick beat she hears on the radio so I can look it up on YouTube and stay in the know. Anna, thank you for being my music reporter and keeping me put to date. Now I'll be able to bob my head and mumble a few lyrics!

17. Each Part of Italy is More Beautiful Than the Last

I've been in Italy for almost two months now, and have obviously done some traveling. To date, I've been in Florence, Vinci, Assisi, Siena, San Gimignano, Cinque Terre, Sorrento, Naples, and Capri. I still plan on seeing Venice, Rome, Bari, Lucca, Pisa, and Verona (at the very least) before I go back to the states. I've seen the countryside, the hill towns, and the coast. Each place I go to makes me stare in awe just a little longer than the last place did. I can't really say that I have a favorite because they're all so different. Here are some of my favorite pictures that almost capture just how beautiful each place really is.

18. If You Look Italian, It's Assumed You're Fluent in Italiano

At least once a week, I have a cute little Italian person come up to me and ask me a really detailed and animated question. This doesn't happen to many of my friends here, so I assume it's because of my Italian features. Sadly, I'm not very fluent yet, so I have to awkwardly smile and shake my head and tell them I don't understand. Mi dispace, friend.

19. Alfredo Sauce Isn't a Thing in Tuscany

I was very excited to come to Italy and eat chicken alfredo until my heart and stomach were content. Unfortunately, I was unaware that cream sauce is not found everywhere in Italy. I quickly discovered that the region of Tuscany is known for their tomato sauce, so good luck finding the creamy delicious cheese sauce on a menu. I'll just have to wait until I visit the northern regions before I get to feed my cravings. For now, I'll just have to stick with pizza and tomato sauce.

20. It's Cold

When I was preparing to pack for my trip to Italy, I was told that the weather here would be fairly warm. The coldest, the travel guides said, would be in the lower 50's in December right before I left. I was more than okay with this news. I live in Wisconsin and Chicago where the weather has gotten to -60 two years in a row. I can deal with 50 degrees, no problem. I packed mostly shorts and t-shirts. Only a few long sleeved shirts, one sweatshirt, and one jacket. Well, I am here to tell you that THEY WERE WRONG. It's been in the 50's for two weeks now, and it's only getting colder. I was extremely unprepared for this weather, and actually had to go shopping this past week to buy a few more sweaters so that I wasn't wearing the same clothes several times a week. Let this be a lesson to you, my friends. Don't always trust travel guides. Sometimes, they're wrong. Their job is to help you prepare for traveling the best they can, and they can't predict the weather.

21. I Can Survive Without Coffee

Yes, the final thing I learned before turning 21 was that I could survive without coffee. I used to hate the taste of coffee, and it wasn't until my sophomore year of college that I learned the error of my ways. After being able to have the nectar of the gods every day for a few years, I never thought I'd be able to go without it in the morning. For me, coffee isn't just about the caffeine. It's also about the comfort of having something to warm your hands and sip on in the mornings where you just don't want to be awake yet. It's a way to take a break and relax with a friend during the middle of the day. It's a sweet pick-me-up after a hard day. It's an easy and cheap first (or hundredth) date idea. Coffee is comfort, simple as that. When I told people I would be studying abroad in Italy, everyone told me that I was going to just LOVE Italian coffee and not want to go back to American coffee. Well, let me tell you all a little something. Italian coffee is not coffee -- it is just straight espresso. I love caffeine as much as the next person, but there is such a thing as it being too strong. Plus, I like to have a nice big mug to sip on for a while, but espresso comes in the world's smallest cup and after two sips it's gone. I am not about that life. So, I learned to live without coffee. It was a rough few weeks of transition, and to this day I still have moments of extreme cravings. The American diner here does serve American coffee, but it's really crappy. In moments of weakness I'll go and sit there to study while getting bottomless refills. They have only milk, no cream. But hey, it's still something so I won't complain too much.

Two months here and I'm still adjusting, but I'm so happy and honored and lucky to be studying abroad in such a beautiful country. I do have days where I would give anything to be home and be with my friends and family, who doesn't? That day will come soon enough. Right now, I'm grabbing life by the tail and going for this wild ride. Adventures and challenges await me for the next two months and I couldn't be more excited to continue this experience. Once again, a huge shout out to everyone who has helped get me here, and an even bigger thank you to those who have continuously supported me during my tough days. Yeah, I'm talking to YOU Mom, Anna, Lindsey, Heidi, Justine, Emily, Kay, and Allyssa.

I promise I'll be better about blogging! My next adventure begins tomorrow as I travel to London and Dublin for Fall break! Stay tuned!

Re-becoming a Freshman

Ciao from Firenze! (That's Italian for Florence, so before you wonder whether I actually made it to school, don't worry about it. I did.)

(See??)

Well, I've successfully been abroad for an entire week. Technically tomorrow marks the one week date for being in Florence, but I began my travels on a Tuesday so let me have it. If I went into detail about everything I've done/felt/worried about/experienced over the last seven days it would likely take you another seven to read through this. This will already be a pretty long post since the first week has been incredibly overwhelming and a lot has happened. I'm still processing this whole week, so this post will likely be one of the longest throughout my entire stay. I'll just lay out the highlights for you while being as detailed as possible so you, my friends and family back home, can start to understand just how challenging it has been for me to adjust.

Yes, I said challenging. I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I was woefully underprepared (mentally and emotionally) for coming abroad. Packing-wise, I did great -- a real traveling pro. I mentioned in my last blog post that I was the most worried about the whole traveling aspect and actually arriving in Florence. At the time I believed that would be the most stressful part for me, and my arrival would immediately alleviate 90% of my anxiety. To a point, I was right. I mentioned being nervous about customs because I have never gone through it before, but I actually NEVER HAD TO GO THROUGH IT WHEN I ARRIVED. I grabbed my baggage once I landed in Florence and just walked right to the exit of the airport. I was shocked, and before you think I somehow managed to just evade customs and sneak out, all the other students I met at the exit were also astounded. I'm no smuggler. Now, I know that's not going to be the case on my return trip, but I feel much more comfortable going through customs on my home territory. But my traveling for now is done, and upon my arrival a whole new type of stress hit almost immediately: culture shock.

They tell us in all of our orientations that we are going to experience culture shock, and I was expecting to at some point. However, most of those orientations claimed it hits after the first "honeymoon" phase which is filled with excitement and endorphins and happy feelings. Somehow I skipped that phase, and went right into shock. Looking back, I don't think the cultural habits of people and their behavior was so much a shock as learning how I was supposed to act and navigating my way around. The transition to living and studying abroad was about 58320528 times more challenging than my transition from high school to college 3 years ago, which is the reason for the title of this post. I may even go so far as to say that it was more difficult than going from middle school into high school, and everyone knows that one's a rough one. As a senior in college, I felt lower than a Freshman.

When I made my choice to attend Marian University back in 2012, one of the biggest factors that lead to my decision was the size of the campus. When I took a tour of the university, I immediately knew that I would never get lost on Marian's campus. I mean, I don't even have to cross a street to access any of the main buildings/offices/classrooms. Now, the entire city of Florence is my campus. There is no designated area for the University buildings; depending on what class you're enrolled in, you could be in any of the 7 building locations all over the city. On Wednesdays, I have 30 minutes to make it from one class to the next, but my walking commute between buildings is 26 minutes. 26! I could walk through every floor of every class building at Marian, and still have time to stop at Common Grounds for a coffee. Now I have to hope I don't get stuck behind a tourist group on my way to class.

Besides the size of the campus, or lack of one, there's a lot of other new experiences that make me feel like a total noob. I'll list below the major categories of them to give you a rough idea of just how much of a Freshman I've become during my Senior year of college.

People

For one, I knew absolutely no one going on this abroad experience with me when I got here. I did talk to my housemates briefly through Facebook so that I at least could figure out who my direct roommate would be. Other than that, I had not met or talked with anyone else going on this trip. I wasn't bothered by this though because I'm good with people and can typically make friends fairly easily. The only time I had actually wished I was going with someone I knew was during the whole traveling extravaganza. It just would have been nice to do that with a buddy so I could have been a little calmer. I have made some friends here already! I've got a pretty great roommate, and I get along with the rest of my housemates. I haven't had a change in roommates for three years. Freshman year, Anna and I were randomly selected to be together and it was the best thing that happened to us. We've been living together for 3 years now, and I can't even begin to tell you how amazing it is to be able to live with your best friend. It's comfortable and familiar; you know each other's schedules and behavior patterns, likes and dislikes. Living together is easy. Obviously, it wasn't as easy during our first semester together because we were still learning about one another. After three years, however, it's SO MUCH harder to just leave and live with a complete stranger, half way around the world. I'd like to give a shout out now to my new roommate, Emily, who has been fantastic. Getting along with your roommate can either make or break your experience at any university, no matter where you're studying or what country you're living in, so I'm glad we have a great personality match.

(Hey, Em!)

Getting used to other people in Florence is also a challenge. For one, whenever you're walking around the city you always have to be on high alert. I can't even tell you how many times I've been warned about pickpockets from people back home, but also from those here in the city. It's still tourist season here so there are constantly people everywhere, huge crowds of tourists blocking the roads and taking up all the room on the sidewalks. I know I'm also new to the area, but I'm already annoyed by tourists. Like I said, I typically have a long commute from one place to the next and a limited time to do it. I don't have time to be blocked by a group of people trying to figure out their new selfie stick. By the way, I have never seen so many selfie sticks in my entire life. They are sold (illegally, I might add) by street vendors, and you can't go more than 50 feet in any direction without being approached by one of them as they shove the selfie stick in your face asking you to buy it. Instead of a selfie stick, I fully endorse this product:

TIP: For those of you who are interested in ever traveling abroad, don't buy anything from a vendor that has their product spread out and displayed on the floor. Even if it's a really good deal, don't buy it. Those are illegal vendors, selling fake/counterfeit product. No real vendor is actually going to lay out Gucci and Prada merchandise on the floor of a plaza. If the police see you buying these products, you can get a very large fine. Just your friendly traveler tip. You're welcome.

Language

Obviously, I knew I was coming to a country where I did not know the native tongue. I'm surprised at how well some people speak English here, but that does depend on the area you're at. If you stay in central Florence, most Italians are used to the extreme amount of tourism that comes through so they speak a fair amount of English. Definitely enough to communicate your needs and ask basic questions. If you wander into the more local areas, however, then it becomes much more challenging. I went to a very popular market today, and by popular I mean among the local Italians. It was a 45 minute walk, so you know that most tourists aren't going to know about a weekly market. This also meant that almost no one spoke any English. I didn't travel there with any of my friends, they all had class. It also didn't matter that I went with other people from my abroad program, because as soon as you hit the market you lose everyone. Everything was so much cheaper; I found leather bags ranging from 3-20 Euros. They also sold food, clothing, animals, books, you name it. I didn't buy anything today because I was too intimidated by communicating with the people in the market, especially since I was on my own. It dawned on me that while I know how to inquire about the cost of something, but I still don't know how to translate the answer. Obviously, this does not help me at all. So I used today as a reconnaissance mission, and when I learn a little more Italian I'll go back and haggle for an even better price, hopefully with some friends as well.

Note to self: start making flash cards for the numbers 1-100.

Food

Now obviously the food here is different than food back home in the good ol' U S of A. Gelato and pasta and pizza, oh my! But what I didn't expect was for every restaurant I've seen to have the exact same menu. Pasta and pizza is served everywhere. They also have some meat selection, but choose wisely because that will double your bill at least. I am fortunate enough to live right around the corner from one of the only supermarkets in all of Florence. There's maybe 4, tops. Luckily, I don't have to walk far to get my groceries. Still, this is no typical grocery store like what I was used to at home. The products are different, the prices are different, and the taste of everything is different. Also, everything is obviously written in Italian, so good luck finding a new food and being able to decipher what's in it. I've basically stuck to the basics since I've been here: apples, mortedella sandwiches (thank you Nonni for introducing me to this Italian meat as a child so I knew something here I would like,) cereal, and crackers. Yes, I'm branching out a little more every time I go to the store and try something new. But I knew I couldn't overwhelm my tastebuds and stomach as much as my other senses have been overwhelmed over the last week. I needed some kind of familiarity in order to keep some sanity. I only buy enough groceries to last a few days each time I go. We have limited space in our apartment, and it's recommended that you only purchase food in smaller quantities. Since I'm located near Conad, the supermarket, I'm totally cool with it. The cashiers will probably know me by name by the time the semester is over. Either by name, or just "hey there's that dumb American again."

The water was a big adjustment for me as well. For one, water fountains (sorry, "bubblers" for all you Wisconsinites) are nonexistent. Also, if you walk into a restaurant and ask for water, they won't give you tap water. You have to pay for a bottle. A glass bottle. Of water. So there goes the cheap way of staying hydrated while going out. Luckily, I brought a reusable water bottle that I can just refill at my apartment using the sink. It may not taste the best, but it works. If I want it to be chilled, though, I have to prepare ahead and put it in the freezer for a few hours before I know I'm going out.

To answer your question, yes. The gelato is as amazing as everyone tells you it is. Yes, I have had it just about every other day. I get it in small quantities, though, so that there is no possible way I get tired of it in the three months I'm here.

It's been one week, and I have still not had a glass of wine. So that's a fail on my part. I did have a glass of champagne on my first night here when my roommates and I went out to dinner. We were enticed into the restaurant we went to by the promise of a free glass of wine or champagne. So, win.

Noise

This was by far the hardest adjustment for me. It is never quiet here, ever. As an introvert, my quiet time is crucial to my sanity. I'm used to living in a suburban area, and at school I live in more of a rural area. The most we hear at night is the drunk college student stumbling back from a party, or a random car go by. All things that can be quieted by just closing the window. However, I live right across the Ponte Vecchio, the famous bridge in Florence that attracts every tourist that ever visits. There are three restaurants in the plaza right outside my window, and shops all along the street. Our apartment is located right next to a busy intersection where cars and Vespas are constantly zooming in and out of all hours of the night, as well as people who are fully participating in all aspects of night life that Florence has to offer. And by night life, I mean until about 4am.

Last night, a random parade began right outside my apartment. Like, a legitimate lantern parade. I know this because I was sitting in my room reading before heading to bed when a marching band started playing right below my balcony. I had no idea what was going on, and a sea of people were literally blocking the street. Cars and vespas couldn't even get though, and there was a police car guiding the traffic. We're talking full-out celebratory parade, beginning at 8:30pm.

The day gets started again around 7am as people begin waking up and business start getting ready for the day. It really is never quiet. I have to wear ear plugs during the night, but even those don't block all the noise. I remember on the first morning after I slept in my apartment, I went into the bathroom and just sat on the lidded toilet while hearing all the commotion of people, cars, children, music, and animals, completely overwhelmed with the realization that I was never going to experience silence again until the middle of December. The city was literally going to be the soundtrack of my life 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Even with closed windows, you can still hear it all, just slightly muffled. A full week in and I'm still not used to it, but every day gets a little easier. That's true for the rest of the newness, but the noise was/is my biggest concern.

Scenery

(Original Photography)

Now, this is something that I hope I never get used to. Every day the architecture and the beauty of this city takes my breath away. I am stunned by the artistry of the buildings and the monuments. I live right by the river, on the far side of the city across the Ponte Vecchio. So any time I need to head to class or go into the heart of the city, I get to cross bridges and walk by the river. The architecture is mind-blowing, and no matter what time of day it is the sun always casts a glow along the walls of the buildings, especially along the river. I have not yet had the opportunity to go around and use my DSLR camera, but I have plenty of time to allow the photographer in me to explore. I'm glad, during opportunities like this, that I have an artistic eye that can see just a little more beauty than most people might. I can look at even the smallest thing, like a door frame or the symmetry of the windows on the buildings, and just be completely awestruck by the simplicity. I love the cobblestone streets and the wooden window shutters, the rounded archways and the large heavy doors. Everything is so simple, yet incredibly complex.

(Original Photography)

One of my favorite views, though, is the one I have the most access to. My balcony (see first or last photo in this blog post for a picture). I'm located on the 6th floor, but floors aren't quite the same here. Put it this way, I have to climb 126 stairs to get to my apartment. We do have an elevator, but sometimes (like today) it's out of order. I will say that with all of the walking I do on a daily basis (usually between 1-3 hours a day) and stair climbing, if I don't come home in December at least 15 pounds lighter, I've done something wrong. #Goals.

The only thing I do miss, however, is grass. Today was the first time I saw any grass since arriving, and I had to walk 45 minutes to see it. It's the little things you realize you start to miss, right?

I think I've taken up enough of your time. I've spent about 5 hours writing this (I didn't have class today so I needed to do something productive) and I need to prepare for my 8 hour day of classes tomorrow. As you can see, I've had to make a lot of adjustments over the last week, and I will have to make many more throughout the next several months. At first, I wasn't sure I could actually go through with an entire semester. As someone who struggles with anxiety, part of me wanted to just give up and turn around and go home. Back to the silence, back to familiarity, back to comfortable beds and family and friends. But a larger part of me knew that this was going to be the experience of a lifetime and that I would always regret it if I quit. Every day gets a little easier, truly. The pit in my stomach that's there when I get up in the morning gets smaller and smaller each day. I get more familiar with the city a little more every time I go exploring, and with familiarity comes comfort and peace of mind.

It took me several days to get from this:

to this:

So was the past week one of the most challenging ones of my life? Yes. Am I glad I stuck it through? Of course. And am I looking forward to the rest of the semester? You bet!

Arrivederci!

Ciao, America!

Well, today's the day. September 1st, 2015. A bright and partly cloudy Tuesday with 90% humidity. Today I say goodbye to the U.S. as I start my incredibly semester in Florence.

When I decided to keep a blog to document my trip abroad, it was recommended that I start it before I had actually left. This way, I could really keep a record of the whole experience; the thoughts and feelings I have before I depart, the three and a half months of adventure while I'm there, and the readjustment once I'm back home. I'm a little upset I don't remember who gave me this advice, but I'd like to take a moment to thank that person -- to the kind genius who recommended this, I appreciate you.

Over the last week, I've experienced just about every emotion possible while preparing for this trip, and I plan on using this post to attempt to convey those feelings the best I can. It's been quite the rollercoaster in my head, so anyone reading this who may be prone to motion sickness should maybe take some breaks while reading this. After every minute or so, I recommend looking up from the screen and doing something different: get some water, pet a dog, play some skee-ball, run away from the clowns, and for goodness sakes don't eat funnel cake without sharing. Got your plan of action? Great! Let's begin.

Excitement

Obviously this is one of the biggest emotions that I've felt during the last week as I've prepared for my trip. When I had made the decision to study abroad, it was something that I knew I needed to do. Throughout my life, I will likely have more opportunities to travel and see the world, but I may never be able to study in another country again. I get to learn a new language, one that I've wanted to learn since I was a child. I'm going to make new lifelong friends and go on adventures. I'll be trying new foods and exploring some of the most beautiful parts of the world. The photography opportunities will be breathtaking. There's just so much to be excited for, and I knew that if I didn't take advantage of this opportunity I would regret it for the rest of my life.

Anxiety

Along with excitement comes the nerves. I'm not ashamed to admit that I am a little scared of what's to come. When I was first accepted into the program, people would ask me if I was nervous and I very confidently said that I was not. At the time, it was true. I knew, and still know now, that I'm a very independent woman who can tackle anything I set my mind to. I get along well with almost everyone I meet, and I enjoy a good challenge. I typically don't stress the little things, and take any obstacle thrown in my way in stride. These are all still true but as the day approached, as today approached, the little things did start to get to me. I've never been abroad, and I'm going to have to navigate my first commute to a foreign country all on my own. While I'm not afraid of flying, the thought of having to navigating two foreign airports and going through customs and security by myself is incredibly daunting. I mean, I know the procedure -- I know what's allowed on planes and what isn't; I know not to make jokes while going through customs; and I've been given some great advice by many people seeking to calm my nerves. I have no logical reason to think that anything is going to go wrong, but I'm still intimidated. Out of everything I'm nervous about, just getting to Florence in one piece (and with my luggage!!!) is by far causing me to feel the most anxious.

Of course I'm worried about getting along with the five other women I'll be living with, and what my classes will be like. I'm worried about how I'll react to being catcalled and "pinched," as many people have warned me about. Will I be able to adjust to the culture and to the food? What if I get lost, or mugged, or *insert any other fear you might have before you may have gone abroad*? Believe me, I've thought about it all. But like I said, I enjoy a challenge. I'm nervous about all these things, but I know that the things that we are scared to do are usually the ones that we should do. They are the experiences that show us who we are and help us grow. So am I nervous? Hell yes. Am I going to let that stop me? Hell no.

Appreciation

This is something I cannot express enough. I am so incredibly thankful for everyone who has helped me get to this point in my journey. I'd like to take the time now to recognize some of those people, because I have not done this process alone.

To begin, I need to thank my dear mentor and professor C. Kubasta. C.K., thank you for reaching out to Andelys to contact me about going abroad. You took the first step to help me realize I needed to go on this adventure and experience this opportunity. If you hadn't asked her to contact me, I would probably be sitting in class right now at Marian, beginning my final year with considerably less adventure than I'll be getting now. Thank you for helping me realize I needed to do this for myself.

I'd like to thank Andelys for all of the help you've given me throughout the last year. You've been an invaluable guide and advisor, and I couldn't be more appreciative of your patience and guidance as I've prepared for going abroad. Thank you for making that first contact last Fall and for assisting me with this entire process.

Of course, thank you to my family for being so supportive of my decision to spend a semester abroad.  Thank you for all of the advice and well wishes, for the hugs and the guidance. I couldn't go abroad without knowing I have your blessing. Mom, I know that this is going to be hard for you, but you've been a rockstar and your support means a lot to me. Thank you for teaching me the tools I needed to make this decision and to go on this adventure. I promise I'll keep in touch and I'll be safe. I love you.

To my friends, professors, and mentors back at Marian, thank you for being so awesome. I am going to miss you all to no end, but I'll be back for one final semester! Thank you for all of the hugs you gave me last week when I came to visit. I can't tell you how much better they made me feel. The confidence and support you all give me push me to be my best, and I know I couldn't do this without all of you. A big thank you to my friends in the Chicago area as well for all of the times you've reached out to wish me luck, for all the advice you've given, and for just being amazing.

*product endorsement* Thank you, Netflix, for being there for me as a distraction when I'm too stressed to think about packing. Thank you, Amazon, for your one-day shipping for all my last minute needs. However, we need to discuss how you package your items because the monster box I received for the small camera bag I ordered was egregious. Thank you, Advil PM, for allowing me to have a final good night of sleep here at home. I may not be able to sleep for the next 30 hours, so I have you to thank for any sanity I manage to maintain. Thank you, Portillo's, for my final American meal. I chose wisely.

I need to give a final shout out to my best friend. Anna, I can't tell you how much I'm going to miss you. But I am so grateful that you've been my biggest supporter of going abroad. I know that being by yourself for a semester is going to be challenging, but you'll be great! Thank you for the constant reminder that I'm going to be just fine and calming my crazy anxiety. I know you tell me that it's in the job description of being a best friend but you should know that you go above and beyond, and I am so grateful for you. I love ya Merls, and I'll be back before you know it!

Wanderlust

Since I'm going abroad, my desire to travel has increased exponentially. While I've made no definite plans to travel once I'm there, I do have a bucket list of places that I hope to visit. There are scheduled excursions that I'll be going on with the International Studies Abroad Program to: Sienna, Piza, Assisi, Chinque Terre, Rome, and the Central Hilltowns of Italy. Aside from these, I am hoping to also get to Venice, Bari, and Luca. The first has been on my bucket list since I was a child, and the latter two are where my family immigrated from. I would love to get to see other parts of Europe as well, but I do have a limited budget. My plan is just to be as spontaneous and free as possible. Italy is beautiful and there is plenty to explore there, so if I don't make it outside of the country I'll be perfectly okay with that as well.

Sadness

This is my senior year of my undergrad degree. If I could go back and change anything about this trip, it would be that I had done it sooner. I've realized just how much I'm going to miss by being gone for the last Fall semester, and it does make me sort of sad. I'll miss being a student mentor; the incredible bonding between our team and guiding freshman during their transition into college. I'll miss being a student leader in organizations and clubs. I'll miss the Honor's program Fall events and SPECTRUM's Masquerade Ball. I'll miss my friends and family. I won't celebrate Thanksgiving. It's not until you'll be gone that you realize how much you take for granted all the little things you look forward to during the first semester of school. But people grow older and they move on, and this adventure is part of that journey for me. It makes me sad to think I'll miss out on all these experiences, but I know I'm going to be doing so many new things that will make up for it.

I think I'm going to leave the list of emotions at just the top 5. I could go on to talk about how I also feel happiness, anticipation, confidence, courage, stress, and wonder, but that could take too long and I still need to shower and finish packing before I leave in a little over an hour. I'm sure the person next to me on the flight will be appreciative if I showered. Nine and a half hours is a long time to sit next to someone with body odor, so I know I'm hoping they've done me the same courtesy.

In all seriousness, I'm so incredibly thrilled to be going on this journey. I know the nerves will pass and I'll just be left basking in the glory of breadsticks and gelato. Thank you to everyone who has helped me get to this point and for your support. Thank you for reading my blog and being interested enough to make it to the end of it. The next 30 hours are going to be the hardest, but if there's one thing I know it's this: BRO I GOT THIS!

Ciao!