I am nervous, surprisingly. The past few months have been stressful, trying to get things done for study abroad, but now that things are finalizing, I’m feeling less stressed. At Nanzan University, I will be studying Japanese, so I have to prepare for that. I am worried about…everything! From figuring out train systems to making friends to being prepared for my classes! However, everything will probably be okay. It took a lot of work to get to this point, and yet it almost seems unreal.

Hi everyone,

Eight years ago, I sat behind a desk prepared to take my first Chinese language course. I could have never imagined that my teacher 袁老师 (Yuan Laoshi) and her lessons would encourage me to visit the country I learned so much about. Four programs, a dozen scholarship applications, and a few disappointments later, I finally had the opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream. Preparing for this opportunity had its ups and downs.

My friends and I made a weekend trip out to Mendoza, which is famous in Argentina as wine region. Mendoza is close to the Argentina-Chile border and sits on the eatsern side of the Andes. It's also a bustling city that is famous for its tree-lined streets and lively plazas. Mendoza is technically in the desert, and it sustains itself through its acecquias—irrigation ditches—that run on nearly every street.

I am so excited for the experience of living, studying, and immersing myself in Italian culture for the summer! I hope to truly develop a global mindset and global citizenship. As I am an extremely task- and goal-oriented person, I decided to make a list of things I aim to accomplish while abroad. I am sharing my list with you all in hopes of not only keeping myself accountable but to hopefully (fingers crossed) by the end of the summer be able to check off my goals and reflect on new experiences that I have added to my list.

Although this was pre-recorded before I left to explore more of Europe, I wanted to document how thankful I am for having been able to come to Rome and acquire the experiences I have been blessed with. It is a reminder for me that even though my reality may not align with my plans, there is always a better timing and reason for everything. 

Going on this trip knowing that it would be one of the last in Italy during this program, there was a gloomy aura that surrounded it. Nevertheless, Sicily was wonderful, and I don't think I will be able to forget the delicious granita. It was absolutely exquisite. I am able to understand the hype around Italian ice now. 

I am a fashion lover and always have been and that’s my truth. Flash back to 11-year-old me and I’d be sporting a hound’s tooth sweater vest and a hat from Nordstrom—not a fedora, Brenda, don’t try to come for me. When I knew I was coming abroad for an entire year I didn’t want to overpack because I didn’t want to be that American showing up to my homestay and take up half the itty-bitty apartment. Plus, I knew I would come back home for Christmas, so I just kept reminding myself not to go crazy.