I have officially been in Milan for a little over a week now and I have had some of the best food I have ever had in my life! I can only imagine what these next few months are going to be like. When I first arrived, I was playing it safe with my meals; only eating things that I was familiar with. As time has gone on, I have become more adventurous with the things I have been eating. The weirdest but best thing I have eaten so far was a sandwich that had walnuts and prosciutto on it! My homestay family has also made me some great meals!

Hola!

What a week it has been! As of yesterday, we’ve lived in France for over 200 hours speaking French, meeting new people, and learning a lot about the Loire Valley and Nantes.

This past weekend we went on our first excursion of the semester to a number of châteaus in the Loire Valley. Saturday’s trip was to d’Amboise and the Clos Lucé, and Sunday’s trip was to Chambord and Chenonceau.

As I prepare for my study abroad trip, I discover more about the importance of detaching myself from materialistic possessions. We have so much stuff and stuff and stuff and stuff…you would be surprised about how much stuff a normal household or person possesses but does not need. Attachment to materials is like a loop; it consumes us and takes us away from real emotions, awkward moments, unimagined connections, unfelt feelings, and from experiencing life.

Before I even booked my flight to Milan, my Italian professors were constantly telling me that I needed to visit Bergamo! When my flight landed, the first message that I received from one of them was “Make sure you visit Bergamo!” So, during the first free weekend that I had here in Milan, that’s exactly what I did! My friend Kerry and I spent early Saturday afternoon running around the train station trying to figure out where to go. That alone was an adventure in itself.

Hello, beautiful people!

I hope life is treating you well!

Clothing? Check

Passport? Check

Chargers? Check

Excitement? Check

Euros? Well, not so much

As shocking as it may seem, there are quite a few differences between my life in the United States and my life here in Ecuador so far. Even though I have tried to welcome these changes as readily as possible, before the semester I had no idea how exactly my life would be different. For your reading pleasure, I have compiled a list of the five biggest ways I have had to adjust within the week and a half that I have been here.

So, I am leaving for Shanghai, China in two days. I have not started packing yet but have laid out all my clothes and belongings that I wish to bring with me. I cannot wait to leave! I grew up in a small town outside of San Francisco and currently go to school at Texas Christian University. It will be interesting to see the difference between California, Texas and Shanghai and compare the different lifestyles of each place.

Rome is calling me, and I have to answer. It would be rude if I didn’t, right?

I picked this program because of my religious and ethnic background. Being catholic and Italian, Rome seemed like the perfect choice for me. After I returned from northern Italy two years ago I told myself I would come back someday, and that dream came true. I have never been to Rome itself, and I’m usually up for trying something new. Another chance to speak with the locals, learn how to cook, visit endless churches and soak in the beauty of life!