Packing can be overwhelming to say the least. Overpacking leaves you worried you will never be able to carry your suitcases, and underpacking always leaves the lingering worry that you will forget something essential. Suddenly that sweater you haven’t worn in months transforms into a wardrobe necessity or none of your numerous pairs of jeans look suitable. Should you pack books? What about an umbrella? Will you use paints? You know those snow boots are heavy—but what if there’s a blizzard?

Hi guys! My first two weeks in Spain have been incredible!! My heart (and my stomach) are so full. At first, adjusting was hard to navigate but making such incredible friends in such a short amount of time have made things a lot easier. My roommates and I instantly hit it off and have been inseparable ever since. We have danced for hours on end, ate more baguettes than we can count, cried, laughed, and gotten lost in some of the best ways possible.

The first few weeks of study abroad will rush by. The most exciting part is exploring all Nice has to offer for yourself!

As a natural born introvert, the constant bombardment of new people and experiences can be a lot. Being abroad means that everything is new, which can sometimes make coping with anxiety and homesickness difficult. Your normal support system and go-to places are no longer there and you have to find new ways of managing. For me, something that has been unexpectedly causing me anxiety has been spending time with big groups of my British friends.

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!