The Journey to Abroad and Its Arrival

I have always been a person fascinated with the unfamiliar.  The very things that are foreign to me, are the ones that I seek to explore. And in the turn of life events, I found an opportunity come before me, which asked me to embrace the unknown.  I am overwhelming blessed to find study abroad as apart of my life journey.  I have put the United States on hold to venture into and throughout Europe to pursue my education, encounter the world, and to grow.  From the initial applications, to falling to my knees in excited tears upon acceptance, and planning every last detail for the journey; I sit today in an Italian apartment recounting what my first few weeks in Roma have led me to.

I came into this experience with daydreams of the sights, ideas of the lifestyle, and expectations for my transition.  Everything that I expected for these initial days abroad have been entirely surpassed. I find myself in a place where I constantly feel comfort. I have been placed into an incredible Italian apartment that doesn't compare to any college student housing that I've seen before.  Between the hardwood floors, colorful tiled bathrooms, and balcony above a orange tree garden -- I feel like royalty. Not to mention that I've been sharing this villa with a hilarious and outgoing group of girls from across the States.  To cover the basics: the food is incredible, the weather has been almost entirely pleasant, and my neighborhood is welcoming.  I've been able to explore different corners of Rome: enjoying the major monuments, learning the different neighborhoods and their offerings, tasting true Italian food, meeting people from around the United States and of course the locals, truly testing my wit with public transportation, and taking on the Italian lifestyle.  I've been led to some incredibly beautiful and transformative sights along with having some memorable nights (its not all study). I couldn't be happier with the place I have come to, the classes I am taking to earn that Psychology degree, or where life has led me.

To put my feelings into an example, my joy can be recounted with my first trip to Vatican City.  On one of my first days as a Roman, I took a journey to Saint Peter's Basilica with a group of Saint Mary's abroad students.  As I rounded the corner and had my first glimpse of the Vatican, everything clicked in that moment.  My heart filled with an undeniable warmth. I stepped into Vatican City for the first time and tears fell from my eyes.  Sure, if you know me, this would look like another one of my "catholic girl" moments.  But this moment in itself was different.  This moment was a reaffirmation of everything I believe.  A moment to acknowledge my admiration and commitment to faith.  And a moment to be thankful for where this journey had brought me. In that moment, I cried, not because I was missing home; but because I had found it.

This is Roma.