I didn't know what to expect as I was on the plane to Italy, even though I had time to prepare and look things up online. I mostly thought about the exciting parts like traveling, food and seeing iconic places. I knew it would be different from home, but I did not realize how much it would actually change me as a person. The first few weeks were overwhelming. Everything around me felt unfamiliar; school worked differently, and even simple things like ordering food or taking the train felt stressful. Over time, though, I started getting more comfortable. I learned to adapt rather than panic when things didn't go as planned. This is one reason why studying abroad is so important. It forces you to grow up in a way that staying comfortable at home never really can. Even when things are difficult, you learn from them.
I'm lucky to have lived in Italy during such an exciting time. There was always something happening. Fashion Week and Design Week brought so much energy into the cities. You could feel how important fashion and creativity are to Italian culture. Even just walking around, you would see people dressed in ways that made everyday life feel more interesting. There was also excitement around the Olympics, which made everything feel even more international.
