Finally – a moment to breathe and process what just happened. It’s crazy how fast time flies. The fact that I just spent four and a half months of my life traveling and living in a foreign country is mind-boggling and I will never fully process that. After my United Airlines plane touched ground on American soil on May 18th, my life has been going at what feels like 1,000 MPH. From graduations to weddings to a full-time job, I haven’t truly had a moment to place my thoughts together and put them all on paper.
To be honest, for the first time in a while, I’m at a loss for words. Those 130 days have been a crazy ride. A ride I never could have imagined would have gone the way it did. I had many laughs and many tears, but most importantly, many amazing memories I’ll hold with me for the rest of my life. I made some new friends and got closer to old ones. I lost one of my favorite people while being 4,000+ miles away.
I saw 10 countries, 7 new ones and 16 cities in total. I passed my classes with flying colors while checking off so many items on my bucket list. It was my greatest adventure yet. I changed as a person and am proud of myself for making it through the entire semester. I learned so many new things about myself and life in general.
THANK YOU FOR THE LESSONS
I learned that study abroad is no joke. This semester has challenged me both mentally and physically. I wasn’t expecting to have the easiest classes I’ve ever taken but I can confidently say this was the hardest semester I have ever had in my 15 years of school. There were times I wasn’t even sure I was going to pass and had to pray that my exam would help. I wasn’t alone either. Everyone on my campus was struggling. Let’s just say, Italian University is challenging and will kick you in the butt if you let it. Luckily I did the best I could and used all of my resources and passed my classes but it took a lot of stress and late nights to get there.
I learned a new sense of independence and got many wake-up calls. I learned pretty fast that although I was following one of my biggest dreams of living in a different country with a new culture and people, Europe didn’t have one thing I love dearly, my family. This was a rough semester for my family and being 4,000+ miles away put a lot of strain on my mental health. There were early morning texts and late-night calls that I wish I didn’t have to take. In a “short” time abroad, I learned the reality of living in a different time zone and country than everyone you know and love. You won’t be around for everything and will have to deal with things alone and that isn’t always pretty.
I owe a lot of changes in myself to this eventful semester. I feel the most independent that I ever have – I guess moving to a big city alone is a baby step when you’re living alone in a foreign country. I have gained new people in my life that have taught me many lessons in a short time and I have had many eye-opening moments that are shaping my future plans. I have tried new foods and learned new languages. I would say that I have changed for the better.
THANK YOU FOR THE MEMORIES
If I listed off every memory I made while living abroad, we would be here for a while. I cherished every day and enjoyed the little moments. There were good memories and bad ones but all of them are worthy of a story to tell someday. Within the many Instagram-worthy, awe-inspiring moments I experienced, I had a few stressful crazy ones as well. From trying to figure out an Italian bus system late at night to leaving my purse (that contained my passport, credit card, ID – everything) on a plane. I experienced moments that at the time were scary and frustrating but I knew one day it would be a cherished memory.
I could go on about my stressful adventures but the ones that took the cake were the good memories so we’ll spare more time for those. The number one question I have been asked is “What was your favorite place you saw?”. Although I love the interest people hold in my adventures, that question is quite a loaded one. I visited 10 countries and I can say confidently that I left a piece of my heart in each one. It’s too hard to pick just one favorite when they each gave me a reason for them but that’s something I can talk about for hours so I guess we’ll save that for another time.
From eating my first genuine pierogies in Poland to driving on the “wrong” side of the road in Ireland. From having a late-night sweet run in Amsterdam with friends I will cherish for a lifetime to seeing the Mona Lisa in person, and discovering it’s very small. From riding an ATV down the coast of Greece to riding a gondola in Venice. Don’t even get me started on the delicious restaurants, lively bars and on-campus picnics in Rome. Every moment will be cherished for a lifetime and I’m grateful for the memories.
THANK YOU FOR THE PEOPLE
As I’ve said many times already, I got to experience all these wonderful things with some very incredible people. I came here with an understanding that I was alone. I had some friends that were going to be there and we could travel from time to time together but when I landed in a new city, I was greeted with some wonderful friends that I am grateful to say will be by my side for the rest of my life. I lived on a small campus and it was hard to not know everyone so I met some amazing people I can wave to when we return to Chicago in the fall but the four girls I traveled with and did everything with are the real stars here.
To Julia Briggs, Evie Kluck, Anna Cate and Caroline Meis – thank you. We experienced a lot together and I’ve already given you each a speel on how much you mean to me but I truly can’t thank you enough for being by my side through the good but especially the bad. When I felt like I hit rock bottom and wanted to give up on everything I worked hard for, you all dropped everything to help me get through it and you knew exactly what I needed to do or hear. You guys became my family away from home and I am so grateful for each and every one of you. Here’s to the Europe memories but also to the Chicago ones to be made. I love you all so much!
THANK YOU MOM AND DAD
It’s no secret – I wouldn’t have gotten to experience any of the things I did without my family’s support. My parents allowed their only baby girl to move thousands of miles away and follow her dreams with no hesitation (from what I could see). They made sure I could experience as much as I could and helped me get through tough times with school and life even if they were across the pond. I could write a novel on how grateful I am for their endless support of not only my abroad journey but life in general and all I can say is I really hit the jackpot in parents. So Mom and Dad, thank you so much for everything. I hope one day I can repay you for all that you’ve done for me. I would be nowhere without you guys.
*Also: Thank you Mom for facing your fear of flying to come see me!
THANK YOU ROME
Finally, although I got to see so many new, incredible places in Europe, the place I got to call “home” for 130 days will hold the most special place in my heart. Even if I spent nearly every weekend away, Rome was my home away from home and I got to explore every corner of it. I got to eat at delicious restaurants (and found a new love of mine – Cacio e Pepe), enjoy some Aperol Spritz at rooftop bars, eat endless amounts of gelato and cannolis, go shopping by the Spanish Steps, walk past the Pantheon like it just another building I’ve seen a thousand times (but am still in awe of), enjoy a picnic in the Borghese Gardens, become a veteran on the public transit, learned about the Baroque art throughout the city, threw many pennies into the Trevi Fountain and the list goes on and on.
I spent the most time in Rome and yet, I still want to go back and experience it all over again. It was a city I had already visited before this semester and honestly didn’t know I would enjoy it as much as I did. I got to experience it with a mature eye and got to enjoy the experience of late nights in my 20s with my closest friends. Rome will always have a piece of my heart and I am proud to call it one of the many homes I have gathered over the years. The “Eternal City” helped me create eternal memories and for that, I’m eternally grateful. (Cheesy, I know.)
Thank you Rome for everything. Goodbye (for now).
Well, if you somehow got through this very long love letter, you are a rockstar. I could write a million more words about this chapter in my life but for now, this will have to do. I am grateful for everything I got to experience and I can’t say that enough. In the words of Kate De Alba, “Everything in Europe is better” and she can’t be more truthful. The future is uncertain but I hope to find myself back in Europe for travels or perhaps permanently but whatever happens, I am content with what I’ve experienced so far and am so excited for the future.
GROW WITH SARAH GRACE 
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