Italy has been everything that I have dreamt about, and so much more.  This country has so much to offer its people and its visitors.  Everywhere we have been has been beautiful.  Each little town has its own thing that is unique to it.  Whether it is a certain food, drink, profession, etc., each town has their own.  I have thoroughly enjoyed living in the town of Ariccia.  The students are away from the touristic lifestyle that you will find in the bigger cities, and this has made it easier to become absorbed in the true Italian culture and lifestyle.
This country has opened many of our eyes and minds to different ideals, ways of living, and ways of understanding what is going on around us.  The lectures have also helped in opening us up to another culture different from our own.  I hope that when we come home we will hold on to many of the things that we have learned while being in Italy.  I hope that we have all learned to appreciate the Italian culture, and the many others that we might have crossed paths with while we have been here.
This trip has impacted every single one of us while being here and I know that everyone of us has enjoyed the many adventures along the way.  I know that some may have liked it more than others, but I know that we have learned to appreciate the country of Italy and its people.  However, I know that probably everyone is ready to go home and see their families and their friends.  I hope that I will get to come back to Italy quite often because a lot of wonderful experiences have happened to me while I have been here, and I would love to create many more.
Ciao,
Ashton Cooper