“Dude, you have to sign up for the Italy program for Fall 2017. That’s when I’m going. Please, please, please. It’s gonna be amazing.”
That is something I said my freshman year of college, sitting next to my friend and sorority sister in a Consumer and Design Sciences class that I now can hardly remember the name of. I had for the Joseph S. Bruno program already, after a long 18 years of daydreaming about far-off places and faces, and was begging her to come with me so that I would have a friend by my side out there in the big wide world. Luckily, I found a way to convince her.
We’ve been here in Italy for about a month and a half, and what a ride it has been. From long (but nonetheless wonderful) class days, to program-sponsored field trips all around the Italian countryside, to jetting off for personal travel every single weekend – I am exhausted in the best way possible, and I am so thankful for every second.
Castelli Romani.
Rome.
The Amalfi Coast.
Umbria.
London.
Paris.
Amsterdam.
Prague.
And that’s just so far.
The places you’ll go.
The funny thing, though, is that all this globetrotting isn’t even the best part. There is something else, something absolutely precious, that gives meaning to all of these places, and makes the Joseph S. Bruno program like nothing else in the world. I’ll spill the beans – it’s the friendships.
Bailey – I love your sense of humor, and how you always speak like you’ve had what you were going to say planned for weeks. It always makes me laugh and impresses me all at once.
Kaila – I love your sense of understanding. You always offer your compassion to anyone who is stressed or upset about something.
Suzanne – I love your adventurous nature, and how you’re willing to be a friend to anyone. Having someone like that so far from home is truly a blessing.
Caroline (“Girl”) – I love your sense of humility and your will to be weird. You’re a complete goofball, and a soul sister for sure.
McKenzie – I love your enthusiasm and curiosity. Your personality can only be described as vibrant and I so admire that in a person.
Caroline D. – I love both your sophisticated side and your goofy side, and I think I can speak for both of us in saying that Fall ’17 was definitely the right choice.
Olivia – I love your sarcasm, but more importantly I love your willingness to drop everything for a friend. You’re a good one, girl.
Morgan – I love your southern charm, and your quick wit. You genuinely crack me and everyone else up.
Bryce – I love when you bust out in song and dance, and I love your willingness to lend a hand when the rest of us fall short with kitchen duties or just anything at all. You’re so helpful and so, so, so fun to be around.
Caroline H. – I love your confidence. We took on two trips to Chipotle in 24 hours together without a shred of guilt. You do you, and I respect that.
Erin – I love the way you try new things. Every time we’re out to eat or on a weekend trip, the things you are willing to give a shot are always both surprising and impressive.
Haley – I love your sense of style. Every time you walk downstairs for a field trip I literally want to steal your outfit. Keep on killing it, girl.
Lindsay – I love your quiet presence, because every time you come out with some ridiculously funny side comment it makes it all the more surprising and hilarious.
Sutton – I love your inner wild child. You are always ready to take on anything, and that, to me, makes you so much fun to be around.
Kirsten – I love the way you go through life laughing. In any situation, I can always count on you for some comic relief, which I so appreciate.
Marybeth – I love having you as a roommate. You’re super easy talk to and funny and it’s nice to have someone so approachable to share a space with.
Lily – I love how you are the perfect balance of sweet and sassy. You are such a soft soul but sometimes you come in and crack a super dry joke and I think it is too funny.
Rileigh – I love your heart for other people and the side of you that doesn’t care what anyone thinks. You’re an absolute gem and I’m so lucky to have you to keep me laughing.
The people you’ll meet.
These people make this place all the more significant. Becoming pro-travelers with these girls by my side has been a whirlwind, and with the way things are going so far, I imagine things can only keep going up.

Fall ’17 at the Opera