Growing up, people always tell us that the older we get, the faster time flies. I have never understood the reality of this statement until coming on this trip. At the beginning of this summer, twelve weeks seemed like such a long time, and I was absolutely terrified to leave everything I loved at home for what at the time seemed like an eternity. Now, we have less than a month left and I am wondering how the summer could have passed so quickly.
I chose the title “Take a Risk” because coming on this trip was one of the biggest risks I have ever taken, but is also hands down the most rewarding experience I have ever had. I signed up for this trip only knowing one person, and I am going to be honest, the week before I left for Italy, I did not want to come at all. While I was packing my bags, it became all too real that I was giving up my last summer in undergrad with my friends and family to spend it with complete strangers. Now, when I look at the people sitting around me in class, at dinner, and on weekend trips, the word “strangers” is the farthest thing from my mind. If I had not chosen to take the risk of coming to Europe, I would not have gained this new little family that now, I could not imagine life without.
Here are just a couple of examples to show just how much of a family we have become. We recently returned from midterm break, and you would think that we all might need a break from each other since we get zero time apart aside from sleeping. Well, about three days into midterm I found myself missing all my pals and was already counting down the days until we were back home in Ariccia. A second example of how close this awesome group has gotten is that we have planned multiple weekend trips with the whole group. We seriously just love being all together as a group, and I would not have it any other way.
If I had not taken the risk of coming on this study abroad, I would not be living the best summer of my life. I sometimes have to take a step back and think to myself how lucky I am to have this experience. The last eight weeks have been jam-packed with adventure, and looking back I cannot imagine why I was ever hesitant about coming on this trip in the first place.
I plan to soak up every little second of the time I have left. In four weeks I will not be surrounded by my twenty new best friends 24/7, going into Rome twice a week will not be commonplace anymore, I will not be country hopping every weekend, or sipping wine watching the Ariccia sunset. Words cannot express how grateful I am for this summer.
Thank you, Chigi Babies, for making a trip that I was terrified to come on, a trip that I am dreading to leave.
Ciao Ciao!

Just a couple of the pals who have quickly turned from strangers to family.