If you would have told me four years ago that I would be studying abroad in Italy for 12 weeks, I would have laughed at you. If you would have told me that I would feel at home in a little town called Ariccia, I would have told you that you were crazy. However, we are eight weeks in and, I have never felt more at home in Ariccia.

My favorite thing about traveling on the weekends is the feeling of returning to my “nest” in The Palace. This little town has become such a place of comfort, and a place that will have a special spot in my heart forever.

I cannot lie and say that everything about this experience has been easy, but the things we have encountered as a group and individually have allowed each and every one of us to grow.

Prior to coming on the JSB program, I hated to travel. I hated plane, bus, and train rides. So you may think, “Why would you even go on a program like this?”

Well, this program has pushed me to step out of my comfort zone more than I could have ever imagined, and I could not be more grateful for that. I never thought I would be the person to travel every weekend and constantly be on-the-go but that is exactly what I have done. This program has taught me how to be independent, but also how to lean on people that I did not know before coming on the program. I have made friendships here that will last a lifetime, and I cannot wait to bring these friendships back to Auburn. I am so grateful to be a part of this experience as the program is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

War Eagle, Riley Stofka