Ciao! My name is Kendall Coupland, but everyone calls me Kiki. I am from Phoenix, Arizona originally but I moved to Auburn in 2020 for college. Moving across the country was scary as I did not know anyone and only knew little about the south itself. Although, I knew it was the right thing for me and my future; which turned out to be true. This is exactly how I felt about going abroad as well. Knowing that I had successfully moved across the country for college made me feel like abroad would be a similar obstacle. Plus, the thought of making lasting connections and having once in a lifetime travel experiences with these girls is something I know will benefit me in the long run. Let alone being able to experience and learn a new culture is such a blessing.

Within my first two weeks being in Ariccia, I can honestly say that my emotions were on a rollercoaster. I would be lying if I said that leaving my daily routine and life back in Auburn wasn’t a challenge. Homesickness and the lack of familiarity was difficult, but it got better. The more I got to know the girls that are here with me, the more comfortable that I got. All it takes to make yourself feel at home is the people around you. After all, I consider both Auburn and Arizona my home, all because of the people that are there with me. Then of course, the more I explored the towns nearby helped too as it made me feel more familiar with what is around me.

Overall, I know that the JSB abroad program will teach me amazing things inside and outside of the classroom even more so than it already has. I am so beyond thankful to have gotten the chance of going on this learning journey and am even more thankful for the people who I am doing it with. If I had one thing to say to anyone who was deciding to study abroad, I would tell them to do it! Take the leap of faith even if you are nervous, because trust me it will be so rewarding in the end.

Kiki Coupland

Hailey Benting, Abigail Kramer, Catie Jowers, Sara Manning Miller, and Caroline Lambert at the Parco Savelllo.