Try Not to Blink

Welcome to Italy, a beautiful land filled with wonders, history, and a new path to be taken, but try not to blink because it all goes by in such an instant. From day one, every single day has been a constant blur of movement, learning, and a whole new world of experiences for me. I have gone to wine tastings, eaten octopus, climbed hundreds of stairs, missed trains, made trains, broke a bed, fell in Pompeii, made new friends, spoke Italian, helped create a beautiful tiramisù, and explored an ancient Temple of Diana, all things I had never considered or never had the opportunity to do before. Perhaps the most insane part of this amazing experience would be that it is more than halfway done, but there is still so much more to experience.

I will say that not all of this program has been sunshine and rainbows, and it certainly is no vacation. However, it has been wonderful nonetheless and filled with stories that could only be collected through this experience. Who can say that they lost two chunks of their hand and bled all over the historical roads of Pompeii? Who can say they experienced the reality of Naples, the good and the bad, over the course of a weekend? How many people are granted the opportunity to really see and be a part of another culture? Well, I can, and, without the Joseph S. Bruno (JSB) Program, these stories would have remained untold, and these moments of cultural connection would never be mine to cherish.

It is crazy to think about how I ended up in such an amazing place as Italy. To start with, the JSB Program was one of the key reasons I became a Global Studies major, and through this program I have had a chance to interact with so many people and experience so many cultures, both American and Italian, through cohabitation and traveling around Italy. This experience has forced me to grow as a person and further develop my cultural intelligence, which is crucial for my future professional and personal life of collaboration on a global stage. Living with others in close corridors for twelve weeks emphasizes the necessity of problem-solving and working through conflicts together. I came to Italy to see the world, grow as a person, and learn to work better with others, and I have done all of that and so much more.

Before this program, I would be classified as the quiet, introverted, but quirky kid. Someone who struggled to make lasting friends, take chances, and tended to live life without truly experiencing it, preferring to stay in my own world. While I cannot say that I have become a completely new person, I believe I am happier with who I am and what I have been able to accomplish.

During this program I have been pushing my comfort zone and making friendships that I hope and believe will last, taking chances with travel and experiencing Italy, and, most importantly, learning to value myself more. I may not have traveled as far or as often as many of the people on this program, but, when I did travel, it was authentic and valuable.

Much like a crucible burning away impurities, the JSB Program revealed aspects of myself I had never considered and forced me to participate in the lives of my travel companions and local community in a way I had never experienced before. There was always something to do, always some element or activity connected to the culture to engage with. Time to relax and watch television was sparse and far in-between, that is if you wanted to sleep at a reasonable time. But this was a good thing, at least for me.

Without being forced out of my comfort zone, I fear I may never have left it. I hope to continue pushing this boundary and growing long after this program ends, taking my knowledge and drive into the real world and making a genuine difference wherever I end up.

With three weeks left of this program, I am not sure how it will end, but I know I will be trying my best to keep my eyes open and try not to blink. I know that I am better off for this program and feel confident moving forward, knowing that I have gained skills to connect with others from various backgrounds and cultures to achieve a common goal. I know now that I have the ability and drive to overcome any challenge that comes my way through collaboration and perseverance.

Thus, for the last time, I am trying not to blink during these last few weeks, and I will always remember my experiences and personal growth forged during the Joseph S. Bruno Travel Abroad Program of Spring 2024.

Grace Hannah

Melisa Strickland and I on our walk to the Temple of Diana in Nemi. This was one of my favorite days here in Italy, and I was trying to work on my selfie skills. They may still need some work, but it was a truly wonderful adventure!