I recited the same story countless times to family, friends, acquaintances, and
strangers in the two years leading up to my departure from Montgomery, Alabama and
arrival to Ariccia, Italy. “I’m going to study abroad in Italy for three whole months!” But,
no matter how many times I said it, it never actually felt real. I had never left the country,
or even the south of the United States for that matter. I wanted to go to Italy for as long
as I could remember and I even signed up for this program my first semester as a
freshman at Auburn.

I completely idolised the experience of visiting another country such as Italy, but
as my flight got closer, I began to feel some serious anxiety about my decision. I did not
know one person going into this experience and I had not flown since I was a child, let
alone by myself. It seemed insane what I had signed up for the closer the time got. This
program was something completely out of my comfort zone and like nothing I had ever
done before. I was very anxious about how different things would be in such a foreign
place and how alone I would be without anyone I know coming along with me.
Once I arrived in Ariccia, the reality of my situation didn’t set in until a few weeks
into the program, if I’m being honest. Some of my fears were realized and the
adjustment curve was steep, but I soon began to settle into my new way of life. I
established routines, found new favorite foods, made great friends, and got comfortable
with navigating and using public transportation. I have gotten to see so many beautiful
things and have learned so much already. I’ve had the opportunity to practice my Italian
in an immersive way that I would not have been able to elsewhere. I’ve discovered
aspects about myself that I never would have if I hadn’t decided to take a step into the
unknown.

There were definitely lots of moments where I felt like giving up and catching the
next flight back, but I would not trade the experience I have had for anything. I have
grown more in the past seven weeks than I have from any other experience I can
remember. My resolve has been tested physically, mentally, socially, academically, and
more since I arrived in Ariccia. I remember writing in my first journal entry for week one
that I knew I would leave this program much differently than I came into it, and I can
already tell that will be true.

As of now, I am more than half-way through my time in Ariccia, and I believe that
the coin has flipped. I can see the brighter side of things and I am now comfortable and
see the Chigi Palace as a home away from home. I won’t lie and say that I don’t miss
my home in the United States, but I’m now completely open to soaking in all of the time
and experiences that I have left in this special place.

Melisa Strickland

– The Ponte Monumentale di Ariccia at sunset on January 31, 2024