As we are approaching the end of this semester my utter lack of excitement to go home is growing stronger. Don’t get me wrong! I miss my family and friends back in the States, but I have fallen in love with the cute little town of Ariccia, the friends I have made, and Italy in general. It seems as if I just arrived in Ariccia, and then blinked and now we only have two weeks left.
Didn’t take me long to fall in love, and call Ariccia home; from the beautiful sunsets over Lake Albano, the baroque architecture, to the wonderful towns people that truly give this town it’s charming nature. It’s always nice knowing I can get up, and walk across the street to Rita’s to have a delicious cappuccino, or walk down the Corso to see my favorite mustache man and order a panino. Boy, am I going to miss those! Also, after long weekends of travel I am always washed over with a feeling of relief, comfort, and a sense of home the moment I walk through the Palace door. Everything about this quaint little town has pulled on my heart strings, and has made it that much harder for me to leave this place.
When I was arriving in Ariccia I may have been a little nervous, but I was more excited than anything. This experience forced me out of my comfort zone. I was walking into this semester not knowing a single person, but after the first night in Ariccia all my nerves washed away. For the past two and half months I have been living with eighteen ladies all with uniquely, beautiful personalities. As I got to know each one of them a little more I knew this was going to be an amazing and unforgettable experience. I can confidently say that I have made life long best friends that I wouldn’t have gained if it wasn’t for this trip. Not only have they become great friends, but they have become my Chigi family. They have helped make Palazzo Chigi, and Ariccia feel like home.
This opportunity and the amazing people I have gotten to know have enriched my life in so many ways. The town of Ariccia will forever have a piece of my heart, and it will always be my second home. This has been the best experience of my life.

Home, a place your feet may leave but your heart will always be.