Pinch me, I must be dreaming. We are just starting week 4 of the Joseph S. Bruno program, and I still can’t believe that I am in Italy. In the past few weeks I have seen more beauty than ever before, challenged my personality in more ways than one, and expanded my thinking beyond what I ever thought possible. Coming here was a huge jump for me, but one I felt called to make in order to grow and gain confidence in who I was and who I wanted to be. It’s funny how much you learn about yourself and the world when you are thrown into an Italian palace with 20 strangers who you get to adventure with for the summer. Our fun has stretched from Ariccia to Rome and all the way to Prague and Paris. The summer has brought along with it the most memorable moments and joyful friendships. I will say this fun does not come without the sacrifice of our sleep or alone time, but we are running with the knowledge that we will get rest once we’re back in America. So, my advice to you: take all the trips. Jet off to Prague with six strangers not knowing a single word in Czech. Fly to Paris and run through the metro after the last train before it closes. Choose the challenge of stepping out of your comfort zone, because believe me you won’t regret it. I am not even half-way through this trip, and my goodness is this already the best summer ever.
Salute (cheers) to the next 8 weeks Ariccia,
Amy Sittema

One of my strangers 4 weeks ago, can’t picture life without her now…