American author, Neale Donald Walsch is quoted as saying, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” I couldn’t agree more.

I am just beginning week four of my twelve-week Joseph S. Bruno Auburn Abroad in Italy program, and the past three weeks have been a blur (and so much fun).

What I really hoped to get out of my study abroad experience was to be pushed out of my comfort zone, learn about different cultures, and experience new adventures. I have always loved to travel and experience new places, but living abroad is different. Not only did I leave the familiar and comfortable surroundings of home to move to a new country with an entirely different language, but I moved in with 20 other girls that I had never met before. There is nothing like living and traveling with new people to go from feeling like a bit of an outsider to making new best friends.

It has truly been a “Grand Tour.” Together, we have toured the Colosseum, the Forum, the Pantheon and the Vatican, tossed a coin (and a cell phone, right Kaitlyn?) in the Trevi Fountain, walked the Spanish Steps, climbed Mt. Vesuvius, explored the Lost City of Pompeii and went to dozens of more sites on our scavenger hunt. We also took a weekend excursion to London where we rode The Tube to Buckingham Palace, flirted with the guards out front, ate yummy fish & chips, did some shopping, visited St. Paul’s Church, Big Ben, the Tower of London, and walked around Piccadilly Circus. The next weekend, we went to Milan and climbed to the rooftop of the Duomo di Milano for amazing views and checked out Italian nightlife at Alcatraz Discoteca! 

I know that only when I stop letting fear and anxiety hold me back am I open to major breakthroughs in life. I will keep pushing myself to expand my comfort zone and look forward with excitement to whatever may come next. Ciao for now!

Lauren Binnig