I still think about how fast I walked to the JSB information table when I saw it at our Freshman orientation, Camp War Eagle. After one of the girls at the table explained what this program had to offer, studying abroad became my newfound dream. I imagined a new world for me and new cultures and traditions to learn about. I also thought about all of the new friends I would make, since I love to socialize. All of these thoughts, and all I was hoping was that my parents would say yes.

Well of course they said yes! Now I’m here and it has been such a life changing experience. I have never been out of the country before this, and the emotions of leaving my family and friends for the summer didn’t hit me until I had my last weekend in Auburn. Getting on the bus to head to Ariccia for the first time was definitely a bit overwhelming. I remember trying to fight sleep on the bus, but I looked up and I saw a McDonald’s in the distance. A wave of happiness hit me because I saw something that reminded me of home.

As unhealthy as McDonald’s is for me, I get reminded of my family every time I have passed by one. Every Saturday when I’m home, The family makes it a priority to go to McDonald’s in the morning. My aunt and cousins come along with us too. We stay for hours and just talk until the menu changes to lunch time. It is a comfort restaurant and I was kind of afraid of being away from it. As dramatic as that sounds, I really do feel at home when I eat or even see a McDonald’s. Honestly, this whole study abroad I feel like I have been annoying the girls every time we pass by a McDonald’s because I just get so happy and I let everyone know that it is near.

Enough about McDonald’s… When we made it to the palace, I was amazed by all of the people walking around the square. The pictures on the internet do not compare to the beauty of it in real life. All I was thinking was, “I think I’m going to like it here”

Being so close with my family and not being able to talk to them everyday was definitely a challenge in the beginning of the semester since I have never been so far away from them. Of course, I like being independent, but I believe that being in contact with my family and friends is important. I quickly got over it, because being abroad has been going so great. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I know my family is going to be proud that I was able to take a risk in life. No one else in my family has been able to say that they have studied abroad, and I am glad to be the first.

I have been loving my daily routine of getting up and going to Antico Caffè for my morning cappuccino, then walking back to the palace for class. Taking the train and using public transportation is also very new to me and it is something I am getting used to. These past weeks we have explored many different places, like Rome, Minori, Capri and much more to come. Our group was supposed to go to Pompeii and Naples, and go to Ischia from there, but everyone started getting sick and it was better for us to cancel the trip. Things happen for a

reason and it made me think how coming to the program with an open mind has definitely influenced my decisions of where I want to go.

I took the Ischia weekend to relax at the palace and take a day trip to Rome. I was relieved that I had not gotten sick that day. Seeing all the girls with exhausted looks on their faces made me feel so sad. I had myself a great day until I got sick the next day. I really thought I could escape the sickness since “I never get sick”, but I got ahead of myself. I called my mom and she was obviously worried. She knew that seeing me sick was odd, but I calmed her down and told her that it would go away soon.

Time is flying by and I need it to slow down so I have time to take everything in. I am loving the people of Ariccia, and practicing my Italian. The community has been so fun and open to getting to know us. Dancing with the ladies of the senior center has become one of my favorite memories because I know that at that moment, I was genuinely happy. Getting closer with my classmates has also been one of the highlights of my abroad experience. I never thought about how much I could love a group of girls that I just met. I have never made so many memories in such a short amount of time, and I am hoping that we stay as close as we are now when we get back to Auburn.

While my parents were more than happy to let me study abroad, my mom was terrified. She still is scared of me being so far away from her. She is so used to just being two hours away, and was always ready for me to come home whenever I needed to see the family, which is understandable since I am the oldest and their “experiment” child. I text her every day, and I update her about my new adventures. I wish she wouldn’t worry so much, this is one of the best opportunities that I will be able to be a part of!

-Lysha Cuevas-Reyes, Apparel Merchandising ’26