I cannot help but hum the lyrics “We’re halfway there” from the Bon Jovi song “Living On a Prayer” as the end of our time abroad is closing in more rapidly than I would like to believe. Our weeks have been filled with full schedules; a gift our group continues to maximize. More specifically, this week took a sharp turn from our time in the classroom with various influential lecturers to living out of our suitcases as we explored Prague, Umbria, Cinque Terre and beyond.
Time after time, these small towns invigorate our time, amidst heavy eyes and blistered feet, as we seek the side streets to find traditional restaurants, ceramics, and locals who reflect the heart of their city. Orvieto granted us an insight into Bottega Michelangeli’s woodworks seen around the town as well as the handmade ceramics of family owned businesses that accentuated homes and restaurants alike with detailed images of antiquity. These specialties proved to be the perfect gifts for the ultimate homemakers; our mothers!
Our time away from the palace began to wind down as we visited a family-operated winery, Trebotti, where we tasted some of Italy’s most organic and finest grapes from this budding wine business. There is always something about the time spent around a meal and a glass (or two) of wine that creates the most special of communities among our group. In these times, we are refueled, encouraged, and our motley crew comes together to share more of our hearts amidst this unbelievable adventure. Each member adds a unique perspective, enlightening our experience for the better.
As we approach the halfway mark and a break from our time together, I hope that we continue to challenge ourselves to never stop exploring, to fill our time with the fullness of adventure so that we may continue to unite together, enlightening one another with stories that continue to humble us in remembering that this education abroad is truly once in a lifetime.

“In wine, there’s truth.” — Pliny the Elder