I hope I’ve inspired some of you to be curious about the world and to see that life can look very different around the world. When you are young, you have a special kind of freedom; use it to explore and learn.
One more important thing.
You have so much road ahead of you: new people, new places, new ideas and big surprises. Some days will feel bright and easy. Other days will feel hard and heavy. Here’s a little secret: life will always have challenges. But happiness is a choice. And when you choose to face challenges with courage, they help you grow.
Now, back to the present. Enjoy the snow that’s coming your way! I’m a huge skier and can’t believe I’m missing a snowy winter back home in Massachusetts. I’ll be in Italy for four more months. After that, I hope to travel to Egypt, Greece and parts of Eastern Europe. I wish you the best with school and an amazing summer! If you ever want to say hello, Ms. Callahan has my email. I would also love to exchange postcards with you :)
Before I go, I want to tell you about the program that made it possible for me to live and do research in Italy. It’s called the Fulbright Program. It’s a special grant from the U.S. government that lets people live in another country to study or conduct research. The big goal is to help people from different countries learn from each other and understand each other’s cultures better. Many people apply near the end of college, and it can be very competitive; sometimes it takes a few tries!
Thank you for being such a wonderful part of my journey. I will always remember you!
