Next month, I am going back home to Chicago. I didn’t know I would miss Italy so much! When I first came here to study, I felt a little scared and nervous because I didn’t know anyone, but I was also excited to make new memories. I tried new foods, traveled to new places and even went to Spain all by myself! Living so far from home has shown me just how valuable traveling can be. It opens your eyes to places you never knew existed, teaches you about different cultures and plays a powerful role in personal growth. I would definitely tell anyone to study abroad if they get the chance. You can learn a lot and make amazing new friends.
When deciding if I should study abroad, I worried about money, but I got help from a scholarship called the Gilman. It showed me that if you work hard, big dreams can come true. Your background should never be the reason you hold yourself back from seeing the world! Because I studied abroad, I also got to work with Reach the World and talk to amazing students from my own community. I loved answering your questions and sharing my stories. I hope one day you will travel too and see how big and beautiful the world is. This is a reminder that no matter where you come from, you can explore the world and do great things!
