Having dinner with my host family made me miss my family terribly, and I realized I took the little things such as walking to school, free refills at restaurants and my mom nagging me about cleaning for granted. I can gladly say I have a greater love for both the U.S. and Italy as a result of this experience.
Although this is goodbye for now, I definitely plan to return. Italy is my second home, and just like any home, it was the site of many incredible moments such as seeing the Pope and watching a baby walk for the first time (I almost shed a tear!) as well as tough moments such as crying behind a barn because I missed the city life so badly. There was also the time I tried to find a hotel on the side of a highway outside Florence in complete darkness (I was... terrified, to say the least). I cannot wait to continue practicing Italian, visiting other countries around the world and one day returning to Italy to re-experience the joy I am leaving behind now.
Thank you Italy for making me a new person and thank you all for listening. Arrivederci (goodbye)!
-Maxine :)
