As my virtual exchange with all of you comes to an end, I want to say thank you for letting me be a small part of your classroom during these past few weeks. I’ve had so much fun sharing pieces of Italy with you, everything from the food I’ve tried to the places I’ve explored to the people I’ve met. What made this experience truly special, though, was you: your curiosity, your thoughtful questions and your excitement to learn about a world beyond your own.
I want to thank the Gilman Scholarship, which made it possible for me to study abroad and connect with your class. Without their support, I wouldn’t have had the chance to experience Italy in such a meaningful way, or to share that experience with all of you through Reach the World.
Even though our time together was short, I hope it sparked something important. I hope it showed you that the world is big, exciting and full of people living in ways both similar to and different from your own. You don’t need a plane ticket to start exploring. Being open-minded, asking questions and wondering about life in other places is the first step toward becoming a traveler.
