Student Bloggers

I’m getting ready to study and travel abroad for my second time - this time, I feel much more prepared and confident. Aside from having to leave my large cat behind in Ann Arbor so I can live and study in Rome for the semester, I think I’m feeling ready.

My name is Haley, by the way! I’m a senior at University of Michigan, studying creative writing & literature. I studied Italian for four semesters and have always wanted to travel to Italy, so this semester is culminating many of my goals. I’ve studied abroad once before in Spain, which was great, but I’m ready for a completely different study abroad experience this time around. So, why Italy? I’ve always been drawn to the country and its culture since learning that I have Italian ancestry. My language classes and adventures in learning how to cook furthered my interest in visiting the country, and I’m very excited to have this opportunity.

Packing has been the biggest challenge for me so far. My previous abroad experience was only for six weeks during the spring, so I didn’t have to pack for much of a weather change (or for a whole semester). I like to think that I’m good at packing light, but this goes through the window when it comes to packing for 111 days and a season change. Which jackets do I bring? How many sweaters? I think I’ve answered these questions, but even with a couple of days left before leaving, I’m not sure if my luggage is finalized. So far, I've only mostly packed my checked suitcase and haven't touched my carryon, which is to say, it is not finalized.

Otherwise, I think I feel prepared. I have my visa, an open mind, bought plenty of film for my camera, and found a new TV show to download while I sit on a plane for nine hours. I have excitement and some loosely formed goals for my time in Italy, where I have been wanting to travel for much of my life. This is my senior year of undergrad, so I feel things coming to a close while also feeling the excitement of a new experience for which I’ve been waiting for several years. Despite not having spoken any of the language for a year, I’ve retained the basics and I’m hoping to develop my skills even further by talking to locals and immersing myself beyond some comfort levels. When in Spain, I didn’t know much Spanish so I kept to myself and the other Americans in my cohort. My experience was great but I know I would’ve gotten more out of it had I gone beyond my boundaries. Knowing that this semester will likely fly by, I want to get the most out of it and branch out by making friends (or at least conversations) with said locals.

For now, though, I want to finish packing and get from the mitten to the stiletto boot safely.