New beginnings can always be a little scary. This is a new beginning for myself and so many others as we embark on this journey in Castiglion Fiorentino, Italy. Although this is a new experience for myself being in Europe, it is not my first time being away in a different country for three months. After studying abroad in Costa Rica last summer, I am able to have a better understanding of everything that COULD possibly go wrong and most likely will go wrong. That does not mean everything will go fine and dandy for myself and everybody else. Culture shock? Missing home? Not seeing your dog for 3 months? Crazy, right? Sure,
there are moments where all you want is that hug from your mom or just to go through that Taco Bell drive-thru at 3 in the morning but just being in a different country and not directly getting those things are all a part of the experience.
Although I am only at the beginning stages here in Italy, I feel like I am so much at home and not having as much of a culture shock as other people may get. Some different things that are helping me here are 1. Friends. This is so important and I would say my number one contributor to me staying sane in a whole different country for three months. I have learned that just going out for a night even if I'm so tired from that day or saying yes to figuring out a trip for that weekend creates a whole new people and making new friends. 2. Doing a few things that remind me of home such as watching Netflix one night or having Pizza Hut because those are the things that truly will remind myself of what home feels like. With this being said, calling home or texting a friend really does make all the difference in the world if I'm just a little unsettled with where I am and all the new things happening. 3. Do some things that may distract myself from thinking about home so much. Although I am constantly going going going and haven't really had the chance to soak in my sorrows from the thoughts of not being back in College Station or thinking about what I may be missing out on while I'm not there, being able to go and do things so I'm not constantly thinking really does help my situation. Although those are just a few of the ideas I have had in order to keep my culture shock to a minimum, there are so many different ways to go about doing so and usually work perfectly.
I have fallen in love with the idea of studying or even just going abroad. It has shown a whole different look at what is out there in the world and truly being able to live the way other people do. It can be scary, things can get challenging but being able to know how to go about things easier really does help. BEING ABROAD IS INSANE! It is unlike any experience out there. I think it has truly opened my eyes for acceptance all around the world and just being able to let a guard down. So my advice is to go out and take on the world, things can get scary, but you truly learn to take on what you never thought you could.
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