Submitted by Laura Binczewski on the 2019 winter session study abroad program in Italy sponsored by the Department of Linguistics and Cognitive Science and the Department of English…
Ever since I was younger, when I thought about going to college, I knew that study abroad would be a part of that experience. I am so grateful that UD gave me the opportunity to fulfill this dream of mine. After getting accepted to this program, I started to get a bit nervous and anxious at the fact that I did not know anyone going on the program and I was not sure exactly what to expect from it. Then I came across a quote saying something along the lines of, “if it terrifies you and excites you at the same time, it probably means that you should do it.” After that, I tried to really open my mind and embrace all of the experiences that we were faced during this program. And I am so, so glad I did. At the latter half of our last week, traveling to Florence and then back to Rome was quite a wake up call that the program was almost over and we would no longer all be together in this beautiful country. Instead of being (too) sad about this daunting fact, as a group we wanted to make our last days count and have a great time continuing to explore and enjoy things together. In Florence, we got to visit Michelangelo’s David statue and the famous Duomo. I was even able to meet up with a friend from my hometown who was studying in Florence for the semester.
Throughout the course of the month-long program, it is incredible how close we got with each other. Being in such a new place, with a different culture, language, food, forces us as humans to stick with each other and become allies. This program has really taught me about myself and how to be more open minded and adaptable to the world, and the people, around me.
