Submitted by Althea Suniga on the 2019 spring semester program in Rome, Italy…
It’s not a secret that traveling abroad is a huge privilege. Especially during the age where the world is open to us and it’s our first time being away for a long time from our parents and long-time friends. It’s the time when every moment feels surreal and every moment feels like it has to be seized.
Before departing for Italy, I’m sure everyone had their lists with countries to be checked off and pictures saved of places to visit – I being one of them. But the buzz of weekend trips and jet-setting was quickly dumped with cold water, jolting me awake by reality. I have quickly come to know that planning these daydream trips was more stressful and laced with more anxiety than expected. It’s exciting to land in a new destination and satisfying to check off a bucket list item, but the work before that truly gives me the worst type of chills down my spine.
It came as a surprise to me that I learned my lesson quite easily and very quickly in my study abroad experience. That it’s okay to stay and keep yourself planted for a little bit. That while your other peers may be hopping on a plane every weekend, it’s okay to say no and to be grounded for a weekend or two. Especially when lately I have felt like Rome was not my home for four months, but just a place where I slept for longer and where I went to class. I associated the place that I was supposed to melt into and discover as just another location for me to return to.
Choosing to stay in Rome for a few weeks has taught me that I don’t need to be rushing to flights and to feel like I am obligated to, just because other people are. Staying in Rome for a while has regained the wonder I’ve always attached to the city, which was lost after a week of being here. I got to rediscover the comfort of doing things at my own pace in my own time, and the value of alone time and self-reflection.
Traveling is very much something that I do not take for granted, it’s a blessing that I am where I am and that I get to experience a lot of “once in a lifetime” moments. But I have also come to know that as great it is to see as much of the world in the time allotted here, it is also important to not forget where your feet are planted and to rejoice in it once in a while.