Submitted by Deja Rodriquez-Santiago on the 2019 summer session program in Italy sponsored by the Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences…
Since I am the first person in my family to travel abroad, I had no idea what to expect and I have to admit that the process of preparing for the experience was stressful and I was very nervous. However, now that I am here, I feel like I have adjusted surprisingly well and am making great friends and memories. My favorite experience so far was the day trip I took to Cinque Terre, a national park consisting of 5 villages that were spread across a chain of mountains overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. I believe what made this experience so enjoyable was the beautiful scenery. Midway through my visit here, I hiked 4 miles up one of the mountains and when I came to an overlook, I was completely taken aback by what I saw. The moment almost seemed surreal and what stood out to me the most were the colors of the view. The pastel buildings in the villages mixed perfectly with the lively green forestry of the mountains and the crystal clear blue water of the Mediterranean. Standing there in that moment, I couldn’t help, but to feel so alive and calm because I have never seen something as drastic in size or as lively in vibrant colors. Overall, this experience made me more appreciative of the natural beauty of the earth and how grateful I am to be able to witness it in such a way as I did on this excusrion.
