How Europe made me a better person
My whole life, I always knew I wanted to study abroad, and for the most part, I knew it would be in Italy.
Before I left, I had expectations, nerves, and a fear of the unknown, but overpowering all of that was the excitement and pride I felt in myself for taking the step I had always dreamed of.
I spent the best four months of my life in Florence, Italy, my favorite place on earth.
During those months traveling throughout Europe, I made memories that will last a lifetime and genuinely changed the trajectory of my life. It sounds cheesy and cliché, but it’s true, and here’s why.
In Italy, the pace of life feels natural and calm. I’ve always had a deep passion for art history, and I was able to be surrounded by it literally everywhere I turned, even just walking to the grocery store, felt surreal. The ancient streets, sculptures carved by Michelangelo and Donatello on the side of buildings, passing the Duomo walking to class. It was all just apart of my daily routine and it was insane to grasp that it was real life.
Slow mornings. Coffee and chatting with friends. Taking breaks outside throughout the day and then easing back into work. Fresh, natural food and an endless supply of sights that never lose their magic. The magic of the nightime yellow glow Eurpean streets. There weren’t chain restaurants but an abundance of local spots where strangers would offer you a bite of what they ordered simply because you said it looked good. A language barrier never stopped anyone from trying to help you or include you.
The intentional, poetic lifestyle in Italy was a huge shift from the fast-paced mindset of America. Don’t get me wrong, I actually thrive in a fast-paced environment, but being able to live within a nurturing, community-centered, slower rhythm was able to bring out a part of me that I needed to grow.
I never felt more true to myself.
Actually having the time for once to slow down, savor life, and learn about so many new wonderful things, I formed a stronger sense of self.
Being alone and building a life for myself in a foreign country, planning trip itineraries, budgeting, exploring the places I’d always dreamed of, all while keeping up with school, made me feel proud in a way I had never experienced. I’ve always been independent, but after navigating European train stations…. I feel like I can do anything.
I was able to visit:
Vienna, Austria
Budapest, Hungary
Paris, France
Marrakech, Morocco
Switzerland: Grindelwald, Zurich, Thun
London, England
Italy: Turin, Rome, Cinque Terre, Tuscany, Amalfi Coast, Pisa, Venice
Seeing so many countries, cultures, environments, foods, and people made me feel profoundly alive and more human than ever before.
While abroad, I went on a solo trip to Switzerland, which became the moment I realized I am capable of whatever I set my mind on, and emphasized the importance of culture, community, and human connection in my life. Spending three days alone with my own thoughts, taking in the beauty around me, and staying in a tiny pod hotel was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
While I was there, I hiked the Swiss Alps—something I never imagined I would do. I was surrounded by a sea of white, looking out at this beautiful earth of ours. It was one of those rare moments where I was genuinely overwhelmed by what was right in front of me. Being in that landscape reminded me of the importance of becoming a force for change in the world, protecting the environment, following your dreams, and believing that you can accomplish what you set your mind to.
These values have always been a part of me, but on that mountain peak, they were amplified and deeply instilled. The constant sense of surrealness I felt pushed me to be more confident in myself—and that confidence naturally carries into the kind of impact I want to make in the industry and in the world.
Trusting yourself—truly believing you are capable—will take you to places you never imagined possible, and affect how you look at life. When you are filled with such immense gratitude, carry it into the mundane day to day, carry it into the exciting days, and use it to drive your life.