You may be wondering what telepathy has to do with studying abroad. Well, for me, learning to communicate with people outside of my native language has resulted in my enhanced ability to communicate without words. When choosing to study in Florence, I knew that I wanted to communicate with the locals the best I could. However, not knowing Italian posed to be a challenge.

The main soft skill I developed during this semester was being able to communicate with my hands, facial expressions, and body language. I grew to be more patient and understanding of others who share the same language barrier struggle. Not only that, but when traveling outside of Florence to places such as France, Austria, Greece, Spain, and Switzerland, I grew reliant on “filling in the blanks.” I learned that when ordering, offering a traditional greeting and a smile will go a long way. When crossing the roads, it is important to pay attention to the typical flow of foot traffic. I also learned that it is important to use Google Translate in times of need, and to ask frequent questions before, during and after the trip. Overall, I gained a sense of resiliency, patience, and trust in my own ability.

As for technical skills, I learned the importance of budgeting, adherence to schedules, and booking tickets in advanced. I grew accustomed to early flights, changing plans at the last minute, and planning out my day in advance. Overall, there were many skills I developed while being abroad.