A letter to my pre-departure self,
Megan! You are about to travel to Florence for a semester abroad, and there is a lot coming! First of all, your visa DOES come in time. Please remember to put a stamp on the return envelope, as it will avoid a lot of trouble. Get ready for a very interesting semester, with challenges, memories, and lots of new things.
You will learn so much this past semester, about yourself, about travel, and about other cultures. First, you learned how to really prioritize study. Previously, being on a traditional college campus, school work is always pushed as your priority. Studying abroad has a lot of room for you to get off the path, but you did well. There is a lot going on around you, and it is important to stay disciplined.
You have become super independent. When you first arrived, you may feel afraid to go to a cafe alone, but by the end of it, you will be able to comfortably take a solo trip to Amalfi Coast! Navigating the airports, train stations, and hostels will soon not be as daunting. As a tip, use social media less while abroad. A few months in, I took a break from social media and deleted all forms, and that was the best decision I made. I suddenly experienced everything for myself, not to say I traveled somewhere, and fully lived in the moment. Abroad is easy compared to all the people traveling every week. Sometimes a break from social media is refreshing!
For some things to know before starting the program, make sure to schedule ahead. You can look at trips ahead of time to find the most affordable times to travel. Use hostels! Today, hostels are held to a very high standard. Read all reviews of course, but many hostels you went to were wonderful experiences with friends. You were able to lock up stuff, sleep in a room with only people of the same gender, and meet new friends. Be bold and try to get out of your comfort zone as much as possible. Talk to that stranger in the museum, say hello to the person in front of you in line, and get to know all your classmates. Abroad is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and as long as you are safe, the worst that can happen is you do not become friends with that person!
The most surprising part of this experience was the ability to create such a sense of community. In Florence, you will be able to get a sense of community that is very strong. This community brings a lot of comfort throughout the semester.
Good luck with your travels!
