Dear Pre-Departure Grace,

Wow—where to even begin? Remember when you were counting down the days, panicking over what you’d pack, and feeling your heart tug between excitement and fear of leaving home? Now, as I’m wrapping up my time here, I realize just how much you’ve grown, stretched, and transformed through this experience. It’s funny to think that just a few months ago, you were that girl sitting in the Philly airport, dreaming of Italy but uncertain of what was ahead.

First off, you’ve learned to be your own constant. Florence has this way of pushing you out of your comfort zone. Remember how much you used to dread the lack of eye contact in the city? Now you’re in a place where people look at you—*really* look at you—like you’re part of their lives, and at first, it felt so uncomfortable. But you learned to hold your head high, navigate with confidence, and trust yourself no matter where you are. That self-assurance, it’s something you’ll carry with you everywhere.

And let’s talk about independence. You thought you knew what it meant to be on your own, but Florence taught you a whole new level. From figuring out language barriers to planning trips on your own, every step was a lesson in resilience and adaptability. You’ve realized how capable you are of handling whatever comes your way, and that’s something you’ll hold close as you move forward.

One thing you wish you’d known before all this is that it’s okay to feel out of place at first. That feeling doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong; it just means you’re growing. In the beginning, the cultural differences were overwhelming, and you felt like a tourist fumbling through every interaction. But eventually, you found your rhythm and learned to embrace every awkward moment as a step toward understanding and belonging.

The biggest surprise, though, was how deeply connected you’d feel to a place so far from home. Florence surprised you in ways you didn’t expect—the warmth of strangers, the beauty in daily life, the quiet moments that felt like they’d been waiting just for you. You learned that sometimes, home isn’t a place, but a feeling you carry within yourself, shaped by experiences and the courage to take on new adventures.

So, here’s to the Grace who started this journey with a suitcase full of anticipation and a heart full of questions. You’ve become stronger, more resilient, and braver than you knew you could be. Carry this experience with you as a reminder of what you’re capable of, and know that the world has so much more waiting for you. You’ll take Florence with you wherever you go, in the ways it has shaped you and the confidence it’s given you to keep exploring. 

With love and pride,  

Grace