Dear Pre-Study Abroad Conna,

It’s hard to believe that this chapter of my life is coming to an end soon. From before I left for Florence to now, my life and I have changed so much, in the best way possible! I have gained so much from this experience that I know will stay with me for the rest of my life.

I find myself looking at the world a little differently now. I have seen how uniquely people live their lives around the world. What I consider a normal life is completely different from what someone else, somewhere else, believes to be normal. This has taught me to approach everyone I meet with an open mind. Success, happiness, and what people value are measured so differently depending on where you are in the world. I feel so lucky to have had the privilege to get a glimpse into these other little realities.

One of the biggest ways I’ve grown is in my confidence and independence. Traveling to new places, navigating unfamiliar cities, and learning how to communicate despite language barriers have all shown me just how capable I am. At first, the idea of traveling to different countries every weekend and losing a sense of daily routine felt overwhelming, but now I look forward to every adventure. I’ve learned to embrace spontaneity, take things in stride, and trust that I can handle whatever challenges come my way. I even decided to take a solo trip to prove to myself how self-reliant I can be and to fully embrace following my own desires to explore.

Something I wish I had known before leaving for my program was how removed from life at home I would feel. To start, half of my day happens while my friends and family at home are asleep. I didn’t realize how much this would affect how often we talk. Additionally, the life I am living right now is just so different from the lives my friends back at school are living. Every weekend, I am traveling to a new country or city, having new independent adventures. I rarely think about the routine they have at home and what they are up to. I expect that’s the same for them. My roommates here and I often talk about how we feel like we are in a “study abroad bubble” right now. We don’t pay that much attention to American news or things going on at Pitt. This has definitely made it a little harder to stay connected with people back in the States.

However, I don’t think that’s all bad. It is important to live in the moment during this special time in my life and truly feel like this is my world for the time I am here. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that it’s okay to be present where you are. Life at home will still be there when I return, and while it’s important to maintain connections, it’s equally important to embrace where I am now.

What surprised me the most? How quickly Florence became a second home. At first, everything felt so foreign; from the tiny streets to the different pace of life to the way Italians approach daily routines. But now, I know my way around, I have favorite cafés and a routine, and I feel a sense of belonging in this city. I never expected to feel so at home in a place that once felt so unfamiliar, but that has been one of the most incredible parts of this experience.

So, to my pre-departure self: Get ready for one of the most exciting and influential periods of your life! It’s okay to be nervous, but I promise there’s no problem you can’t figure out, and in the process, you will learn more about yourself than you ever expected. Enjoy every single moment, because before you know it, you’ll be writing this letter, wondering how the time passed so quickly.

Love,
Your Future Self