My time abroad has been filled with an infinite amount of new experiences, lessons and growth. No matter the situation I find myself in, good or bad, I am able to take something out of it. There is one moment in particular that I reminisce on often, that really had a positive impact on me and my time here. That moment was simply watching the sunset with my roommates.

It was during my first week here in Italy, when everything was still new and different. I had met five new people at the same time and would be sharing a space with them for the next few months, which was a little daunting. However, as soon as I met them, they were all so excited and kind, and I knew I had made an instant friend out of each one of them.

One day, we wandered the city for hours, taking in all the new sights and learning our surroundings. I had already felt myself getting more comfortable in this new environment, largely due to my new friends and their willingness to explore. The first few days were very important in the adjustment period and they helped me adjust smoother than I was expecting to. Then, as if the day couldn’t get any better, we decided to go to Piazzale Michaelangelo, a popular lookout spot, to watch the sunset.

We made the trek, about a 45 minute walk from where we were when we decided to go, and made it just in time for the sun to start going down. Then, we just sat and talked and enjoyed the scenery for another hour or so. It was refreshing to be able to sit down and relax in such a hectic time. I believe this moment reassured the fact that I had found my people in Florence. Having barely known each other for a week, I felt so comfortable and safe with them. It made me excited for the semester to come and all the new moments we would experience together.

This moment shaped how my time abroad has been. If I hadn’t met my roommates or shared this experience with them, I think my time here would be very different. They helped me adapt to the many changes of living abroad. They push me to try new things. They are there for me when I’m having hard days and right behind me when I’m having the best days. I have been able to grow and embrace my time abroad and all of the things that come with it because of them. This one little moment, watching the sunset surrounded by people I barely knew, has been one of the most impactful moments of my time abroad and I couldn’t be more grateful.