As my last few weeks here have been dwindling down, I've started receiving questions about my adventure in Italy! I enjoy the questions because they make me think & analyze my time here -- but some are just stinking hard to answer because over the course of 4 months a lot has happened ! So I'm going to try my best to create a blog out of some of the questions :)
What was my favorite country to visit & why?
Quite the difficult question to answer. They were all very unique & lovely in their own way. I would probably have to say that Switzerland was my favorite though! Most likey because we were able to see the mountains, snow && water. There's something captivating about being surrounded by gorgeous scenery every second. But don't get me wrong, I definitely loved them all and pray I'm able to return one day!
What's the biggest thing I'll take away from this experience?
Trillions of things- but here's my top few :)
- That I am a stronger person than I thought. I've learned I can do it - anything & everything. This experience has taught me that any obstacle put in my way can be overcome. I just have to believe in myself and trust in Jesus' promises. It always works out and this semester has been a huge testament of that!
- To actively go out of my way to make people feel loved, cherished, & welcomed - especially if it's somewhere I call home & they are unfamiliar with it. I can't even express how much it means to me that the Italians on our street smiled at us, laughed with us, and made us feel so welcomed in their home town! I wouldn't have felt at home in Arezzo if it weren’t for them.
- Plus, it's made me extra thankful for my absolutely wonderful, lovely, caring, and hilarious friends from home.
Would I recommend studying in Italy compared to other countries?
Absolutely! It's surrounded by incredible countries, which makes traveling convenient. Plus you could spend every weekend just traveling within the country - there's tons to do here! Just hop on a train && you're in one of the greatest cities in the world :)
Has this experience made me want to live abroad / could I ever see myself living abroad?
If I would have been asked this question the first few weeks of being here, I might have said no. After being here for an extended amount of time I've grown to love it & I've loved proving to myself I could enjoy living here - so YES, probably not permanently though!
What has been my favorite memory?
Well, of course I've loved it all! But here's my top 2::
- SPRING BREAK: Katie & Melissa came to visit & it was quite possibly the greatest gift we could have ever asked for !! The timing couldn't have been more perfect, 1/2 way through the semester we were able to embrace our best friends & dominate Europe together!
- Daily life in Arezzo: Buying coffee & croissants from Fabbio at Lincoln bar is truly the highlight of my day - I love starting my day with smiles, waves, and "buongiorno" from him. Even though we don't have great communication, I truly feel like he would do anything for us. I also treasure: visits from our absolutely adorable landlord, purchasing diet coke from a precious woman eager to learn English, cooking at our apartment with Pat & Bryce, dinners at MexCal with Staley & Liz, plus strolling on the Corso while eating our favorite gelato isn't too bad either! :)
What's the biggest thing I've missed from home?
yikes! So very many things, but that's mostly just because it's home && it's what I'm used to. But truly my family & friends are what I think about most frequently from Stati Uniti!! [thank you to everyone who has made an effort to keep in contact with me via Internet- never knew I could feel so loved living 6,000 miles away]
What's been the hardest thing about living in a different country & culture?
The language barrier - but that ain't too bad anymore :)
What would I have changed about this experience if I could?
Nothing!! At first I immediately thought "better weather" -- if y'all haven't noticed we are still dressed in jeans & rain jackets most of the time -- but then I decided being in the rain 24/7 has been good for me. Before coming here, I absolutely dreaded the rain and sometimes I'd let it ruin my day. But recently I've learned to not let my present circumstances dictate my mood. It's a decision to have a magnificent day even though it's pouring. I needed to learn that. Plus the rain doesn't seem to phase me anymore [well, for the most part :)]
As we sit on our awkwardly slanted apartment couches, stand in awe of the unbelievable view out our living room window, and walk down those 3 flights of stairs for the last time today - my heart is full. I'm feeling overwhelming blessed and adored by my Savior. Never in my life could I have dreamed up an experience this perfect - but He did. He knew exactly what would make my heart beat faster for Him and He knew exactly how he needed to break me / stretch me to be a better woman of God. I'm insurmountably grateful.
"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with His love, he will rejoice over you with singing." - Zephaniah 3:17
i'm about to make your blog my homepage. i absolutely love your heart Callyn Honse.
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