What Made You Want To Study Abroad- March 12th 2014. A Helpful Reminder

March 12^th: “What made you want to study abroad?”

            Professor Kluver asked me why I wanted to study abroad. Under the spotlight I sounded like a politician running for office, "Hope & Change"! My response sounded great, but I didn’t truly answer the question. It was vague and meaningless. Why DID I want to study abroad??? I knew that I had wanted to since I was in seventh grade but unlike most, I made it a necessity, not an option. I applied to seven different colleges and their study abroad programs were a major part of my deciding factor. It wasn’t until I started to write a letter to my parents that I was able to come up with an answer. I am confident in my values and beliefs but I never felt that I “belonged” anywhere. I wanted a sense of belonging that I had not found in the United States and I thought by traveling the world, I might. Instead I found something much greater. While being here I felt a sense of anxiety because of schoolwork, culture shock, and being away from my parents and friends. When I found out a few of my fellow students were going to have a bible study every Monday night I decided I would start going. It made me feel a sense of relief but it was not enough. So I began to pray more, then I began to read the Bible more. Through, worship, study, and prayer I was reminded of what I already knew but had forgotten. My belonging is in God. It does not matter where I am, or who I am with, I am always with Him. I never realized how distant my relationship became with Him when I was back at home. Sure I went to Breakaway and did some bible studies but that was really the only time I would reach out to Him and if it was not “convenient” I would just skip. I was too preoccupied with my plans to learn His plans for me. Despite all of the deadlines, schedules, tasks, and duties in my busy life, nothing could ever be more convenient and comforting than being with Him. 

On Top of the World

March 9^th: On Top of the World

            Today I realized how much I appreciate the little things in life. My boyfriend and I have discussed how much we would like to expand our knowledge of the Bible. As an effort to do so we decided to read a chapter of Romans everyday and when possible discuss what we have read. The first thing I did when I got out of bed was pick up my notebook, pen, and Bible and began to read. Even though I had a quiz at the beginning of my class, after reading the Bible and reflecting on what I had read, I felt at ease. Grades are very important to me and cause me much stress because I like A’s and only A’s. Instead of going into my class feeling anxious, I felt that I knew everything I needed to know and it reflected in my grade. In the afternoon Mel, Kelsey and I decided to go for a jog. We have decided that we want to do a half marathon in Luca the day before we head back home and need to start training for it. At the beginning of our jog we felt worn out and were not sure how far we would be able to run but like Forrest Gump we just kept on running. The first couple of weeks we were here we had said we wanted to run to the castle but it was pretty far away and it never happened. Today, we did, we ran seven miles! Not only is the castle a far jog (for us anyways), but it is also at the top of a hill/mountain…whichever you would like to call it. It wasn’t an easy jog to the top but once we got there we had a hard time leaving. It overlooked the city and for a moment I felt I was on top of the world. Nothing could touch me, nothing could ruin this moment for me. In that moment I felt God fully embracing me. 

March 6th: A simple getaway

We got Friday off this week and many people were planning on traveling. I wanted to take full advantage of our 3-day weekend but I have been exhausted from all the traveling I have done. Mel, Jessie and I decided to make a simple trip to Verona. When we got there we walked to our “hostel” which ended up being an apartment. I loved feeling like we were in more of a house setting for once. Then we went out to explore. We shopped until we dropped. I am not a spender and I usually do not like shopping but this time it was actually very therapeutic. I got some shoes, a jacket, and a romper. It wasn’t until we were done that we realized we did not look at any of the tourist places we planned on seeing so we decided instead to wait to see them the next day. We planned on going out to the college bars but fell asleep around 11 p.m., 4p.m. back home and slept in till ten the next morning. It was the most sleep I have gotten in a long time. We got up, packed and went to see Juliet’s wall and a bridge someone recommended we see before leaving. Honestly, Juliet’s wall was nothing like I imagined but it was still pretty neat. It was the simplest trip but it was exactly what I needed to put myself at ease.  

Juliet's Wall

Dancing The Night Away in Sorrento

February 28th: Sorrento

We nearly screamed when we saw the water during our approach. I forgot the ocean exists here! Once we walked the ten-minute hike from the train station to our hostel we were even more pleased by the cleanliness of our hostel! It was actually nicer than many of the hotels my dad usually books back at home and it was only 32 Euros. After taking off the 50 pound backpacks we went to a seafood restaurant recommended by the people at the counter. If you ever decide to order shrimp in Italy note this: 1. The shrimp are TINY. 2. You take off the heads but eat everything else. I did not know this and I was trying to peel off all the skin when the owner approached me and told me to eat everything but the head. After looking at my expression he was kind enough to bring me some free calamari. Finally good customer service! He also gave us free samples of desserts and brought out a bottle of some sort of chocolate liquor for us to have. After gaining 25 pounds we walked to the American bar and started dancing like fools. We were the only ones there and for the first ten minutes we were singing(screaming) and dancing(mocking the dances in music videos), and no one had purchased a thing. You could tell the people behind the counter were not fond of us by the annoyed/dissatisfied look on their faces. It wasn’t until three eighteen year old Italian boys came in and kept trying to dance with us that we decided to leave. We were having too much fun dancing to stop though and we asked a cute Italian couple where to go next. Through charades we were able to communicate and they told us about a fancy club we should go to but weren’t sure if we would be able to get in with our apparel (yoga pants, running shoes and t-shirts). There were two men in suits at the door who asked if we were on "the list." Of course we weren't, but they let us in anyways. I believe it was because no one was there yet. We tore up that dance floor until people began to arrive. Everyone that showed up was wearing dresses, slacks or something of the sort and then there was us… None of us cared and we continued to dance in the midst of everyone and people just stared. After a while a few people joined us on the dance floor but at one point I realized it was just Nikki and me. Instead of stopping I ran and got a couple of guys that were watching and brought them on the dance floor. Within a couple of minutes a flood of people joined. When it was time to finally leave we were flattered by a few Italian guys that told us it was more fun with us there and that we were good dancers…never heard that one before! It was the most fun I have had here. I ate like a pig and danced like a fool. No complaints from this girl!

Is it Ruined?

February 28th: Pompeii

To finish our long weekend we decided to head to the ruins of Pompeii and then go to the beautiful coast in Sorrento. I never imagined how big Pompeii was. We walked around a lot of the city but were not too sure what we were looking at because we didn’t have a tour guide. I did learn however that in every house they had a hole in the center of the ceiling for ventilation and other reasons I didn’t really understand, but under the hole there was some kind of contraption that would drain out the water if it rained. Imagine having that in the middle of your house! We also saw an arena that I assume was used for some sort of competition and a small building with sexual images inside like a menu that people could choose from and “practice” in the rooms that were provided. The beds were made of stone and it looked as if it was in an alley. It was obviously something to be ashamed of. On a different note, there was more preserved than I had expected and I felt as if I were walking the streets near the time the catastrophe occurred.

Am I Catholic?

February 27th: Did I just convert to Catholicism? The Vatican

I am not Catholic. I do not know anything about Catholicism although I wish I did but let me tell you, being Catholic is not necessary to appreciate the Vatican. I wish I could describe how captivating the artwork is but there are neither words nor pictures that can. You need to go yourself. Our tour was 4 ½ hours long and I felt I was only able to see a fraction of the things there. Apparently, in order to see everything it would take 12 years, that is what our tour guide said anyways. I loved looking at all the artist's works. We heard about Michelangelo, Rafael, and DiVinci’s artwork in my last class but actually seeing it was a completely different experience. The artwork depicted biblical stories and different historical events. It was mind-boggling. I was surprised that in the Sistine Chapel you are not allowed to talk or take pictures. I was happy that people could not talk because it allowed me to stare at the ceiling and walls and fully embrace what I was seeing in peace. Add going to the Sistine Chapel to your bucket list. You will thank me later. While I was there I got a rosary for my dad. I was hoping the Pope could bless it but since I could not be blessed by his presence I got a priest who works directly with the Pope to do so -- at the Vatican! I thought it was pretty neat. (:

Those Damn Americans

February 26th: The Colosseum

It was time to see the Colosseum and everyone was more than excited to see this historical place! Once we entered we could not stop looking around and taking pictures of ourselves in front of everything. So much history is here! I am not a big fan of selfies but I realized on this trip I have taken more than I ever thought I would. Going to places like the Colosseum does not happen everyday and if I did not capture the moment it would have felt as if it were just a dream. We are so lucky to get to see, feel and experience all the history this place has to offer.

Rome

February 25th: Do as the Romans do

Spending three days in Rome was the perfect break after our final. I ended up making an 87 in my class but I suppose that is okay. Riding on the bus to our hotel I was a little nervous because of the graffiti and torn down buildings that surrounded us. I was thinking that Rome was overrated, boy was I wrong. When entering Rome it turned from shab to chic. Each building, old or new was exquisite. They truly take care of the city. I can understand why the Roman Empire lasted so long. We went to the square and saw a young man in a superman onesie making HUGE bubbles! It was fascinating watching the bubbles floating gracefully creating excitement for people of all ages. We were screaming and cheering (trying to blend in). Then the young man asked if I would like to try. I tried but could not master his technique. The rest of the day we toured the city and different cathedrals but nothing seemed quite as beautiful as the simplicity of the bubbles in the square and the excitement and childish play in such a magnificent place.

400 Level Classes Abroad?

February 23^rd: The Reality of Study Abroad

Before studying abroad I was told by almost everyone, while you are there it is an easy 4.0. Although this may have been true with their experience, mine has been a little different. I have learned a lot of information in a very short period of time. Within two weeks, I read an entire textbook, and filled my entire notebook with lecture notes.  We had a quizz every morning over our readings and past lecture. Everyday we had at least three hours in the classroom, if not more and then had reading and studying on top of that. For all of you who think our classes here are as easy and breezy as Covergirl your WRONG! 

Come To Cortona

February20th: Come to Cortona

Today was the perfect day! After class I went outside and wrote in my journal under the Tuscan sun. Then we all loaded onto a bus to Cortona where the film, Under the Tuscan Sun was filmed. It is by far my favorite place in Italy! It’s similar to Castig but a little larger and on a higher hill. Our tour guide gave us a quick history of the town and told us about Saint Margaret whose body we were able to see in one of their churches. It was a little strange in my opinion but you could tell she was very important to the people living in the city.  At the end of the tour I was able to talk to our tour guide and I felt I really connected with her. She was so kind and gave me two hugs before leaving. It was very comforting. We had an hour to search the town on our own before the bus came back. It wasn’t much time to explore but we had the greatest coffee and met several Americans that go to school in Georgia but who are studying in Cortona. We exchanged numbers and decided we would go back to Cortona and hang out with each other. I am looking forward to spending time with some fellow Americans! On the bus ride back everyone started singing together. It didn’t sound too well but it made me happy to see the relationship we have built. I love each and every one of these people. Everyone is so different but so beautiful. I can’t wait to see what our relationship is like by the end of this trip.

Hebrews

February 16^th: Bible Study

Hebrews 6: 7-8

            Soak up God’s words, lean on him and pray to him because he will help you grow. He is providing you with love. If you do not take his love you are wasting it.

Hebrews 6:10

            God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

When you love God, lean on Him, trust in Him, and pray to Him you are not doing so only for yourself, but for all of His children. He will see this love and will be glorified by it. God does not forget the love that is shown to Him. He knows your love, He knows when you are lost, and He will not give up on you. If you need Him reach out to Him and He will lead you the way.

Walking With the Strays

February 14^th: Athens Again!

            We went on a tour of Athens, recommended by our hostel, and made two new friends, Koen from Holland and Jeremiah from Colorado. Our tour took an unexpected turn when we learned that an undercover cop was following us.  It turned out that our tour guide was giving tours illegally. Our illegal tour guide quickly ditched us so we decided to figure it out on our own. We went to the market, ate an amazing lunch followed by authentic Greek yogurt and then went to Acropolis. We took a million pictures that I’m sure Jeremiah and Koen loved! Being around Koen and Jeremiah made me feel safer and I noticed Jeremiah, although quiet, was very protective of us. I really hope they accomplish what they need to on their lone journeys.

            We went on a bar crawl with T-dawg(Thomas) who showed us the neatest bars. The first one had an art gallery and the second was Mexican themed. It was too crowded for us to stay but someone heard Thomas telling us all to go upstairs. All eleven of us went only to find two bathrooms. Everyone at the bar busted into laughter and we did too.

            Overall, Athens was a good place to visit. It had its ups and downs but we were able to see a big part of history and meet two sweet men along the way. Before we left Koen walked with us to the train. It was really hard to say goodbye to our new friend but it was time to return to our safe, comfortable home in Castig.

Hanging with Rita!

Picture with Koen and Jeremiah

Bar Crawl