Day
1: “A Temporary Dose of Homesickness”
I arrived in Castiglion Fiorentino
Tuesday, February 3rd around 11 p.m. The beauty of the small city illuminated
through the darkness and rain surrounding us as we stepped off the bus.
Exhausted from the 14 hours of travel, all I could think about was food and
sleep. After eating a small bowl of pasta in the dining hall my two roommates
and I were introduced to our small room we would be sleeping in for the next
three months in this foreign land. The small beds, although not particularly
comfortable, seemed like a dream come true! Instead of sleeping (like I had
wanted), I began to unpack and found a letter from my dad. I read the letter
silently to myself as both my roommates were unpacking beside me and in that moment
a tidal wave of emotions hit me. What
was I doing in Italy?? Why would I want to leave the people I love most?? I
swiftly walked out of the room and into the hallway trying to collect my thoughts
and hide the tears forming. Immediately I felt the need to talk to my parents
but my phone would not connect to Wi-Fi. I began to PANIC!!! I anxiously paced
through different hallways until finally, I was able to get a good connection.
I first talked to my mom, then my dad. They asked me a series of questions and
I tried to maintain a good, cheerful mood even though they both could hear a
shimmer in my voice (I blamed it on the static). I had one last call to make to
my boyfriend Josh but within seconds of hearing his voice the tears gushed out.
He patiently calmed me down with full understanding and as I continued walking
around I saw the silhouette of the mountains in my new “backyard.” Looking off
into the distant darkness I realized I needed to broaden my horizons and
suddenly I knew, in this moment of my life, I’m exactly where I need to be.
Many of the classes I’ve had in
College Station taught me that the first step of culture shock is excitement. I
felt that before I left, but at my arrival I felt I went into a black hole
where time stood still, and everyone at home’s clock was still in motion. Italy
is by far the most beautiful place I have ever been. Cobblestone roads winding
up and down the rolling hills, mountains afar, ancient architecture and
fascinating sunsets. There is a lot of history here and you feel as if you are
part of it. I’m beginning to fall in love with it here, and besides being in
the classroom; I’m having the time of my life! There are still days when the
Wi-Fi isn’t working well and I feel time is standing still. I sometimes worry that
when I return home everyone will have changed and I won’t feel a sense of belonging.
That’s what happens when something you had hoped and dreamed of for years
finally comes to life. Not only do you begin to worry that it won’t be everything
that you had dreamt but also question: what next?
Until
next time,
Victoria
<3
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