ITALY : Reflection

It’s the last day to enter the GIVEAWAY!

Italy Related Posts : Introduction // Verona // Venice // Ravenna // Florence // Rome Day One // Rome Day Two

After six posts filled with pictures of Italy, my mini-series is over and all the pictures (this is a lie ... I probable have 500 more I could share ...) have been shared. I’m so glad that I got to share this experience with you!

I think that the best part about this trip is the everlasting memories I made with 28 other students from a department that I am so lucky to be a part of. It’s such an honor to go to a school where I do something I love everyday - even though some days are really tough. (SOA just got ranked #3 in the state, after Governor’s School!) I don’t think I could ask for a better experience. Honestly, I just can't put it into words. If my sophomore year is my last year at SOA, and I do end up going to the Governor's school for my junior and senior year, what an amazing trip to have in my memory with the department I spent 5 years in. I can't wait to see where the Department goes in the next few years.

With this all being said, it's no question this trip was memorable.

And I’ll never forget …

walking down the roads in Rome with Jamie, laughing about how I had lipstick all over my face because of the swatches I made while at Sephora a few minutes earlier

staying up way too late, laughing so hard my stomach hurt

getting gelato almost every night

that fun Zumba “party” on the walk to the bus

tasting my first Italian pizza

performing outside the Colosseum, at the Pantheon, in the streets of Venice, and more

spending my first Euro

getting locked on the balcony by my friends (shoutout to Kellen and Mariah) in Florence

throwing one too many coins into the Trevi Fountain

running around Rome in the rain, trying to find our restaurant

seeing my friend tear up as we said goodbye to our tour guide on the way home

coming up with plans on how we could stay longer

walking around Venice in my choral dress and seeing the Italians stare

...

After experiencing Europe, I know that I have to go back. There was so much about it that we just weren’t able to experience and I want to go back and be even more submerged into their culture and way of life. I just want to go back.

If you ever get the chance or are offered a chance to go overseas, take the offer and go. It’s worth the money you’ll spend and the time you’ll prepare getting ready for it. You may second guess yourself - but trust me, you’ll never regret it.

And even if you don’t ever get the chance - you can still make unforgettable memories on unforgettable trips with your best friends.

Travel and have fun.

xoxo