Transitioning back into the American culture after spending months abroad is no easy feat, but we all have to do it. I've found that watching familiar shows helps with the transition, so I've been watching "The Office," and in a weird way, it parallels completely with what we're all feeling during this time of extreme change.

1. Goodbyes are a lot harder than expected.

I didn't realize how tough it was going to be to say goodbye to people that I had only known for four months, but I cried more the last few days on campus than I have ever cried before. However, with new friends from other schools, that just gives us excuses to travel around and see everyone!

2. Coming back to America is not easy. At all.

It's not easy to move around, but coming back from somewhere so antiquated and beautiful to good old Indiana has been almost impossible. Physically and mentally, the transition is hard. It has taken me a while to get my grip back on American culture, but I'm getting there slowly but surely.

3. Giving people souvenirs will never not be awkward.

I really don't understand souvenirs, since I don't understand why someone would want a magnet from a county they haven't been to, but I digress. Giving people gifts and souvenirs is a standard procedure when you get back from any vacation, but after a four-month European excursion, there is a lot of gifts and lots of awkward exchanges.

4. No one understands the competitiveness of calcio (soccer).

Even though I was just a team mom, I got more into the JFRC soccer league than most people who actually played. Calcio was the greatest bonding experience of studying abroad, probably because it pitted us against each other and let us get out some sort of frustration throughout the weeks. Ariancione forever!!

5. Not being able to legally drink anymore sucks.

For the most part, most of my program was 19 or 20, hence we are not legally allowed to drink in the United States. In Europe, however, the legal drinking age is 18, so we got to go wild. Honestly, drinking copious amounts of alcohol got really old really fast, but not being able to drink a glass of wine at dinner here in Indiana has been a real bummer. Only fifteen months till legality here!!

6. As much as you don't want to accept it, the semester is over, and we have to go back to the real world.

It's almost impossible to come back to the United States after spending the most amazing four months in the most amazing place. However, it took me a while to realize that life is always going to move on, and we have to go with it.

Italy will always have my heart, John Felice Rome Center will always be my home, and the friends I've made while there will be with me forever, but I know that there is so much to look forward to in life. Grazie for an amazing semester, Roma. We'll all be back soon.