Dear Study Abroad Experience,
You suck but are also equally awesome. I must say, you were not what I was expecting at all, and since I'm almost done with you, I wish I would have known what I was getting myself into at the start of this experience. When they told us we would need at least one thousand dollars per semester to survive, I didn't believe them because we don't need that much at home. Boy was I wrong, you have cost me a very pretty penny. I also wish the universe would have told me that you would be the only time in my life, thus far, to have my phone stolen, and not only once, but twice! I am thoroughly ready to be done with you, sorry, but not sorry.
I am thankful to you, however, because of the good things that you have given me. You have allowed me to do something I never thought of doing, nor did I have the desire to do, and that is travel the world. You have given me a fire in my belly, a desire to see more of the world and know more than I ever thought possible. You have also allowed me to meet some great friends here in Italy; it has been a long semester and during this time I have established friendships with locals that I wasn't sure would happen when I first arrived. I have been given a legit nickname, something that wasn't accomplished before, and you did that. You have afforded me the ability to say I lived in Europe, I know how life is elsewhere, I struggled and ocean and four months away from home, and came back successfully. I was able to see things that I only ever saw on TV; needless to say, I definitely one-upped Lizzie Maguire while I was experiencing all that you gave me.
A couple of weeks ago I was dying to come home, more than ready, actually. But as I write this letter to you, I know that I will miss you greatly, and will probably have to try you out again in the future. You definitely weren't what I was expecting, I didn't get to use you quite like how I wanted to, something I really regret, but just know, that I will be seeing you again soon, maybe with an upgraded and better version of yourself. I only say that because you have created an upgraded and better version of myself, and for that I am truly grateful.
I hope that others have the chance to experience you like I did because no matter how much you sucked (and trust me, you sucked exponentially) you are something that I could never regret or despise or hate or, most importantly, forget. I love you because of the people you allowed me to meet, the things you allowed me to see, and the experiences you allowed me to have; because of you I have evolved (like a freaking Pokemon) and I wouldn't change it for the world. Well, that's kind of a lie, I would have liked to keep my phones.
Sincerely,
A grateful, and now saddened Tash
