As I prepare to study abroad, I will take on a whole new meaning of independence that I have never experienced before. I will be in a different country without the guidance (and rules) from my parents. By being abroad, I hope to gain a sense of independence that will prepare me for adulthood even more than college has. Although I will only be abroad in Italy for a month, since it is a summer program, I plan on taking full advantage of this opportunity.
Here are some of the ways I will develop my independence.
1. Planning trips
When students study abroad, they often will travel on the weekends in order to see as much as possible. I plan on booking trips to various places such as a weekend at the Amalfi Coast, along with days trips to Venice and
Rome.
2. Immersing myself in the new culture around me
I would like to gain an understanding of
Italian culture and pick up on the language. Although I will only be there for a month, I want to immerse myself in the culture as much as I can. This means participating in the nightlife and seeing as many sights as I can.
3. Dealing with money
Not only is handling money a huge sign of growing up but also becoming acquainted with a whole new monetary source will be difficult. Instead of dealing with American dollars, I will adjust to using Euros.
4. Legally being able to drink alcohol under 21
Most other countries have a drinking age of 18 instead of 21. Bring on the wine!
5. Making friendships abroad
It would be cool to meet new people whether they are from Italy,
traveling or even other students participating in the same program. These new friendships could become important in developing a wider network.
6. Understanding new laws
While in other countries, it's important to remember that they have different laws than the United States. It's definitely time to brush up on Italian laws in order to adhere to their standards.
