I had my mind made up before I even started college: studying abroad was definitely not on my list of undergraduate interests. I was already set to attend school 2,000 miles away from home for the next four years. That's close enough to going abroad, right?

Wrong.

Initially, my decision to study abroad stemmed from a rough first year experience. Transitioning from high school to college came with a lot of unknown challenges that drove me to my lowest point in life and forced me to question if I had chosen the right school. I was feeling ready to give up. Although I didn't have the freshman year I was expecting, I wanted to take advantage of every opportunity Loyola had to offer before potentially leaving. With a bit of trepidation, I signed my name, submitted my deposit, and set off for a four month adventure in Rome, Italy.

I spent the plane ride across the pond wondering about what the upcoming semester would be like. I was expecting to learn a little Italian, take cheesy photos in front of the Colosseum and eat enough gelato to clog my arteries. I managed to accomplish all of those things, but my time abroad changed me in ways that I never saw coming.

Experiential learning takes on a whole new meaning when you find yourself lost in the streets of a foreign city. History can be found at every corner in the form of ancient ruins from the Roman Empire or old churches with breathtaking frescoes covering the ceilings. Each new city opened my eyes to the unique practices and traditions (and of course, the foods) of another new culture.

Perhaps the most profound memories I have involve the new friends I made along my journey. Long bus rides turned into road trip sing-alongs as we shared our most exciting moments in various parts of Europe (often times with a glass of wine in hand). I never wanted the three-hour long dinners filled with laughter and good company to end. After struggling for a year to find people I truly connected with, I ended up meeting some of the best friends I've ever known and hopefully will continue to know for the rest of my life.

I brought a lot more than a few souvenirs home with me. Upon touching down in the United States at the start of summer, a new me was ready to take on the rest of college and the rest of life. Maybe it came from booking my own flights and hotels for every weekend trip. Maybe it was after risking my safety to visit the latest ISIS-targeted cities. Or maybe it was simply from leaving the country on my own for the first time. I have changed for the better.

Here's a final word of advice from someone who previously never had the travel bug: If you have even the slightest bit of curiosity about studying abroad, go. Take a chance while you have this opportunity. You will grow from the experience, and you may fall in love with a place you can call your second home. Otherwise, you may find yourself wondering for the rest of your life.