Dear friends around the world,

It has been awhile since we've lived in the same place. It's funny that we only got one short year with each other because somehow, I feel as if we have been friends our entire lives. You all played a huge role in the best year of my life and there will never be enough words to describe what your friendship means to me, but I will do my best. Whether you're in different states around the United States, Canada, Germany, or Italy, I have a few things I want you to know.

You made Italy feel like home.

I may not have known the street names or the best way to get to school in under five minutes but it felt like I had lived there my whole life. Whether you were from the town or just another exchange student like myself, you made the little streets come to life.

You taught me how to laugh at my mistakes.

I still cannot pronounce "Chocolate Chip" in Italian, but you made sure I knew that it was okay. I never felt stupid when I acted totally foreign because no matter if you were Italian or not, you did it with me.

You taught me how valuable friendship is.

Even if I don't get to see you every day anymore, I know that you will always play a huge role in my life. It takes an incredible person to accept a stranger, but you all did, in an incredible way.

You taught me about the world.

I spent the year in Italy, but I learned so much more than just Italian culture. I know weird phrases in German, curse words in French, and how to imitate a Minnesotan accent to a T. I also know how Italians view world history and exactly why family is so important in so many countries. You all taught me some pretty great things.

You gave me unforgettable memories.

I look back on the pictures and remember how great those moments were. You wanted me to remember my year just as much as you wanted to remember your own and you made sure that every moment was unforgettable. Cartwheeling across the beach and trying on hats in London are the memories I will never forget and it was thanks to you all.

I miss you.

There isn't a day where I don't stop to think about how you all are doing. Whether we talk or not I wonder where you are at and if you got everything you wanted out of life. I check up on social media and hope one day to somehow end up in the same town as you.

You picked me up when I was down.

Going abroad is extremely challenging at times. Holidays are hard and at some points all I wanted to do is hop back on a plane and go home. You guys are one of the biggest reasons I stayed. When I had a tough day I knew I could count on you to make it better. You made me stronger.

You changed my life.

My world has opened up in ways I never thought possible and I can only assume it is because of you. You made every moment count while we lived in Italy and showed me that there is more to life than a small town in Kansas. I feel fortunate to have known so many people who impacted my life and if I could put in to words just how much that meant to me, I would.

Thank you for everything you gave me in those 10 months. Thank you for the laughs and the pictures. Thank you for making my year abroad mean more than just learning a language and eating good food. I am truly blessed to have met you.

With much love from thousands of miles away,

Your Foreign Friend