I still can't believe that it has been one year since I set out on an adventure of a lifetime for four months. One year ago, I spent a semester in Rome, Italy. One year ago, I met amazing people that changed my life. One year ago, I was forced out of my comfort zone. Time really flies by. I am trying to wrap my head around how it was one year ago since I was casually walking the streets of Rome for dinner, throwing coins in the Trevi Fountain, and having class at the Colosseum.

Studying abroad was definitely the best thing that I have ever done in my life; however, it was not always easy. Being four months in a completely different country where I can't speak the language is definitely a challenge. I would be lying if I told you that I enjoyed every minute of my time. It was definitely hard being so far away from friends and family. Missing birthdays, football games, night outs, and different events. But this made me put life in perspective to start living in the present and not worrying about all the things that I was going to be missing out — and it started by being present in Italy. I was living the dream — Lizzie McGuire said it best, "This is what dreams are made of."

Zoe Wright

Rome, Italy is beyond breathtaking. It has so much to offer from museums, restaurants, and everything in between. Rome is filled with so much history. I really got to experience the Italian lifestyle.

Throughout my four months, I was able to travel to many different countries and cities. Traveling is one of my favorite things to do. I was truly blessed to be able to visit 11 different countries in those short months. Every place has so much to offer with a unique sense of culture.

I learned to navigate through the foreign streets, even if I didn't understand the language. It is truly amazing walking through the tiny streets of Rome.

Zoe Wright

The best thing is to get lost, you will end up finding something that you will never think about finding. One time a friend and I were just walking without an endpoint and we came across a beautiful Basilica. Those moments of just walking around and looking around put life in perspective. I would just love to walk around to see where I would end up. Flipping a coin to see if I would take a left or a right. Deciding to walk into this building and finding out so much history about Rome. Just really living life at the moment.

It was so easy to go on many adventures. One of the highlights was when a friend and I decided to go paragliding during finals week. So we took a train about an hour to then meet up with the instructor who luckily spoke English. After we met up with him we drove about another 45 minutes up a mountain. We were not really thinking twice about this situation, but we survived and just laughed about it. Also, I called my mother when I got back to my apartment because I knew that she would be worrying the whole time. Adventures like these were only what you can experience by being aboard.

I will never be able to eat pizza or gelato the same again. I have so many memories that I will cherish forever. I am forever thankful for my wonderful family for allowing me to study abroad in Rome. I still can't believe how it was a year ago that I left for this unforgettable trip.

Zoe Wright