We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.

There's a reason why people who have studied abroad can't stop talking about their experiences. As cliché as this is, studying abroad truly is life changing. Comparing myself from who I was before I left, to who I am now, just wouldn't be fair. To me, it feels like two entirely different people. Now, after being back home for a month I'm able to see how I've changed more clearly, and I'm still growing from my experiences every day. I look at life differently than I used to. I've learned to have the patience for what I can't change and to show appreciation for all that I have. Living in another country at 19 years old, opened my eyes to how amazing this world really is. Studying abroad helped me find myself when I didn't even know I was lost.

"To travel is to live." - Han Christain Anderson

There's nothing more freeing than adventure, and that's the best word to describe my life during my semester abroad. One big adventure. Whether it was navigating shortcuts through the streets of Florence to get to class on time, or traveling to different countries almost every weekend, it seemed like every time I stepped outside of my apartment a new, fabulous adventure waited for me. They say it's not about the destination but the journey, and though I disagree when it came to the painfully long and uncomfortable bus rides I endured to visit different countries, I must say overall when I look back so many of my favorite moments happened somewhere along the way.

Since living in Italy and having the opportunity to travel to more countries than I ever dreamed imaginable, I have gained such a respect and deeper understanding of other countries and their cultures.

But, I have also come to love and appreciate the United States more than ever before. Living in Florence felt like I went back in time, with her cobblestone streets and unreliable internet connections, serving as a constant reminder that I wasn't in America anymore. These sorts of drawbacks were what really allowed me to immerse myself in the Italian culture. I became very aware of my surroundings and I left feeling fulfilled with how I spent my time.

Now that I'm back I don't take things for granted as I know I did before, I am so thankful for the sacrifices my family has made for me, the education I have, and the protection our country provides for us. Europe and the United States are both amazing places to live, and though I can't say which one is better, I'm lucky to have experienced both.

"A journey is measured in friends, rather than miles" -Tim Cahill

So many of the people I met abroad are some of the best people I've ever met in my entire life. Being so far away from our friends and family brought everyone so close. We all shared the love of travel and the curiosity for different cultures. Everyone had their own story and though we all came from different parts of the world, we created friendships that will last a lifetime. Experiencing a new place with someone quickly changes you from strangers to friends, but helping them grow and find themselves just as you do, takes you from friends to family.

The night I said goodbye to Florence, and all the friends was so much harder than I ever could have imagined. I didn't want to leave. I was worried that this was it, that the best time of my life was over and that I would never be this happy again.

As I reflected on my semester I felt secure knowing that I had no regrets and no days were wasted. Every day really was a great day. Even so, I still wanted to stay, to continue living freely with the newfound confidence and independence I never had before, but then I realized that what I loved the most about being abroad is who I had become.

The memories I've made, knowledge I've gained, and friendships I've created are going to stay with me for the rest of my life. As for Florence, I can now say I have a second home in a beautiful city, where I grew immensely and lived my dreams.

So it's ciao for now, but not forever.