In just three weeks I will be traveling to six different Italian cities and several world-famous historical landmarks with my college. This is a trip I've been signed up for February of last year. It's been over 14 months of anticipating and preparing. When I signed up, the trip seemed like a lifetime away. Now, it's just days away. There are so many reasons I'm excited, but some reasons are so exciting that I am losing sleep.

For one, I've never experienced another culture. I have spent most of my life in the tri-state area and the only times I've ever traveled beyond that was went I went to Florida and Canada, which were both very similar to my hometown. I am excited to experience how other people in the world live and to try their food, hear their language and live their lives for 10 days. Another aspect I'm really excited about is the fact that I paid off my trip all by myself. This is something I'm very proud of. When I first found out about the trip, I did calculations to figure out if I would be able to afford it. When I found out I could, I worked hard. There were days I would stand at work, tired and anxious, but I would silently remind myself that I am doing this for Italy and I would get through the day. I'm also really excited to see the place that my dad's side of the family originates from. Sadly, I won't get to spend any time in Naples, but I will be driving through it and that's just as great. I'm excited to see the world famous landmarks like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Statue of David, the Colosseum, the Sistine Chapel and so much more. Imagine being able to see buildings and works of art that were created hundreds or even thousands of years ago. One last thing I am super excited about is the fact that I will be getting a break from my everyday life of school and work and spending almost two weeks in a new world: learning, experiencing, and having adventures I may never experience again.

Italy has always been my dream destination and it has not quite hit me yet that all this talk is real; maybe it won't hit me until I actually get into the country. Either way, I am so glad I am giving myself this opportunity and I cannot wait to experience the trip of a lifetime.