Words can not begin to describe the beauty that is Italy, as well as to describe how amazing the food tastes, especially in Bologna. I have been in Italy for almost two months now and all I can think about is how will I ever be able to eat in the caf again? Besides the food being wonderful, the city of Bologna is entirely something else. Bologna is a city full of art, history, culture, and the oldest university in the world.

Everyday when I wake up, I am able to look out my window onto one of the busiest streets in Bologna, Via dell’Indipendenza, which also happens to be the best street for shopping in the city. Living only three minutes away from the Dickinson Center in Bologna, I haven’t had the opportunity to truly explore all that my new city has to offer. However, with each week I discover more beautiful buildings, hidden side streets, and restaurants I want to try before leaving in December.

Prior to arriving in Bologna, I studied abroad for three and half weeks in Lecce located in Puglia, which is in the southern part of Italy. Being an Italian minor, I was in Lecce for Dickinson’s language immersion program before coming to Bologna, to brush up on my Italian and work on my tan. I found it to be a truly amazing experience, as I was able to see my Italian improve so quickly after being immersed into the Italian culture, and living the Italian way.

One of my favorite moments of being abroad so far, was my previous weekend in Rome. Myself, along with three other friends planned a last minute trip to Rome, which included not one but two visits to the Vatican (because we learned that the Pope was giving a blessing that Sunday at noon). For me, being able to see Pope Francis speak in person, but also being able to understand his message of love, hope and peace in Italian, is something I will never forget.

I have always said that Italy is my favorite country, because in my eyes there is truly no other country like it. The people treat you like family without even knowing you, the food is made by hand with love, the history is rich and full of endless knowledge and the culture is preserved with an undying pride by its people. I have had the honor to be welcomed into Italy with open arms and receive all that it has to offer and because of that I know I will come away enriched from my time abroad, for the rest of my life.