Semester in Review

Studying abroad in Italy was one of the best decisions I have ever made. My Italian improved greatly, I made friends with people from all across the globe, and I have a new sense of independence. The things one learns from studying abroad are things that will remain forever. I am grateful I had this opportunity to explore another culture and other parts of the world. I encourage everyone to study abroad at some point in their life.

As many of you may know, I also had the opportunity to meet some of my extended family while in Italy. This in itself was a life changing experience. Knowing where my great-grandparents came from and how my family came to be was just incredible. Meeting the people and hearing the stories was so much more meaningful than reading it on a piece of paper. Being able to meet them and communicate with them was helpful as well and the last eight years studying Italian has definitely paid off!

I would like to continue blogging. Whether it’s here or on another blog, I will continue to keep all of my lovely readers up to date on my happenings. Grazie a voi! Thank you all! J  

Siamo in arrivo a...Castelpagano!

Anne and I have arrived in Castelpagano, Campania safely! We are checked into our hotel, Ca Del Re in Colle Sannita. We navigated the streets of Naples and Benevento and only slightly got off course ('getting lost' doesn't apply to this situation). Campania a beautiful region and I am excited to spend the next 4 days here, meeting my family and traveling with my mom. See you all in less than a week!!!

Dublin!

DUBLIN, IRELAND! Spending 2 days in Dublin was a) not enough time to fully experience Dublin and b) one of the most amazing experiences. Yes, I have said that everything has been an amazing experience, but Dublin tops them all. We met some amazing people from across the globe and I felt we really got to know them. It was a lot of fun in a beautiful city. Even the night before, which we spent in a hostel in Pisa, I toasted to my 20th birthday with someone from Egypt, Zimbabwe, Singapore, Germany, and India.

Shannon and I arrived on Tuesday May 1st to a soaking wet Dublin. After taking the bus for an hour on the wrong side of the road, we arrived at our hostel just in time for their free breakfast. We hung out at the hostel, making friends with a girl from Norther California, whom we ended up hanging out with both days and becoming good friends with her.

The three of us got lunch together at an Irish Pub. I got cottage pie, which is like shephard's pie but made with lamb and about 100x better! It was hearty and delicious and just what I wanted on a cold, rainy Irish day. Afterwards, we toured the Jameson Whiskey Distillery then saw The Hunger Games at the movie theatre. We all cooked dinner together and had a relativley early night in.

Wednesday May 2nd the sun was shining and we got up early, had breakfast, and hopped on a walking tour of Dublin. The guide, Kyle, was an Aussie with a head full of Irish knowledge. He covered Dublin/Ireland's history from Vikings to British rule to the Potatoe famine and where the country is today. The three and a half hour long tour took us to see things such as the Parliament building, The Spire, Molly Malone's Statue, St. Stephen's Garden, and Wolfe Tone's statue. It was a very enjoyable tour. A big group of us from the tour got lunch together at another Pub: Beef and Guinness Stew. GENIUS! Shannon, new friend Lauren and I did a bit of shopping, then went back to the hostel. A little later we went to a pub for some Irish music and dancing, which was awesome!

Dublin is a wonderful city filled with a rich history and beauty. I look foward to going back and spending more time in the city.