From the beginning to the unexpected end: My Journey Abroad
January 28, 2020: “I’m currently sitting on the plane watching Eat, Pray, Love to make myself excited to land in Italy. Yes I am very excited but not gonna lie, I spent the entire time in the airport bawling my eyes out and drinking wine to ease the anxiety. I had to say bye to my parents for 4 months, but in reality they’re coming to Italy in a month and then London another month after that. I am so eager to see how these four months will play out. Will it be the experience of a lifetime or will I regret my decision to leave home and campus? My personality is a split line of independence and being a homebody so for me; this mix of emotions is just way too much to deal with. They’re both battling for which one can dominate me. I guess we’ll see after these four months…”
–a note I wrote the moment I left for the journey of a lifetime. March 28, 2020:
I am currently sitting in my bed in Oceanport, New Jersey sobbing writing this as I reflect on what will always be the best month of my life. So long story short, this little thing called the Coronavirus crashed a major party called life. As a result, my time in Florence was cut way too short. Despite the heartbreak I felt of having to leave my study abroad experience three months early, I am so grateful for the unimaginable month I was given, so here is how that month went:
I can easily say that the independent side of my personality dominated the minute I stepped off the plane and was surrounded by all of my friends and fellow Fairfield students. That anxiety I was feeling was instantly lifted and replaced with a feeling of excitement that I have never experienced before.
The minute we stepped into Florence, I knew I was in for the adventure of a lifetime. This adventure started with having to carry two 90lb suitcases up nine flights of stairs to my apartment. After finally carrying all of my bags up, I arrived at my apartment and was greeted by my best friends. Our apartment was located on the best street in Flo, Via Ghibellina or Ghibby as we called it. Ghibby was located in the center of Santa Croce, a five minute walk from the Duomo, a ten minute walk from the Ponte Vecchio and all of the bars/clubs, and on top of the best panini shop in Florence. I loved my little Italian apartment.
For the first time in my life, I was actually excited to go to school. Florence is a city with an immense and deep culture that enriches the city and is embedded throughout the streets and the locals who walk within them. Our classes exposed us on a personal level to this culture. I was gaining first hand marketing experience from a Florentine leather shop and the family that ran it. I learned first hand about fashion history from iconic Italian fashion designer brands such as Gucci and Dolce Gabbana. I walked the same streets as Dante Allegheri while learning about him and his life for my literature class. Everyday I woke up eager to go to class. These classes gave us an education that no textbook could ever give us.
Everyday was a new adventure whether it was exploring a new street, finding a new restaurant, ordering a new pasta that you end up swearing is the best pasta you have ever tasted in your entire life, or traveling to a new country on the weekend. Every night would start with a jug of wine with some music and end in a crowded nightclub dancing with your friends having the time of your life. One of my favorite things we would do was a family style dinner at a little restaurant on Ghibby with bottomless wine. This became a tradition amongst a group of about 20 of us. Every week we had to have our family dinner at Il Teatro. Living in Italy with your best friends is a party 24/7.The most exciting thing about abroad is getting to travel to new countries on the weekends. Luckily, I was able to travel to two different countries during my time: Switzerland and Amsterdam. These two countries I probably would not have traveled to if it wasn’t for abroad, but wow I am thankful I did. Switzerland is a place I could have only dreamed about. Everywhere you looked seemed as if it was a painting. The scenery of the mountains and the pure blue water will be one of the most beautiful sights I will probably ever see. We spent the days adventuring and the nights in pubs. All I will say about Amsterdam is what happens in Amsterdam, stays in Amsterdam…. My favorite memory of my time abroad was my last weekend. It could not have been more perfect, it was almost like it was meant to be. It was a beautiful, sunny and warm Saturday spent in the Tuscan countryside on a wine tour. I just remember the Italian music blasting as we drove through the most beautiful scenic routes to the vineyards. 19 glasses and countless bottles later, I can easily say this was my favorite weekend and the most perfect way to say goodbye to my favorite city. When I was on the plane to Italy, I never would’ve thought that this would be the experience I was going to have. At 11pm on February 25th, we were told our study abroad program was cancelled and we had to come home to the US for the remainder of the semester. A wave of emotions hit me. At this time, the virus was still very new, so we were furious that we had to leave.
When I was on the plane heading home from Italy, I never would have imagined this virus to become what it has. The biggest takeaway from this entire experience for me is to never take life for granted because it can shift in the blink of an eye. It is crazy how much your life can change in one month. I am officially one of those people who went abroad and it ~totally changed their life~. As heartbroken as I am, the happy moments that I had and the experience I was given allows me to reflect on this time as a gift rather than something that was taken away from me. There was not one night that was not filled with laughter and memories that will last a lifetime. The friendships that were made are something I will cherish forever and the lessons I was fortunate enough to receive I will always carry with me.
Grazie and ciao, until we meet again Florence. You will always have a piece of my heart.
Xo, Kelsey
PS:To anyone who is reading this that has been affected by this virus in any way, I just want to say I am deeply sorry. If there is one thing we can all take away from this is to never take life and its precious moments for granted. It is so important to live in the moment and appreciate every second of life and those we share it with ❤️