Ciao Bella

The time has come to say good-bye. We have spent an incredible month in the beautiful country of Italy. We visited ten cities, took countless train and bus rides, walked more than ever, and ate our weight in pasta and pizza. This month has been full of memories and new friendships. We are a random group of people with our quirks and differences, but our trip would not have been interesting otherwise.

Even though at the beginning I didn't like our apartment, it has become home in Siena. Siena has been the perfect place to call home for the past month. In the beginning, it was daunting to wander the winding medieval streets in hopes of getting where you wanted to go. A month later, I have gotten to know this city all too well. We have our favorite restaurants, where the cheapest pizza, the best Chinese and kebab places are and of course the best gelato depending on what flavor you're looking for. We traveled on our own to many different towns, navigating the trains, the buses, maps and cities without getting too lost.

Of course this was a STUDY abroad trip so there was an academic component to the trip as well. The classes were interesting and thought provoking.  As we contemplated philosophy and Boethius while looking out over the Tuscan countryside or discussed St. Catherine on the grass outside her basilica, Marcus Arelius over a cappuccino, Iris Origo while driving though Val d'Orcia and the Renaissance at the Fortezza we got to know our professors on both an academic and personal level.  

It is bittersweet to say goodbye, it's been an beautiful adventure. This month has been fantastic and I couldn't have asked for a better way to finish my undergraduate career! I'd like to hope this will not be the last time I'm in Italy, so until next time Italia, Ciao!