Bio: Hi! I am a junior from northern New Jersey, majoring in psychology at the University of Maryland. I love to learn about improving personal happiness/wellness, and I hope to pursue a graduate degree in a related field following graduation!

Most memorable experience:

Hiking in the mountains of Tuscany was a day I will never forget! As much as I appreciate all of the history and culture in Florence, here and there, I have missed spending time in nature. This inspired my roommates to explore the trails of Fiesole. We began at Cave di Maiano and continued until we reached Piazzale Leonardo,  also known as the place that inspired Leonardo DaVinci’s invention of the “Great Kite.” Although this hike was more challenging than anticipated, the hard work made the views over Florence so satisfying! We stopped at a local gelateria in Fiesole on the walk back to Florence, which was the cherry on top of an amazing adventure!

Advice for coming students:

Make the most of each day when you are abroad! With all of the excitement, time flies by so quickly. It’s so important to be intentional about how you spend your time abroad. Try to focus on getting enough sleep and taking care of your physical/mental to give yourself the energy to do as many things as possible. Spend more time exploring new areas of the city, talking to new people, trying new foods, learning more, or doing whatever it is that you like to do! Obviously, you are human, and everyone needs to take breaks at times. Just keep in mind that your time is precious, and you get to choose how you spend it!