The past three months have been the best of my life. They have blessed me with memories and friends I will never forget. Each day presents a new adventure and every moment seems better than the last. I have grown leaps and bounds as a person while abroad. I have explored new cultures, met unfamiliar people, and embraced the unknown. For this, I am so grateful, and have three people/things to thank for this.

The first people I have to thank, above all else, are my parents. My parents have supported every decision I’ve made, and made it possible for me to spend four months studying in Florence and traveling the world. Secondly, I’d like to thank UConn. The University of Connecticut has provided me with the resources and skills to study abroad. Every day I am proud to call myself a Husky, even if no one in Florence knows what that means. The last person I have to thank is myself. Deciding to study abroad wasn’t an easy decision. It meant separating myself from my family, and a culture I had grown up with for twenty years. It was a maze of uncertainty, and I am thankful I had the courage to embrace it.

Authors: Scott Jones, Jackie Battaglia, Elizabeth Dana (UConn)