Growth doesn’t happen when you stay comfortable

My experience abroad was truly life-changing in ways I never expected. In my first days in Rome, everything felt unfamiliar but exciting. I spent my mornings grabbing coffee, my afternoons walking through the city, and my nights getting gelato and talking with new people I met. I traveled to nine countries during my time abroad, and even when I didn’t speak the language, I learned how to figure things out. I missed trains, ordered the wrong food, and got lost more than once, but regardless, each moment taught me how capable and adaptable I really am.

On a personal level, I grew so much in just one semester. Being far from home pushed me outside my comfort zone and helped me gain confidence and independence. This experience taught me that growth doesn’t happen when you stay comfortable; it happens when you challenge yourself.

Being abroad helped my major in Human Development feel more real. I experienced these concepts daily in Italy through family relationships, social habits, and community life. I learned more about how society and surroundings affect growth throughout life by seeing how people value relationships, shared food, and time spent together. This experience made me even more sure that I want to work with and help people from different backgrounds, and it made me realize how important it is to be culturally aware, empathetic, and flexible in any job that involves working with people.

I met the most amazing people from all over the world and made friends that I know will last forever. One of the most important lessons I learned from Italian culture is how much people value living in the moment. Life doesn't feel as rushed anymore. Meals are meant to be enjoyed, conversations are important, and spending time with other people is a top priority. That mindset changed how I view my own daily life.

A meaningful part of my experience was volunteering for more than 15 hours within the local community of Trastevere. I helped prepare food for people experiencing homelessness, passed out breakfast in the mornings in a piazza, cleaned trash from my neighborhood, and spent time having conversations with native Italian speakers who wanted to practice their English. These moments were some of the most rewarding of my time abroad. They reminded me how strong simple human connections can be and gave me a chance to give back while learning from others.

I hope my story helps other students imagine themselves having a similar experience and see that studying abroad is really about growth, connection, and self-discovery.

• Name: Fili Walsh
• Status: Junior
• Major: Human Development and Family Studies
• Hometown: Park Ridge, Illinois
• Program: John Cabot University