Out of my comfort zone in the best way

Studying abroad was truly an unbelievable experience, and even now as I sit at home writing this testimonial, it still feels surreal. It is hard to believe how many places I was able to travel to and how many different cultures I experienced in such a short amount of time. I spent most of my semester living in Rome, Italy, and it is impossible to fully understand the beauty and energy of the city until you actually step foot there.

Spending nearly four months immersed in Italian culture allowed me to see the city beyond just a tourist’s perspective, from walking past ancient ruins on my way to class to getting lost in side streets that quickly made Rome feel like home. One of the things I miss the most is waking up every morning and grabbing a coffee on my walk to class, a simple routine that made everyday life feel special. 

Traveling outside of Italy was just as memorable, especially my trip to Munich, Germany, which was one of my first stops in Europe. Attending Oktoberfest was a once in a lifetime experience, and meeting college students from different universities made it even better. 

My favorite place by far was London, where my mom was able to meet me during fall break after I had been away from home for so long. Being able to spend time with family meant a lot to me and made the trip even more meaningful. While I was there, I finally got to attend an English soccer match and watch my favorite club, Chelsea, play at Stamford Bridge, which had always been a goal of mine. 

Overall, studying abroad taught me that there are so many opportunities in the world waiting to be taken, and it pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way. It showed me that I should not settle for something that feels just okay but instead go after experiences and opportunities that truly excite me.

• Name: James Parker
• Status: Junior
• Major: Finance
• Hometown: Westland, Michigan
• Program: American University of Rome