The End Is Near!

Hi All,

I just got back from Rome a few hours ago. I decided to take one last weekend trip before school ended. I didn’t really want to take any more trips after November because I felt like the time left should be spent experiencing every single bit of Florence (and finals, but that’s no fun). I also wanted to spend some time with friends I will miss oh so very much. It’s funny to think about the great friends I have made here. I never thought I would get the opportunity to get to know people so well while on this trip, but traveling with someone or even just studying abroad in the same program bonds people (and yes I know that sounds cheesy, but it’s true). I already know that I might not see many of the friends I have made here for a while, but if we ever do meet up there will always be something that brings us back together, that joins us in a way, and that is this amazing experience.

Tomorrow marks the first day of my last month here. It hard to believe my time here in Florence is almost over. I really wish I could have just a few more months but I know soon it will be time to pack up and go. Fortunately, I will have a little extra time in Europe, even if it is not in the comfort of my temporary, yet very comfy apartment. My parents have decided to come visit my sister in London so I will meet them there and we will travel throughout the holidays. From there I will go straight back to Boston. They told me we might go to Brussels and Amsterdam, which got me excited because those are two places I wanted to go to while I was here, but didn’t get the chance. They also told me we might spend New Years in Paris, which made me even more excited. I think it will be a good way to say goodbye to the four months I have had here, and being with my family will make my departure a bit less painful.

I really cannot believe three months have already passed. My mind doesn’t feel it but my body definitely does. It’s funny because everyone always talks about how much you are going to learn and experience but no one ever tells you how tired you are going to be by the end of it. I’ve talked to a few people about it and they have all told me the same thing. The need to do as much as you can every day really takes a toll on you, but you just have to keep going. Now that I am so close to the end is not the time to focus on how tired I am, now is the time to do as much as I can before the time to leave comes. So, until then I am going to try to do as much as possible, and hopefully I’ll be able to take a very long nap once it’s all over.

Until next time,

Carolina R