If you are reading this, chances are you knew about my decision to study abroad in Florence my freshman year. Chances are, at least twenty percent of you reading this really questioned my decision about spending my first year of college abroad. Won't she be missing out on the freshman experience? How will she make friends when she gets back to Marist? Will she be getting a lower level of education abroad? Trust me, you were not alone in asking those questions. I honestly asked myself the same questions a lot before I left. Sometimes I would wake up in the morning and think "What the hell did I just decide to do?" While all of my friends were dorm shopping, I was trying to figure out how to pack a year's worth of clothing, bug spray, food, shoes, and jackets into two fifty- pound backs. Well, it's been almost five months since the end of my study abroad experience and I can safely say I do not regret my decision.

My unique freshman experience taught me things that a normal college experience would have never been able to do.

My Florence experience taught me to let go. Anyone who knows me prior to my Florence days knows I was a little tightly wound at times...okay, who am I kidding. I was the person who had a really hard time with letting things go and things not going as planned. Spending my first year abroad taught me to let go (or forced me to) because there was not really another choice. There are times when things definitely do not go your way. Flights get cancelled, people get sick, weather ruins your plans. You just learn to roll with anything that comes your way.

It taught me how to adult. I was forced to do things on my own and I couldn't rely on my parents for everything like I had in the past and like I would have continued to do if I spent my first year at Marist. I learned to cook for myself, clean for myself, and call the bank when my credit card information got stolen again.

It taught me to appreciate culture. I got to see so many incredible places and I was able to meet so many amazing new people. I learned to appreciate cultures that were different from my own and I learned to appreciate my own culture more.

For those who questioned my decision, I have your answers.

For those who thought I would miss out on the freshman dorm experience, trust me-- I am not that sad. After finally getting to Marist and walking by the freshman dorms, it seems I was not missing out on much. It does not break my heart knowing that I didn't get to spend a month sweating in a tiny little room that I share with one other person. I already had to do that in Florence, but at least we had a common living area to retreat to and gelato.

For those who questioned the education I would be getting in Florence, I understand why you did. School 4 days a week with long weekends and breaks does not sound like I would be learning a lot. I actually learned a lot though. Not only did I learn Italian, but I got to take really unique classes like the Sociology of the Italian Mafia. I also got to take a lot of intro classes for my major. All of these classes were very hands on and utilized the amazing environment around us. It was more than just sitting in front of lecture slides, it was applying the things we learned to real life. Yes, despite taking classes 4 days a week, I did still take a full course load.

As for making friends, that has been an issue, but not a big one. I honestly can't complain. I came into my second year at Marist with a large group of people I can call my friends because we shared such an incredible experience together. I feel like I came in with more friends than a lot of people who had spent their first year at Marist had. The best part is I now have my amazing housemates as some of my closest friends too.

When I was abroad, there were definitely some moments when I questioned my decision. Overall though, the good far outweighed the bad. Florence has helped me become the person I am today and I would never change it for the world.