Growing up, I was fortunate enough to stay in the same town and surrounding area. It wasn't until I went to college that I uprooted my life and moved somewhere totally new; but between going back and forth and one amazing study abroad trip, I feel like I've seen more of the world in three years than I have in my entire childhood combined. Needless to say, these places have been wildly different and have made for an interesting experience to say the least.

New York

Ah, home. I grew up in a small historic village in the Hudson Valley about 45 minutes from the greatest city in the world. With a total of just over 5,000 residents living in the village as of 2010, it definitely gives off a "hometown America" vibe. I grew up surrounded by fields and farmland, cute houses, hippies, horses and woodlands. Just like anywhere in the historic Hudson Valley, July 4th is our favorite holiday, and concerts at Bethel Woods are a regular thing.

Being from downstate New York, I also grew up around the city, which facilitated exposure to all sorts of museums, arts institutions, entertainment, and all around fun. Having access to New York on just a 30 min train ride was a part of my childhood that I wouldn't trade for anything, and as I near the end of undergrad, I wonder how I'll ever be able move away. Pizza, bagels, and Italian food forever!

Pennsylvania

What a shock. I decided to attend a small liberal arts college right smack in the middle of Pennsylvania. At first I thought it would be similar to my hometown because of how tiny it was, but I soon realized that life here was different than I expected. There was nothing to do, nowhere to go. There was no big shopping center ten minutes down the road, I couldn't be in the nearest major city in a half hour, and I certainly couldn't find good pizza. The first two semesters were really rough, but as I began to make friends and explore the area, I didn't hate it as much. Now that it's my last year, I realize that I will miss some of the things here in the middle of nowhere, like our favorite local restaurant (because Bongo Bongo dip) and the way the leaves change along the river in the fall.

Rome, Italy

If I thought Pennsylvania was a weird transition, I wasn't at all prepared for how transformed I would feel after my semester abroad in Italy. I lived and took classes in Rome, and traveled around Italy when I had the opportunity. Besides the fact that they obsessively play American pop music, Italy was totally different. Like most of Europe, everything was smaller and, because we were in the heart of a city, most people used public transportation.

There was still a city feeling, but it was a different kind of city. There were no skyscrapers, modern buildings, or paved roads. A majority of the city was still cobblestones, buildings were short, and monuments were everywhere. The city had a sense of leisure, and everyone took time to have conversations with each other. I think what I enjoyed most about the city was that everything was generally family-owned with only a few chain stores. After being there for about two weeks or so, we had our favorite little shops picked out and we became regulars. The Italians treated customers like family, because their business depended on it, not to mention they loved Americans in general. The beauty, passion for life, and leisure really made my time enjoyable, and was a huge change of pace from New York.

If I’ve learned anything in the last 4 years, it’s that there are amazing things to learn everywhere in the world, and each new place can be a new adventure.