What I Learned About Resilience and Adaptability During a Study Abroad Semester in Florence
Studying abroad is not an all-glorious or all-joyful experience. During my first month in Florence, I didn’t feel cut out for all of the sudden and unexpected changes thrown at me by living alone in a foreign country. And while I was aware of the mental and emotional battles I could potentially face, nothing could've fully prepared me for it. I now know that because I was able to persist, learn how to adapt to my new environment and push myself through those challenging emotional and mental moments, I gained the most critical life skill: resilience.
In order to keep growing in any realm of life, especially personally and professionally, being resilient is key. My study abroad experience has been a constant reminder that I am capable of handling changes and pushing myself past my limits.
Going through the many photos I took while abroad, I noticed that a majority of them were taken after achieving or accomplishing something, like reaching the top of Florence's Bell Tower, getting to the summit of a really steep hill in Siena or Cinque Terre, or making it to the end of the semester having made a few lifelong friends.
My photoset follows the physical, emotional, and mental ups and downs I faced, how I got through it all, and how those experiences ultimately led to gaining resilience.
My hope for this project is to showcase (through my captions) a truthful look and insight into what a study abroad experience can be. I know that before I left, I spent a lot of time looking at Instagram posts and TikToks that tended to glamorize or romanticize studying away. While there is definitely much to be glamorized and romanticized abroad, I think it's also important to address the things that go on when cameras are off.
Me in front of the Duomo. My sister flew home that morning, which meant I was officially alone in Italy. I was scared the people in my program weren’t going to like me, scared that the only person that reminded me of home had left me behind, scared to be left alone. As the Tuscan air brushed across my face and I looked around at all of the beautiful buildings, I remembered: I signed up for this and so I had to make the most of it. (Photo credit: McKenna Yates)
Me cooking a batch of panna cotta for after a long first week of classes. My friend group had a tradition of hosting “family dinners” every week. As I stirred and watched the boiling cream, I realized how lucky I was to be able to connect with a culture and people through food. (Photo credit: McKenna Yates)
The friends I made the first week of the program at Castiglioncello, a beach about an hour train ride from Florence, on the first trip we took together. I remember thinking, “what if they don’t like me enough to wanna stick around?” After we took this photo, I realized, “so, what if they don’t? Just be yourself. No one is obligated to like you anyways and the same goes for you.” Little did I know, each person in this photo and I stuck together until the very end.
After basking in the sun and swimming all day, this is me trying to catch a butterfly at a park in Castiglioncello. I remember thinking how special it was to be given the opportunity to study abroad and meet the people I have so far. I also remember feeling sad about the day being over already. Watching the butterfly flutter around before slowing down to rest on a leaf reminded me to do the same – slow down, breathe, and take a second to take it all in. (Photo credit: McKenna Yates)
Some buildings in Monterosso in Cinque Terre. We had just finished a three-hour hike to get to this town. I was not only physically exhausted, but mentally and emotionally exhausted from trying to keep up with my friends, who were walking way faster. The beautiful scenery made up for it, however. I remember thinking, “wow, I can’t believe people get to live here and see this every day,” and how lucky I was to be able to enjoy it.
This was after my friend McKenna, her sister, and I climbed 414 steps to reach the top of the bell tower in Florence. It was one of the most physically challenging and exhausting things I’ve ever done. The view of the Duomo and Tuscan hillsides were absolutely breathtaking and incredible, however, so it was worth feeling like I was going to pass out the entire time I was climbing those steps. I was proud of myself for making it to the top and to the end of the semester. (Photo credit: McKenna Yates)
Me at the summit of a hill in Siena. Our program took us on a class trip here. I remember it being humid, which made me feel tired. Nonetheless, I basked in the beauty of the sun and hills, reminding myself to take every chance I can get to be in the moment and cherish things before they end. (Photo credit: Kendal Mountain)
The Tuscan hills on my last solo stroll around Florence. I stumbled upon this viewpoint, which made me kind of angry because I wish I had discovered it sooner. I then remembered why I went on this walk - to cherish everything sweet one last time. I took a few deep breaths and hugged myself, reminding myself that while change is scary, it can be oh, so sweet because without it, we wouldn’t be able to appreciate things as much.
My friend Brandon and I at the CEA CAPA Florence end-of-the-semester dinner. Brandon is the closest friend I made abroad. To this day, we still keep in touch. I couldn’t have done it without him. Cheers to all of the laughs and memories, Brando! (Photo credit: Kendal Mountain)
This is my friend Brandon and I crying and reminiscing about all of the great memories we created the whole semester as we stared at the front of the Duomo one last time together. (Photo credit: Kendal Mountain)