Bags? Not packed (yet). Itinerary? In the works. Classes? Still waiting on my schedule. But, despite all that, I’m SO READY to go abroad next semester. The process has been long and stressful, but it would’ve been smooth sailing with more preparation and time, two things I didn’t have. What I did have, and I’ve had for a very long time, is the dream to live abroad for a semester. For many years now I’ve wanted to go abroad to Italy, specifically. I’ve always been attracted to the culture and history of that country, and no matter where life took me, that “Studying Abroad” tab was always open in my mind.
journey to sorrento
My story started in late September when I started discussing my living situation for the 2024-2025 academic year with my friends. I realized that the perfect semester to go abroad in my case was Spring 2024, not 2025 as I had intended initially. When I came to this conclusion, I immediately spoke to my parents to see if this dream could become a reality on such short notice, and they were 100% on board. I dove deep into the research to find the program for me, but my choices were limited because most program deadlines were already closed. Fortunately, I found a program that I fell in love with that was still taking applications. I spoke to my advisor to get all my ducks in a row and managed to get my application in by October 6th. At this point, I started imagining myself on the Mediterranean Coast in Sorrento, Italy from January to May in 2024.
I was caught off guard by the fact that not only did I need a visa, but that my passport was expiring soon. In a matter of days, I applied for an expedited new passport and manifested every single day that it would come earlier than expected. To my luck and surprise, the miracle we all hoped for happened: my new passport came back a week early. Once I gathered all the paperwork, I rushed down to Houston to apply for my Italian visa. To my luck once again, I got my visa in the mail about a week after I applied, and now, I’m even more ready to get on that plane and cross the Atlantic.
The application process itself was pretty standard, nothing too crazy. What consumed the most time was getting signatures for my pre-approval form. This is a form I sent out to academic advisors in different departments across the university showing my interest in taking certain classes while abroad. Their job is to approve these classes by seeing if there is a TAMU equivalent to what the course is. This process came to a slightly stressful point because some of the classes I wanted were not compatible with any TAMU credit, or if they were, they wouldn’t fulfill the core curriculum requirements I was trying to get. After a lot of back-and-forth emails, I finally got all my course options approved, and the 4 classes I intend to take fulfill the degree requirements I was looking to get. I’m just waiting to get my actual class schedule from my host institution, and everything will be in place!
I’ve spent some weeks working on my packing list and thinking about what essentials I’ll need. I’m working on prioritizing whatever I can’t buy there and leaving enough space in my suitcase for all the shopping I plan on doing. The weather will mostly be between the 50s and 70s throughout the semester, so I’m not planning on taking any big coats or actual winter clothes. Europeans dress very elegantly for any occasion, and I want to dress as local as possible. This is why my bags will be mostly filled with miscalleanous stuff; just so I can bring them back filled with European clothes.
friends and family
For a couple of weeks now, I’ve had several reality checks where I’ve had to come to terms with the fact that I won’t be in College Station next semester. Don’t get me wrong, I’m very excited and thankful for all the experiences I know I’ll live in the coming months, but I can’t help from getting FOMO from thinking that my friends will keep making memories and I’ll be far away from them. I think that I feel this way because this semester, I feel like I’ve found my people and we haven’t really been apart longer than a week. Because of this, I don’t really know how the next months will treat us. So, I’ve made a particular effort these last weeks to spend as much time with all of them as possible doing even the most mundane things. From going on walks around campus to sitting on a couch to online shop together, I want to absorb as much as I can before I leave. I know I’ll be back for the fall and we’ll continue growing together, but I also know I’ll miss them deeply everyday while abroad.
I’ve also worked on getting into the mentality that I’ll be away from my family for the longest I’ve ever been. I know everyone will be a phone call away, but it’s still scary to think about. Going through the whole adaptation process and constantly leaving my comfort zone without my support system right there to, well, support me is very hard to think about, but I know they’ll be rooting for me and sending over the best energy for those couple of months. I’m lucky to have parents who want me to explore new opportunities and leave the nest; who trust me enough to send me away for 4 months knowing I’ll come back telling stories and sharing pictures; who know that the way they’ve raised me has prepared me to take on this experience with the best possible attitude and all the tools necessary in my toolbelt. Either way, I’m fortunate enough to have family in Spain that I know will take me in whenever I need a boost of family and feel like visiting.
At the end of the day, I’m going away to fulfill one of my dreams and learn about a culture I’ve been fascinated with for many years. I have amazing people waiting for me when I get home, and I know I’ll meet amazing people on the way as well. Now, all that’s left to do is #BTHOFinals, pack my bags, and (figuratively, because I’m flying in) set sail to Sorrento, Italy!