Leaving my heart...and my wallet in Italy

 


Coming back from Italy there are many things that I love. I am in awe of the Italian countryside and

I can imagine myself purchasing a retirement home in a small town like Fontecchio where we stayed. I

love the hospitality and kindness of local Italians living in these small towns like Alessio and Louisa

(our guide and his wife). I have seen the breathtaking views of the Amalfi coast and have sung with a

Shepard who invites people from all over the world into his home and spreads his kindness through food.

There is so much that I love about this country. 


That being said, I lost my wallet with one week left, had food poisoning, cannot remember the last time I

had a vegetable, and have clothes that are in desperate need of washing. However, these are all trivial things

compared to the amazing experience I had while in Italy. In 10 years, when I look back on this trip, I will

remember all of the culture and history that I gained a greater appreciation for and the people I met. Wallets

are replaceable while an experience like this study abroad is invaluable. 



Sitting down and chatting with my peers at dinner every night was by far one of my favorite aspects of the trip. We all came from different disciplines and backgrounds which made the conversations and discussions we had during class rich with different perspectives. Italians love their long meals and the 
5-course dinners allowed us to have plenty of time to chat. 

Throughout our time in Italy, we spoke to many locals who have much to add to the Italian economy.  We spoke with a woman whose family has owned an olive garden for generations, a young couple who have a lemon farm, a sheep farm where I quite possibly had the freshest meat and cheese of my life, and a Shepard who gave us freshly grown tomatoes and made us pasta. Seeing the hard-working people of Italy really put my life into perspective. In my little bubble in Tacoma, WA it is hard to imagine so many different individuals who contribute much to their country and love what they do. This is one of the benefits of studying abroad. Being in conversation with people like the young couple who take care of a hundred+ year old lemon grove brought life to our readings about agriculture, the ancient history of farming in Italy, and the harsh realities of an ever-changing world. 



I will treasure this experience forever. Being in Italy exceeded my expectations and has left me with a strong desire to visit more parts of the world and engage in crucial conversations. I am sad to go back and return to my normal responsibilities but I know the things I learned about the Italian history and culture will stay with me throughout the rest of my time at PLU. Also, I cannot wait for a proper shower :) 

~ Lydia 








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