Today we all rode the bus to
Salzburg, and I might have fallen asleep again. I don’t know what it is about
that bus ride, but I’m pretty sure I fell asleep on it every time. As we all
stood grouped together after we got off the bus, I realized this was goodbye,
and it felt really weird to leave the people I’ve been with every day for a
solid three weeks. But we all hugged goodbye and went our separate ways;
Kaitlyn, Lori and I headed off for our week in Italy. This is the official end of my study abroad; I can't believe it's actually over. Thankfully I'll have a week in Italy to soften the blow... :) Nevertheless, endings make me reflective, here's a summary of my adventures.
Ever since I was young, I've dreamed of going on a study abroad. I
thought it would never happen though; I thought it would be too expensive and
too complicated. Everything changed when I talked to my roommate who was
planning on a study abroad for her International Studies major; she convinced
me to check it out more thoroughly. After that I researched Art-specific
programs and talked to my adviser about which program would be most beneficial
to my graduation plan. We figured out that doing the Vienna study abroad
program would reduce my graduation plan from three more years to two more
years. I was sold…. So the meetings started and I met all the girls on our
trip. We all started getting excited and a little nervous. After school ended,
I spent those two interim weeks packing like a madwoman. And then the day came
when I flew out of SLC and made my way to Vienna. Everything after that is a
blur of walking, museums, sunshine, trains, gelato, and laughing. I learned so
much about myself, the world, other cultures, art, and life in general that I
feel like a different person came home than the person who left in the middle
of May. I got to see and do so many things I’ve dreamed of that it still feels
a little surreal. My study abroad was perfect: wonderful, small group of people;
fun, flexible plans; gelato every day; fascinating museums and architecture; days
full of laughing and learning; sitting after dinner to talk and laugh together;
working together to figure out where the heck we are and what we’re supposed to
do; discovering beautiful things and places; and just loving every day in
general. Vienna was wonderful and became a home to me, Budapest was exciting and
foreign, Prague was historically fascinating and friendly, St. Gilgen was
beautiful, relaxing and authentic. People ask me what my favorite part was and
I don’t even know where to begin; it was all my favorite part. My study abroad
was everything I could have hoped for and more, and I’m so glad it all worked
out just like it did. I’ll never forget our experiences there, and I hope
someday I can go back again.
Picture Highlights:
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| Walking tour in Prague |
