The decisions we make can have a small or big impact on our lives. What should I eat for breakfast? What shirt should I wear? The decision I made two years ago changed it completely.

In 9th grade I found out the possibility of being able to study abroad in an American high school, and, without hesitation, I realized that this experience was, without a doubt, a chance that I couldn’t miss. I used all my energy to persuade my parents and when they finally got convinced I applied for a scholarship. The day I discovered I won I was the happiest person on earth. From that moment on, my dream became true.

When I saw the first text from my host family, I couldn’t stop crying, partly because of the excitement, happiness and fear of imagining my life on the other side of the ocean. Making this decision was not easy at all, having to leave your family, your friends, your habits to throw yourself into a new reality, completely unknown.
When you know that you are going to leave for a relatively long period of time, so many questions arise in your mind. Will my friends and my family still love me? Will I be able to make new friends or will I be able to communicate if the only thing I can say is, “Hello, my name is Donatella”?

The last days in Italy were the most beautiful days of my entire summer. Going to the beach with my friends, spending the evenings dancing and singing or just having lunch together. When we realized that the time had already arrived, we tried to do everything possible, as if we wanted to do everything we would have done in 10 months, in only a few days.

Once you get on the plane, you understand that a new chapter in your life is about to begin. It’s like a rebirth, starting from scratch. Everything comes slowly, until you reach the point where you are no longer able to distinguish this reality from the one you were in before. You get used to it so fast that time seems to fly, to run forward, so that it’s impossible to try to stop it. Once this experience is over, you will understand that you have two houses, two mothers, two dads. This place will be ready to welcome me as if I have always belonged to it.

Spending time abroad allows you to create strong bonds that can never break, to immerse yourself in a new culture and open your mind. You will learn a new language and visit new places. I will never forget my first day in New York. I was fascinated by all those lights, the skyscrapers, the people who walked around in the city that never sleeps. For me, coming from a small village in the countryside of southern Italy, it was something spectacular that left me breathless. There are so many experiences that will leave a strong impression in my mind: the emotion of the first meeting with my new family, the first American barbecue, the first evening at the cabana, my first s’more, the first long ride to go to Vermont, the first time I cooked for my family, the first evening with friends, the first bowling night, the first time in Mexico, the first book in English and the first task in class.

Traveling allows you to live different lives, to transform and grow. In the past few months in America, I changed a lot. I have been able to discover my true self, the different facets of my character and to fully recognize all my skills.

All of this was possible thanks to the fantastic people I met here, starting with the family that opened the doors of their house and made my dream possible, my teachers and up to all my friends, always ready to support and put up with me.

There is a quote that all exchange students know: ”Exchange isn’t a year in your life, but a life in a year.” Guys, pack your bags and travel, discover the world, challenge yourself, fall and then get back up, stronger than before. Explore all the possible ways to confront yourself with a different reality and you will see that it’s worth the risk because all the experiences that you will gain will be the greatest reward despite the difficulties and the fatigues that you will meet on your way.
Be brave and and go to conquer the world.