The "Why not?" Attitude

Since I lived at home during the course of my undergrad, I felt like I just did not get the feel for a real “residence lifestyle” or “going away from home experience." A friend of mine had just got back from England after doing a five week study abroad program there and could not stop going on about her amazing experience. Then it struck me. I was already in my second year, so maybe it was time I did something different. Something uncomfortable and pretty outrageous for my standards. So I did. 

My options to study abroad were the following with the list of pros: 

France: can improve my French + see the Eiffel Tower

Ecuador: can see the Amazon Rain Forest + surround myself with the animals of Galapagos Island

Italy: can enjoy all the pizza, pasta, coffee and gelato one can eat in five weeks + pick up some Italian

I finally decided to go with Siena, Italy.

Piazza Del Campo: The hang-out/chill spot of the city

During the application process, the university had set up an online forum platform for students to communicate with each other before, during and after the trip. I knew it was a good idea to check this out. To my amazement, there was only one post from one person after the forum had been active for a few days. After a 10 minute conversation with this girl, she asked me if I wanted to be her roommate. Without much thought, I agreed and it was decided that she would be my roommate in Siena for five weeks!

As the trip date was approaching, I began to wonder if I had made a smart decision by choosing a roommate so quickly without giving it much thought on compatibility or roommate agreements.

  

On my departure to Italy, at the gate of the airport, I came to know my roommate and I were the only ones out of 300 students who knew no one else on the trip. I was flying miles away for five weeks, away from my family for the first time. This trip was only five weeks right? So why not? 

Flash forward five weeks: 

My roommate became my closest friend on this trip. I could say I won the lottery, or this impulsive decision helped me see that sometimes, the best attitude to have is "Why not?"  I knew that no matter who I shared a room with, it was up to me to build and maintain a good relationship. Sometimes, it may be difficult to do something uncomfortable or something you fear and it may just work for you or it may not. But it's still a lesson learned! The key is to try new things and to do your best to make it work!  

Last day Shopping in Siena

Eating our last Gelato