Airplanes & Adventures

I finally booked my flight! I am officially counting down to my departure. I can't wait to officially be a student at the American University in Rome. I will get three days of orientation, a semester kick off party, and then my first class begins! Luckily I only have class Tuesday,Wednesday, and Thursday. Maybe it's more like half school and half vacation? I'm okay with that :)

After school is out, I am incredibly lucky to be going on an eastern European tour with Topdeck. Our itinerary is packed with adventures as I travel through:

• Venice, Italy
• Vienna, Austria
• Budapest, Hungary
• Krakow, Poland
• Prague, Czech Republic
• Berlin, Germany
• Amsterdam, Netherlands
• London, England

I am so excited and blessed for this opportunity. I could sit and write more about how I can't wait to go, but I'm also trying to spend plenty of time at home with the people I love before I leave! 132 days is a long time. It will fly by and I plan to cherish every moment before, during, and after.

I found a very fitting quote today. Yes, I have a cheesy love for quotes. You'll get used to it! I just think that sometimes other people have already found the perfect words to describe what you want to say, so why not borrow their wisdom? Anyway, it said... "Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway." That said, I like to think that time is relative and dreams are reality :)

Since School is a Must

Preparing to study abroad is quite the process! I am so glad to be done running all over my beautiful campus here to get signatures on my course approval form. With that finished, I am officially signed up to take classes at AUR (that will indeed transfer back to State!). My schedule is pretty great, considering I don't have Friday or Monday classes. Four day weekends are normal, right? :) Here's what I'll be studying this spring.

Italian Sketchbook: This class is a beginning art. I can't begin to say how much I've missed art classes since I came to college. I was in art through twelfth grade and even completed an IB project. (You can see all my work from senior year on my art blog, if you're interested!) My hope is that this class allows me to spend time with my sketchbook and introduces me to a wonderful, eccentric art teacher. 

Art History: Where better to study art history than Rome, where you're living in and around it? I'll be able to learn about a piece one day and see it the next. Amazing.

Introduction to Italian: When in Rome, speak Italian, right? I don't know much (or any) of the language quite yet. Good thing it's an American, English speaking university! I took French in high school and am crossing my fingers that the romance languages actually are similar. Of course I'm excited to learn how to make it around the city on my own and understanding what's happening around me. This class is unique because it's not just a language course - they mix in a lot of culture as, well.

Sociology of Contemporary Italy: I've never taken a soc course but am curious as to what I'll learn! I needed an ISS transfer credit which led me to this class. It sounds pretty fascinating as you study everything from fascism to fashion trends over the last century.

The nerd in me is so excited to start classes but the traveler in me is even more excited that I only have 12 credits and 3 days worth of classes... :)

Hello from home :)

I created this blog a while ago, but here is my first official post! My name is Sarah and I'm a sophomore at Michigan State University. I'm studying abroad in Italy at the American University in Rome for the spring 2014 semester. Yes, it seems like it's the common thing to do for study abroad students, but I decided that it is definitely the best place to collect stories, pictures, and thoughts for both myself and you all back home. I love to write and I'm trying to become a good photographer so I hope you enjoy checking back here :)

In addition, I was given the chance to complete an honors option for a Teacher Education class while in Rome. My professor, Kyle, and I decided that I'd have three self-assigned projects to complete and journal about. Learning is best done through experience, I believe, so this is the perfect project for a future global educator! Check out the page "Honors Adventures" for updates. 

It's only November 11 and I'm sitting in my dorm in Mason Hall. I have a feeling, though, that the day I board the plane and arrive in the Fiumicino Airport of Rome, Italy will come before I know it. I can't quite wrap my head around how scared, thrilled, and curious I am for all that I will be lucky enough to experience!