My Maymester in Sorrento

Where do I even start…. I always had a dream to study abroad and see the world, and when I got the opportunity to study in Sorrento, Italy for a Maymester I was so overcome by joy and gratitude that I couldn’t even believe my dreams were coming true. I don’t think reality hit me until I was on the plane staring out the window realizing I was on my way to Italy. This trip truly changed my life for the better. I was stuck in a constant repeat and way just existing until I stepped foot on that plane.

From the moment I arrived in Sorrento I felt my battery recharging. When you feel like you’re living the same day over and over again, it can fill you with a void that you don’t even notice until you’re slowly being healed by the best group of people in the most beautiful place. I truly have no words for the 3 weeks I spent in Italy, except for the feeling of gratitude for even getting the opportunity to say “I studied abroad.” Without my parents I would’ve never gotten to experience this trip of a lifetime.

Rewinding to the first day I remember feeling so nervous that I wasn’t going to find a good group of girls to call my friends. Until I met my roommates that were randomly selected for me, and I instantly knew I was going to be just fine. And it only got better from there! I met so many other girls I called home on this trip.

From going out to dinner almost every night to spending each and every second trying to figure out what we were going to do next because we just wanted to experience everything together. It wasn’t the place I called home, but the people. We played cards every night that we could and bonded over how we were “the coolest people ever” as a joke to remind ourselves the world is full of opportunities that we can grasp in our own hands.

I also want to say a special thank you to Sant’Anna Institute for having such an amazing program for students to experience. With its amazing location right on the water, to the people who made it a home, thank you. To my marine biology class, thanks for making class fun. I can officially say I know more about my favorite place on earth (the ocean) better than I did before and what a great way to learn than on the Amalfi Coast/Mediterranean sea.

My favorite memories were the days everyone spent the day and night together. Enjoying the town, beach, food, and each other's company. Florence also has a piece of my heart forever. From the beautiful city with a river running through it, to the atmosphere I felt while walking the town. I could definitely see myself living there one day for a short while. Rome was also amazing to see all the history there. I just wish it was a little less crowded and that I had more time. But the good thing is I’m only 20 so I have plenty of time to go back.

Overall, there are too many good things to reminisce on and it would take me days to pinpoint each and everyone of them. But the main thing I want to say is, life is too short. Take the trip, say hi to random people, make friends, be kind and smile because there's always so much to be grateful for. Don’t ever forget about the small victories in life, it'll make your days a whole lot sweeter.

I've opened up to so much to the world and I’m done wishing days away. Embrace the good, embrace the bad because at the end of the day you choose how you live your life. I always dreamed of seeing the world and wow what a great way to begin. I cannot recommend enough to get out of your bubble.

Go see the world — you’re gonna wish you took that trip, texted that friend or told someone you loved them. So stop wishing and start doing because tomorrow is not promised. You only get one, so don't waste it on saying you wish you did this or you wish you did that. Fill your cup, nobody likes to feel empty!

Learn more about CIS Abroad programs in Italy here!

Blog by Reagan Panosian, Grand Valley State University