Lexi Hoernschmeyer: LeadAbroad – GORome Program in Rome, Italy Summer 2022

When I was in Italy, my study abroad group visited a beach just an hour outside of Rome. It was the first weekend of the entire program and we were all still getting to know each other and trying to overcome the jet lag. After the bus ride we finally arrived to the beach and we were all in awe. Mainly in awe of how hot the sand was, so we wore our flip flops in the water or sprinted to the water as fast as we could.

I had met a couple of girls from Georgia College and a few boys from Atlanta that were studying at Oxford, and a girl from Ohio, so we all kind of stuck together along with a few other Auburn girls. As the day went on, we learned more and more about each other and were getting closer with each other within just one trip to the beach. One of my friends and I decided to go for a walk and on the walk we got to see a wedding just as they said “I do”.

There were little stands along the shoreline but other than that a few houses but it was a quiet, little town. My program director had organized for all of us to have big, white blankets to sit on and watch the sun set. As the sun was setting, my best friend Amanda and I started dancing and we danced and danced in celebration. Celebrating new friendships, new adventures. Celebrating the four weeks we were about to experience in Italy with each other and the people we had met. The sunset and the people made a weekend in a brand new country feel like home. 

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