This is my second time being in Ariccia, this time not as a student but as the graduate teaching assistant, and upon on my arrival I felt like I knew exactly what I was getting into. Spoiler alert- I was wrong. Every group to come through the Joseph S. Bruno program is extraordinary in their own unique way, making each semester of JSB a new adventure in a way students may not even realize.

When I left Ariccia as a student who had just completed the Fall 2016 semester abroad, I knew in my heart that I wanted to return. I couldn’t wrap my head around not returning to a place that meant so much to me for the past three months and which gave me a sense of adventure that one seldom can’t feel unless outside of their comfort zone. They say if you through a coin into the Trevi Fountain, you will one day return to Rome. Well for me, I returned three years later with a Bachelor’s degree under my belt and a confidence that I knew exactly how to navigate another semester abroad.

However the thing about going abroad is- you can never know what to expect. Add the uncertainty of traveling for three months to also living with a whole new group of 21 students, and I found myself quickly realizing I knew nothing at all. One thing I did know was even through the uncertainty, I needed to enjoy every moment, relish the new friendships and mentorships made, and embrace being outside of my comfort zone. Nothing was the same about my semester as a graduate teaching assistant as it was as a student, but nevertheless the one aspect that remains is all of the amazing moments and relationships that grow from a semester with the JSB program.

There are a lot of things I’m going to remember about this semester and this group. But because memories can be as elusive as the souvenirs you bring back home in your 50 + pound suitcase, I’m going to take this time to list some out:

I’m going to remember going to the lookout in Ariccia with the group for the first time on Claire’s birthday.  I’ll remember Naren singing to everyone on the bus after a long field trip, and Michelle making the kitchen smell amazing from whichever soup she decided to cook that day. I’ll remember Isla’s constant kindness and excellent sense of fashion, and Emma’s effortless confidence and ability to smile in every situation. I’ll remember Emily for being Emily and our hours-long conversation on the Fourth of July, and I’ll remember Morgan’s infinite ability to find at least one item to try on in every store we walked into. I’ll remember Ellie and I stuffed to maximum capacity after trying ten different kinds of pizza with our Italian family, and I’ll remember Chapman starting off her E&R of the non-Catholic cemetery by saying people are “dying” to get in there. I’ll remember our horrific experience trying to get from Mykonos to the Athens airport, and Jordan fearlessly running off the ferry in wedges to catch her group’s taxi. I’ll remember singing Adele karaoke with Virginia and Liz at Scholar’s Pub, and I’ll always remember Janie’s Hermés shopping bag. I’ll remember Clara’s stellar performance as Violetta in the fake opera, and Emma Rose working into the late hours of the night on a collage page of animals for her journal rather than the actual requirements. I’ll remember Maggie Leigh jumping off the highest cliff I’ve ever seen in Croatia, and Monique and I riding around the Eiffel Tower on scooters in the middle of the night in Paris. I’ll remember Lindsey’s impeccable ability to convince everyone to get gelato even if we just stuffed ourselves with pasta, and the Capri landscape fitting Temple’s blue and orange Instagram aesthetic perfectly. I’ll remember Allison’s undeniable ability to find the absolute best rooftop in every single city we visited, and Mary Claire being our real-life mascot for the Bachelorette all summer as Hannah B’s long-lost twin.

Most of all, I’ll remember the things that I learned coming back to the JSB program for the second time, in a whole new position. I’ll remember what it means to be an effective leader, and what it means to not. I’ll remember being the protective mother bear that tells the people bombarding students on the street to buy their cheap products to “back off.” I’ll remember all the laughter, difficulty, and love that comes with being a leader, while also being a friend.

I’ll forever be thankful for my opportunity to be apart of the JSB program, not just once, but twice. I threw a coin in the Trevi Fountain with the dream of returning, and it worked. Only now I feel entirely unique from the person I was three years ago, and I wouldn’t change a thing.

With endless love,

Ali

A few weeks ago, sitting in on a Sorrento meeting, our co-director, Cinzia, told our class about a hike called the Path of Gods. It struck me with its stunning pictures and what seemed to be ten-out-of-ten views. I knew I had to do it when I touched down to the area of Southern Italy. Next thing I know, myself and two of my classmates, Claire Darnall and Maggie Leigh Faulk, embarked on the seven-kilometer journey from Angerola to Positano. We began by taking a cab to the top of this magnificent hill headed to the Path of Gods. We began the hike with confidence, no hunger, and little water. When we turned the first corner, we were in complete awe of the ocean views and Earth’s art before us. It was strikingly beautiful. As we continued on the hike, we encountered steep rocks, muddy terrain, cliffs, and more that made the hike more than worth it to all of us. We were so thankful we did it. After we completed the hike, we were anticipant for food and water, skipping along to find the way to Positano.

Conked out and tired, we moved quickly to the town, only to come upon TWO-THOUSAND STAIRS. Down, thankfully, but still two-thousand stairs. We held our breath, knowing what comes up must go down, and started sprinting down the cemented-in staircase. At the time, it was a mystery that it would be so difficult. Anyone can go down some stairs, right? Wrong. By the end we were wiped out, numb, sweaty, and parched. Surely we were in Positano by now, right? Wrong. At the bottom of these two-thousand steps, we came upon a couple who pointed us toward the town that was a 45 minute walk. We realized then that those ocean views and Earth’s beauty during Path of Gods was maybe a little tad not worth it, something we should have Googled.

We finished the last 45 minutes with smiles on our faces and true joy in our heart. This is when I realized the real lesson I was learning here. Not regretting the hike, but having immense gratitude for the journey; the positivity, endurance, and determination it took us to get there. Not that we had a choice, but I was close to glad we didn’t have another way out because it forced us to take the slow and hard way. I figured out quickly that this day was a huge lesson and reflection of so much I have learned here while in Italy. The views, hike, stairs, and walk to town reflected the reward, adversity, learning, and fight for positivity in the midst of all the temptations to complain along the journey.

What a summer.  I never knew how much I would learn through this study abroad experience. I was introduced to JSB as an incoming freshman at Auburn University in 2015. I was immediately drawn to it and in awe that my university in small-town Auburn, Alabama had a campus in Ariccia, Italy! How amazing! Little did I know four years would pass and I would embark on this journey and wow am I thankful I did. Through the uncomfortable, comfortable, exciting, and anticipant days here, I have taken so much away from this study abroad. I can confidently say I will never have an experience again quite like this one. JSB has taught me what comes up must come down, and it’s up to our mind set and gratitude on how we handle it.

Signed, Liz Phelps

I am from China and started my study aboard journey when I went to America for high school, and now I am an international student at Auburn. Can you believe I am studying abroad while I am studying aboard? At the beginning, I signed up for this study aboard program with my best friend Narengerile. I was only thinking about having a good time in Italy with her, and that we would make unforgettable memories for our friendship. I also thought it would look good on my resume later. However, I never thought that I would make 20 new friends here who I can share things with, talk with, laugh with, and have good time with.

I’m so glad I can spend so much time with these sweet American students. I am not only improving my English, but I am also learning confidence from them. I get the chance to show them special things about Chinese culture, such as sharing—you always give the best thing you have to others. I really like to share things I have with them; they are so wonderful and deserve it. We also explore a new culture (In Italy) together. We have learned so much about food, architecture, and art.

     To be honest, maybe ten years later, I will tell my kids about my study aboard experience in Italy. I might forget about some of the art and other knowledge I have learned from the classes here, but I will never forget all the sweet students I have met on this experience.

Yes, we have been through a lot, and not just sleeping at the palace together or sitting in class. We also run through the airport together, share cultures together, and help each other get through the tough times. Because we experienced all these things together, I believe we will continue to go through life together in the future.

Sincerely, He (Michelle) Zhang

When I signed up to study abroad with the JSB program two summers ago I had no idea how much the experience would affect me. Whenever I thought of the program I would mainly think of traveling around Europe, potentially making new friends, and how it would be the best summer of my life. However, something that I never anticipated is how the program contributes to one’s personal growth and acceptance of themselves, while also learning how to function and interact with a diverse group of people. 

Throughout the past nine weeks I have been living alongside 21 girls, all from different backgrounds with different personalities, and together we have seen eachother’s highs and lows and how each person handles a stressful situation differently. We have been one another’s confidants and biggest cheerleaders and I have never felt more encouraged and supported than I have throughout the JSB program.

Now that doesn’t mean that everything is perfect, we are humans. There are tiffs here and there, but by the end of the day we all realize that we see one another in an environment and in situations that not even our own mothers have witnessed us in. Therefore we have become one another’s support systems to make our remaining time here enjoyable and memorable.

This past summer has been one focused on growth and finding confidence within myself and my actions. It may sound cliché, but when I return home in a few short weeks I will be returning as a new person. Now I don’t mean someone with a completely different personality, but someone who is more confident in herself and her actions and won’t shy away from the challenges that she will face for the rest of her life. From this point on I’ll take these stressful situations and think back on this summer and remember how I traveled the world, made new friends, and had the best summer of my life. Through it all, I faced triumphs and failures to take the person I was and create a better version of who I am today.

Love, Janie

After finding out last minute that I was invited to go on this study abroad, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to go, and I almost didn’t. But, boy am I sure glad that I have a supportive family and providing Father who made it all possible.

I never did anything to deserve such an indescribable and rare experience as this study abroad. Although I grew up on some of the most popular beaches of Florida that are many southerner’s destination location, I didn’t grow up traveling very much myself. And when my family and I did travel, it wasn’t very far. So, this trip has rocked my world way more than I ever thought it would. My heart of gratitude grows bigger every day. The real challenge lies in having a grateful attitude even when there are rough days, because there WILL be rough days.

The following are some tips that have helped me to have the right mindset and heart for traveling, especially with other people. These are things I am so thankful to have been able to learn in my time here.

1. Don’t complain. Of course we all want to whine a little bit here and there when the weather gets hot or our feet hurt from walking. But, I learned that if I fight those thoughts from seeping into my head, I will be able to tolerate the experience a little bit better.
2. Be content. I realized that lowering expectations for my plans will also lower my chances of disappointment. If I can find joy in whatever I am doing or however a situation turns out, I am less reliant on everything going ‘perfectly.’
3.  Show a heart of thankfulness. Along with not complaining and being content, I started to grow a heart of thankfulness in all I was doing. When I am somewhere for a long time, my thankfulness can slowly begin to fade as I get accustomed to my surroundings. I have to keep the fire of thankfulness lit as long as possible, because I know that once I return I will reminisce of my time abroad.

I hope that these simple, and seemingly obvious yet often unpracticed, tips can help anyone abroad or traveling because I know that while I’ve been chasing the sun, it all the while has helped me to keep chasing the Son!

Stay rad,

Temple Nichols

-Literally chasing the sun on one of the many early morning, sunrise flights to our next destination on this study abroad.