Getting Comfortable with the Uncomfortable

“Change begins at the end of your comfort zone”

I have never resonated with a quote as much as I do with this one right now. My first week in Italy has been incredible, exciting, tiring, and challenging all at once, and for that I am so grateful.

When I got on the plane to Bologna at the Lisbon airport, just seven days ago, I felt terribly nervous and out of place. No one on my plane spoke english (not even the flight attendants), and my red hair and pasty skin stuck out like a sore thumb amongst the rows of beautiful Italian men and women. Safe to say, I have never felt like such an outsider. However, instead of using this moment of discomfort as an excuse to feel sorry for myself, I took it as a moment to reflect. I pulled out my little leather travel journal, scribbled down all the emotions I was feeling in that moment, and just sat there. I looked around at all the people beside me, chattering away in a language that sounded like gibberish to my American ears, and embraced the feelings of uneasiness and isolation that ran through my mind. I recognized that this was the first of many times on this trip that I would be put in an uncomfortable situation, and that this was something to be excited about, not discouraged by. Getting outside your comfort zone is where real change happens, and I cannot wait to see how this inevitable change personally shapes me.

Although I have only been here for a week, the people, places, food, history, and art of Bologna, Italy already has such a special place in my heart. The individuals that I’ve met, both Americans and Italians, are so welcoming, loving, friendly, and inspiring, and I cannot wait to continue building relationships with them over these next few months. The 28 American students in my program are particularly amazing, and have made my transition to living here exponentially easier. I cannot even count the number of late night chats, long city walks, interesting dinner conversations, and hilarious moments that we have all shared thus far, and I am certain there are so many more to come. The Italian students we have met are also incredible, and it has been very interesting to talk with them about the differences between our countries, languages, lives, and cultures. They also speak english super well, which I find very impressive.

Bologna most definitely is not perfect, however, as homelessness, racism, and unemployment plague the city. Since my program is very social justice focused we have learned a lot about these issues and the things that are being done to combat them, which has been really heartbreaking but also incredibly interesting. A few days ago a couple friends and I actually had the pleasure of talking to a migrant from Africa while we were eating lunch. We were sitting in one of the Piazzas, and he came over to try to sell us lighters, napkins, and a bunch of other things, but we politely declined (this is a common form of work for people, especially migrants). He was very understanding, and instead of pressuring us to buy his things he asked us how our day was going. We ended up getting into a lengthy conversation with him about our study abroad program, America, and his life in Bologna. I unfortunately cannot remember his name, but this man told us all about how he came to Bologna from Africa a few years ago in order to teach classes at the University of Bologna. However, after only a semester of teaching an African Studies course this man was fired, as a result of students not demonstrating interest in taking the course for the next semester. He tried to find work at other places, but the only work he could find was selling things on the streets. Therefore, this wonderful, kind hearted, intelligent, compassionate, educated man was selling lighters to people on the streets of Piazza Verdi, where he encountered racism and overall negative interactions on a daily basis. His story is not an isolated case, though, and it even sounds similar to the issues that many immigrants face in The United States. But it broke my heart, and made me remember that just because a place has beautiful architecture and delicious food does not mean that social issues aren’t existent; every place has its unique set of problems.

Overall I am having an absolutely incredible time in Bologna. My classes are super interesting, the teachers are all so passionate and knowledgeable, and the dorm is really really nice (we even have a maid that changes our sheets and washes our towels every week...like WHAT?!?). My roommate is so sweet and cool, and our room is huge. The food in the dining hall is wayyyy better than the food at SLU. I have been trying some new foods too! I told my friends here that they had to force me to try things, and they’ve kept their promise. The city is just so vibrant, beautiful, youthful, full of culture, and exciting, and I am really looking forward to making even more unforgettable memories here.

Here are a few pictures from my adventures this week:  

A beautiful old building in downtown Bologna.

The ceiling of my Italian classroom.  

 

A Jazz club we went to for dinner one night.

 

A cool sticker we found on the sidewalk.  

The view from my dorm room while the sun was setting.

One of the many beautiful pieces of street art in Bologna. 

Up, up, and away!

Well, the day is finally here. After months and months of waiting in eager anticipation, I am finally leaving for Bologna, Italy. In just a few “short” 18 hours, I will be in a foreign country where I know virtually no one and do not speak the language (although I am technically 8% fluent in Italian according to the Duolingo app #ciao). I am so excited to the point where I can’t stop smiling at the strangers that surround me, but I am also so nervous to the point where I am profusely sweating; so, yes, I probably look like an absolute freak show right now. But I think I am allowed to be.


Trying new things, meeting new people, and seeing new places are some of my favorite things about being alive. Each and every time I have done something that has allowed me to venture into these realms of newness (going on mission trips, participating in Hands of Peace, going to college, etc.), I have come out on the other side with a more holistic perspective on life and deep connections that have inspired me to be a better version of myself. I was obviously nervous before going through all of these new experiences in the past, despite the amazing things that I gained from them, so it is okay for me to be nervous right now. There are so many unknowns out there: Will I make friends? Will I do well in my classes? Will the language barrier be burdensome? Will I be homesick? Will I get over my picky eating habits? Will I have enough money? Will I encounter health problems? These are just a few of the many questions that plague my anxious mind. However, the uncertainty is precisely what is so exciting about all of this. It is totally possible that I won’t make any friends, will fail all my classes, and will lose all my money, but there is also a possibility that I will develop strong relationships, love my classes, and find a million dollars on the streets of Bologna. I obviously understand that both of these scenarios are pretty unrealistic, but the cool thing is that literally no one can predict what will happen. So, the best I can do is live in the moment, take it one day at a time, let compassion be my guide, and remain true to myself.


I have no idea if people are actually going to read this, but on the off chance that they do, I figured I would give a little description of what I will be doing in Italy over these next four months. I am participating in a social justice-oriented study abroad program, along with 27 other American students that are from a variety of different universities. I will be living in a dorm with two other Americans from the program, and there will also be University of Bologna students living in the dorm with us as well. I will be taking three classes (Immigration and Globalization, World Religions, and Italian 101), in addition to having an internship at a local homeless shelter called Piazza Grande. This organization provides a number of social services, and has a very multidimensional approach to homelessness that prioritizes social integration and community building. I will be interning under one of the social workers at the organization, and I am looking forward to working for and learning from the experienced and wise individuals there. For one of my classes I will also be doing weekly service, most likely either at an after school program or a shelter for teenage girls who are victims of domestic violence. There are a few trips built into the program, including a weekend orientation trip to the Swiss Alps and a 10-day social justice tour in Greece. I will of course be travelling on some of the other weekends too, so if anyone has travel recommendations please let me know!!


In the wise wise words of Enya, “who can say where the road goes, where the day flows, only time.” I may not know where this road will take me, but I am so dang excited to find out. So, my lovely friends, family, and internet people who may be reading this, please wiggle your spirit fingers in my direction, send your good vibes across the pond, and stay tuned for all that this adventure may bring. I am truly sad to leave behind the people and places that I call home, but here’s to carving out a new home for myself in the beautiful city of Bologna, Italy.
**raises imaginary glass of wine**