“This is a photo my friend took of me in Siena, Italy. It was so stunning and surreal to look out over the countryside and be reminded that I was truly here, and that I was able to make studying abroad possible because I worked hard, saved all the money to fund the trip on my own, and had the incredible support of my family and my mom especially. This is one of the best life decisions I’ve ever made and I feel like I’m growing immensely here. Traveling abroad as a woman and as someone who has never traveled anywhere outside of the East coast has had its daunting moments, like the times we’ve gotten lost or had to go to the hospital, but the friends I’ve made and the adventures I’ve gone on so far are priceless. I’ve met so many people and so many women with beautiful, diverse stories about where they come from all over the world, what they’re studying, and who they want to be and what they want to do with their lives. It is so inspiring.”