Studying Abroad in Florence, Italy over the Summer

Tayla Lugo, Verrazano Class of 2017, has been waiting anxiously for this day since March. That's when she learned she had received a Verrazano Study Abroad Scholarship to attend a CSI course taught in Florence, Italy, over the summer. Read on to share her anticipation!

            My name is Tayla Lugo and I am a Verrazano Student at the College of Staten Island. This summer I am accomplishing something I have always dreamt of doing since I was a little girl: I am studying abroad. I am leaving on May 27, 2015 to study abroad in Florence, Italy.

            I have never been more excited about anything in my life. I also have never been out of the country before and I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a little nervous. Thankfully, my excitement trumps my nervousness and I look forward to embracing this amazing experience. This is my first step in pursuing my dreams of traveling the world. I plan on traveling all over Italy and also to Paris, France while I am abroad. If you saw my room, you would know how obsessed I am with Paris because of all the pictures I have hanging on my walls.

            It is very important for me to experience the different cultures, languages, and traditions while learning about myself along the way. I hope to come home with a better understanding of the world and a deeper respect for the Italian culture. I cannot wait to get down with my Italian roots and learn more about where my family came from.

I am beyond grateful to the College of Staten Island, the Verrazano School, and everyone else who helped to make this journey possible for me. I am counting down the hours until I am in the land of pasta and gelato. This opportunity will shape the rest of my life and I cannot wait to share it with all with you!

Chaos!

The next time I will be writing to you all is when I am in Italy. How insane is that? I still cannot believe it. Someone needs to pinch me. By the way, packing for a month was such a challenge that I finally conquered after repacking a good three times. I am a girl and I tend to over pack when I go away for a week, let alone a month. I took pictures so you can all see how my wardrobe failed me and threw up all over my room. It was not pretty.

            I hope it will give you a good laugh!

Best,

Tayla Lugo

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