By Bella Oberlatz
In this blog post, I want to share the personal journey that is my relationship with travel – how it has been more than just a collection of destinations, but a transformative force that has shifted my perspectives and enriched my understanding of the world.
As kids, my parents showed my sister and I a different kind of travel. No fancy resorts or cruises, just immersive cultural experiences. Staying in local towns, savoring traditional dishes, and exploring unfamiliar places became our norm. These adventures shaped who I am today, teaching me independence, resilience, and the beauty of finding joy in the unknown. Travel, for me, goes beyond places; it’s about growing into a more adaptable and open-minded person.
This past year I had my greatest transformative experience while studying abroad in Siena, Italy, a place that held a special resonance for me on multiple levels. Growing up with my Italian Nonno, the allure of Italy had always intrigued me. Inspired by my mother’s own study abroad experience in Italy during her college years, I made it a personal goal to follow in her footsteps.
During my freshman year of college, I declared a Bachelor of Arts and started learning Italian. Initially, my intention was to gain just a basic understanding of the language, enough to facilitate conversation with the intent of studying abroad. However, to my surprise, I found myself more interested by the intricacies of the language than I thought I would be. By my sophomore year, I had declared a minor in Italian and applied for the language and culture abroad program in Siena for the fall of 2023.
Anticipation and nervous excitement flooded my emotions as I boarded the plane. Despite having traveled internationally alone before, the idea of navigating a new country on my own was daunting. I was so afraid of something going wrong. Yet, as I landed in Italy, a wave of emotion overcame me. Tears welled up in my eyes, as dramatic as that sounds, it’s true. I had spent so much time worrying about what could go wrong I wasn’t paying attention to what was right in front of me. I made this happen.
I tend to be a think ten steps ahead kind of person. I am always anticipating the worst-case scenario or thinking about what the next three weeks look like. This trait can be useful but most of the time it is causing unwanted stress. I set a goal for myself while being in Italy; be content and in the moment. This became the overarching theme of my time abroad.
In Siena I started each day at a coffee shop, observing the unique mannerisms and appreciating the unhurried pace of life. Italy taught me the invaluable lesson of being present, I was surprised at the simple joys of taking time for coffee. They don’t take their coffee togo or rush out the door. Nothing in Italy ever hurries; every moment is exactly in the moment. Had I not taken the time to pause and observe, I might have missed the subtle beauty that unfolded around me.
Looking back, I realize how fortunate I am to have had these experiences. They weren’t just stamps in a passport; they were stepping stones for me to become a more open-minded and appreciative individual. Travel, in its truest form, is a teacher, shaping not just the places you visit but the person you become.
Bella Oberlatz 