From my freshman year in high school in Pennsylvania, I constantly thought about which competitive private university I would end up at on the East Coast. But when it came time to apply to college, I decided I wanted to explore a new place, away from the comfort of my high school and local community and so, to my surprise, I found myself in California exploring a new West Coast lifestyle that felt slower and more intentional. 

After two years at Santa Clara University, I’m now preparing to study abroad in Florence, Italy, this upcoming fall — which will of course be another lifestyle adjustment. I’m nervous to move across the world, and my mind races at night when I consider all of the uncertainties, but I have never been more excited to explore a new lifestyle in Europe.