Like most study abroad students, I was in complete denial that my time in Rome would eventually end. After five surreal months, I’d fallen in love with Italian culture and the beautiful place I’d come to call home. As the days slowly crept toward my planned departure date, I found myself plotting ideas to extend my trip.

As a student on a budget, I decided that if I was going to stay in Italy longer, it had to be affordable. Through some brief online research, I found that some people used apps or volunteer groups to get set up across the world, volunteering and seeing new things while also benefiting the community.