Studying abroad is meant to be a journey of discovery, adventure, and self-growth. But for 21-year-old Lucy McGovern from Seattle, her semester in Rome took an unexpected and life-altering twist. What began as an exciting chapter in the eternal city quickly turned into a race against time, revealing the importance of quick medical response and the support available for international students far from home.
After arriving in Rome in January, Lucy began feeling unusually tired. At first, she assumed it was simply part of the adjustment that comes with change. But during a weekend trip to Budapest, her condition worsened dramatically: she became extremely fatigued, and her skin and eyes turned yellow.
