Lessons to Take Home
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Lucy Roesener (She/Her) |
In my life, I have found that I have been able to (as I call it) “solve world problems” when on phone calls with my parents. In fact, a recent phone call with my mom inspired the content for my final journal and made me realize just how much I’ve learned over the past three weeks.
In my two previous journals, I talked about my surroundings and the cultural differences I have experienced. I discussed all of these things at great length with my mother, but what I discovered during our conversation is something I have learned about myself. Being truly on my own for this long, adapting to a completely different lifestyle, and meeting new people every day has helped me realize how I fit into the world and what I can contribute. I have come to realize, specifically as it compares to Italians, how introverted I am and the difference between being able to hold a conversation and being inherently extroverted.
Italian culture has such a strong emphasis on social connections. Extroversion can be defined as a person gaining energy from being surrounded by and interacting with others. Especially in such a tight-knit community like Cagli, citizens are incredibly close to one another and take pride in maintaining these relationships. Adjusting to this lifestyle — and participating in it — has been a significant step out of my comfort zone, especially with the Italian schedule, where people are always more active and social at night.
In the U.S., the norm is to get home from school or work and enter a hermit-like state that may involve exercise, taking a shower, cooking for yourself, or watching TV. That is always how I have regained my energy, and I always assumed that’s how most people did the same. It is surprising, and honestly quite refreshing, to see so many people find such joy in being in each other’s company. Although I don’t think I’m quite there yet, it’s something I do want to work on upon returning to the U.S.
I also had the privilege of being able to spend a day in beautiful Florence, my first time ever being in a major Italian city. As someone who has dreamed of living in a big city since I was a child, I was almost shocked at how much I missed my temporary home in Cagli while I was away. I have found that these larger cities cater to Americans — and, a few weeks prior, I might have enjoyed that. But in Cagli, being treated like a local rather than a tourist has been one of the most delightful experiences of my life. Connecting with people who not only speak a different language but lead entirely different lives has been difficult but incredibly rewarding.
This experience has made me more aware of myself — my needs, what energizes me, and what rewards me — which I know I will take with me for years to come. It has forced me to step back and assess what I want for my future, not just career-wise, but the life I want to lead after I graduate. I can’t help but be proud of all that I have learned in my time spent in Cagli, a place I’ll remember for the rest of my life.
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