When we first arrived in Bologna I was a little overwhelmed because our luggage was still in Paris so we had to claim lost luggage at the airport. Thankfully, the airport delivered our luggage the next day so we didn’t have to go long without our belongings. That is one thing I will do again for future traveling which is to bring a change of clothes, any medicine, and a universal plug-in charger. I had clothes, but had forgotten the charger in my luggage, but the girl I roomed with had one I used. The part I loved most about the program was the people on the trip, we never stopped laughing. I enjoyed getting to sit beside someone different at every meal and getting to know the other students. My most favorite part about Bologna was how they value conversation and aren’t necessarily on a schedule like we are in America. My favorite activities were the pasta making classes with the grandmas of Italy, wine tasting, and seeing a mosaic being made in Ravenna. Also, I enjoyed the city tours of Parma, Bologna, Dozza, Ravenna, and Faenza. Most people everywhere spoke English so for the most part we were good, which I was thankful for. I tried to pick up some Italian like grazie which means thank you and other simple words. I will be taking home a blue and white ceramic vase from Faenza, Italy. Then a ceramic cross for my mom, olive oil from the farm we visited, a handcrafted mosaic from Ravenna, and other paintings from Dozza. Overall, I am sad to leave the fun activities and awesome group of people I have met. This trip definitely exceeded all of my expectations.
