It was the first day of CIMBA and I had just arrived to the
beautiful Paderno Del Grappa. I was frantically trying to find my room, unpack
my clothes, and meet the other study abroad students. Soon after organizing my
room we had a mandatory meeting in the Demarchi Room. As I sat down, between my
two friends from home, I looked around and was overwhelmed by all of the
unfamiliar faces. As Dr. Al and the rest of the CIMBA staff informed us of
valuable information that we needed to know upon our stay in Italy one thing
came to me as a surprise. “Look around, by the end of this program you will
know everyone in this room, you will become a family”, stated Dr. Al. I laughed
with my two friends and thought it was impossible that within three short
months I would know everyone in the room and become close enough to call them
family. However, that is exactly what happened.
Within the first couple months I
had already met so many new friends that have changed my life for the better. It
is crazy that it took this large group of students to go half way around the
world to form friendships that could have been formed from a few miles away. I
have become such great friends with people who attend the University of Iowa
with me that I never would have known if I was not in this program. I feel
exceptionally blessed to have experienced this program and have met all of
these remarkable people on the way. I am particularly proud of the way I have
changed as a person over these three months. Throughout the LIFE program I have
conquered my fears and become more self-confident. Each new friend that I have
met has taught me something valuable about life and has helped me reach out to
my full potential. Each destination traveled has left a mark on my heart; also
teaching me something unique and leaving me with divine satisfaction. No matter
what my destination is, traveling will be a never-ending learning experience
and I hope I can partake in something as wonderful as CIMBA again.
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