Study in a foreign country - to transform the humankind, I know the world

Studying abroad is something that everyone should do at an early age. I feel that education abroad experience helps to shape people's views of life; it helps with opening the mind to other people, cultures and ways of living life.

The opportunity to study abroad - in Italy - came my way through the Upward Bound initiative at Kent State University. The program works with students like me, for our college-ready and increase educational opportunities for students from first-generation, low income.

I was ascending Bound student for about five years and I formed so many relationships on campus. So when I was told about an opportunity for incoming students served Kent State to study abroad, I knew it would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will be beneficial to me.

One thing that amazed me is that Italy has such a rich and wonderful culture. While in Florence, I took a class "Roman achievement," which discussed the influence of the Roman Empire in Europe.

It is amazing to see that Florence still has some of the same structures, which were built during the Roman Empire. Search everywhere in Florence is like watching a piece of history or art. Everywhere there are stories of success and triumph.

Adoption

I took an Italian elementary class, and it was easy to pick up the language, because I was immersed in a culture that he speaks. Florentine people were very helpful and I felt accepted in their culture.

Florence felt free. I was free to be who I was and I had no worries about not be accepted. Every day I passed a pizzeria. One day I went in and met the woman who ran the place. The next day again went into the pizzeria and she hugged me and asked if I wanted my "usual."

This woman looked different from me. It was tall, had a tan olive-toned and beautiful blue eyes, and I am dark-skinned girl. She accepted me for who I am. We remained close during my time there, and I visit her almost every day.

People began to treat her like my Italian mother. I do not know many people who would just open their arms to a stranger after just one day to meet them. I may not have known how adopting other cultures can be, if I had not studied abroad this summer.

I became more aware of the differences that exist between the Italian and American culture.

One thing that really helped me to grow, is the fact that Florence, the color of your skin holds no barriers. I discovered that in Italy, no matter your skin tone, nationality or ethnicity, they do not label.

Italians, in my opinion, people are adopting, and that has helped shape my view of the world. I learned that not every society is as American society, not every culture deals with issues of race or skin color the way we do in America.

Something to experience another culture and another group of people feel somewhat enlightened done. For me, the world, before traveling to Italy is only a small town of Ravenna, Ohio, where I grew up and the small town of Kent, Ohio, attending the college.