My Semester Abroad In Italy

I wanted to study abroad for a variety of reasons. I wanted to experience a new culture, to learn a new language, to dramatically change my environment, and to challenge myself in a completely new way. I studied abroad for the second semester of my junior year in high school. I made the decision to study abroad somewhat last minute, although I knew that making a big jump in my life, especially during high school, was something I had always wanted to do. I researched and even applied to a variety of programs, hoping to make my dream a reality. However, the majority of them were rather expensive, and I knew that if I were to actually go abroad, I would have to do it in a way that would work with my family's budget. I was really lucky to find Quest Exchange, because it was not only affordable, but it allowed me to go in the time frame I had available, and it worked with me in a way that made my dream of going feel possible. I went into their office in San Francisco before and after I left and got to meet with the staff there who were especially nice, and had their contacts the entire time I was abroad. I spent an amazing 5 months with a loving family, exploring numerous Italian cities within the country and surrounding countries, trying new foods, seeing new faces, and learning the language at an excelled yet extremely entertaining pace. I know that studying abroad is a different experience for everyone, especially with so many countries and time frames to choose from, but no matter what, one will always end up making unforgettable memories and growing in new ways, and so I highly recommend any who is interested to take part in this program.