It’s the final cappuccino (doo doo doo doo…you get the gist)

Well, this is it!

My year abroad is finally over, and I’ve made it. As I write this, I’m sat in Bologna airport drinking a cappuccio, soaking in the last few drops of Italian smells, sounds and sights before I return back to rainy dull England. What I really mean by this is that I gave myself 3 hours to get to the airport when I know for a FACT it takes 2 hours maximum, and I have nothing else to do so I thought I’d whip out my laptop. I wish it was more romantic, but even after 9 months in some of the most relaxed countries in the world, I’ve still not lost some of my British quirks. Unsurprisingly.

If there’s anyone out there who has managed to read about every single one of our adventures, failures and triumphs, thank you! Blogging through this year has been helpful for so many reasons: it’s given me a creative outlet when I was bored/unmotivated, it’s been a reason to go on trips, experience new cities, take photos, live in the moment and document those moments. To think that all my experiences, good and bad, have been documented for me to look back on in 10, 20, 50 years, is incredible. And if by chance we’ve managed to help even just one person who will be going on a year abroad in the future, I’d be thrilled!

You always hear from past students that the year abroad will be the best year of your life, you’ll make so many friends and amazing memories and come back basically a native. Well, me being me (a realist), didn’t want to have too high expectations about this year, because I knew I’d just be disappointed when I didn’t make friends, didn’t improve my language skills and didn’t get any tangible rewards. Now it may not have been the BEST year ever, but it has definitely changed me in ways I didn’t know were possible. I’ve learnt so much. Weird bits of vocab you never thought you’d need, how to navigate different transport systems (always get the app, as Annie would say), I’ve made friends, I’ve gone on trips I’ll never forget, I’ve tried new foods (and more successfully for me perhaps, managed to not eat any nuts or meat in countries that think an almond is nut free and that steak is vegetarian).

Studying abroad is so much more than the lessons. In fact, the lessons are, nine times out of ten, the least helpful bit – apart from them being a requirement to get into final year… I did pass all my modules in both semesters (apart from one which we just won’t talk about) but it really isn’t about the grades. Although special shout out to my interpreting teacher Eleonora, best module and best teacher and all round good egg.

I think I’ve been rambling on for long enough now, so I’ll end by saying that I’m so appreciative and grateful. I don’t want to get political, but I’m so sad that with potential no-deal Brexit looming, other students might not have the same funding as I got and therefore won’t be able to have all the incredible experiences.

This has been my final year abroad blog and I hope you’ve all enjoyed coming along for the ride!

Rebeka