I did not want to study abroad. I am very much a homebody; I love my family, I love my friends, I love the comfort of being at home. The thought of being thousands of miles, an entire ocean, away from this comfort was absolutely terrifying to me. So daunting that I almost didn’t do it. I was worried about being so homesick that I wouldn’t be able to enjoy myself. 

Despite my initial fears, studying here has been an absolute dream. I have met so many incredible people and their artistry has been inspiring me to dance, create, and work in ways I never thought possible. The structure of this program fills our days with so much creativity and joy that I almost forget to feel homesick (I still miss my loved ones across the sea, of course, but it’s a different feeling then homesickness, you know?) 

However, the last few weeks have been quite difficult for me. I’ve been in a bit of a funk, you could say. I’m tired physically, emotionally and artistically for a multitude of reasons. These feelings come up at school in America, so of course they also would in a foreign country tenfold. It’s been challenging to get through but in spite of all of this, I still find myself surprisingly at peace. 

Here I am writing this at 1:30 in the morning, in the dark, roommate asleep and feeling all of the comfort of home. I am home here. How could I not be in a place so full of the things I love. Art, good food, great company; all of the best things in life. I think a part of me will always feel like the Accademia is home and that makes all of the hard parts that much easier.

Molly – Muhlenberg College