Ciao Milano!
I am here, I am alive, and I am ready to explore. Meeting my host family was one of the most nerve wracking experiences of my life, but they are the nicest people and treat me as I am their fifth child. I have my own room and communication with my family has improved from both ends. They are learning to speak more english while I have started my Italian class and am slowly (very slowly) starting to transition. I have transitioned well, I think at least, as I am making new friends, going out and exploring the city of Milan, and trying to remember I am here for four months and do not have to see everything in a day.
Living in a home stay I believe is one of the best decisions I have made for my trip thus far. Being welcomed into a family who speaks Italian all the time (I think this will help with me learning a new language) having the traditional meals, and getting used to and adjusted to how life works in a different country. I am completely throwing myself into a new situation and learning a whole new culture. I have been fortunate enough to have gone on a mini trip to my families lake house on Lake Maggiore and gotten to spend more time just relaxing and getting to know them better. I also love the fact I get to live with other children (ages 5-18) who I can learn from and I can help teach. They have helped me with pronouncing words, homework, and have even put sticky-notes on items around the house with the Italian word on them to help me learn. Can they get an cuter?
I am getting excited for my internship to take place. We have already had our mock interviews with IES and now I am patiently waiting to get the email saying I hopefully (fingers crossed) have a real interview with a company here. I am excited to start working for a company in my field of study (graphic design) and learn how working in a different country is different from my own.
I am getting more excited to start all my classes and start this journey in Milano as an American student transitioning into the Italian lifestyle.
Ciao! Ciao!
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Courtney Smith
<p><span style="color: rgb(29, 29, 29); font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; background-color: rgb(237, 237, 237);">Courtney is a senior at Pacific Lutheran University in Parkland, Washington majoring in Graphic Design. In her free time she loves to go out and explore new places, never leaving home without her camera and notebook to document those moments. She also loves to play volleyball and do craft projects. She is catching the travel bug after traveling to Dubai earlier this year and is excited to study in Milan and travel around Europe. Photography and writing are a true passion of hers and she hopes to share her adventures and thoughts while in Europe through this blog.</span></p>
