Well… It’s here. The day is finally here.

Today is the first day of my travels. Today is the day that I’ve been waiting for maybe four months now, ever since I was generously awarded a scholarship from the UofH Italian department to study in Siena for the month of August, then later accepted into a year-long internship program in Milan as a teaching assistant beginning in October.

Unfortunately, as I found out just a few days ago, the internship position didn’t work out because of visa issues and policy changes that are too bureaucratic to get into. But nevertheless, not even a week before leaving the country I was told that I would not be given the position.

So what now? Do I just come home after August?

Okay, well, classes begin in a few weeks, the courses I need are all full, and most importantly I’ve been in the mindset of taking a break from university and living abroad for the past four months.

Very well, say I go home and work; earn some money? As great as that sounds, I’ve been working long hours to save for an opportunity that I thought I had. God knows I’m not going back to just repeat the paradoxical work cycle without even experiencing what I saved up to do in the first place.

So that’s how I decided.

I will study in Siena during August, and I will stay.

This is my moment. As cliché as it sounds, this break from university and work is my chance to discover new things about myself, about different cultures, and about humanity. To meet new people, exchange stories and ideas, and say yes to everything.

I don’t know how long I’ll be gone or where I’m going to go, but I’m considering my options.