By Mia Perez, Public Relations Intern
So many students have the desire to study abroad, but don’t due to the fear of going alone. Hopping on a plane headed to a new country, with all new people can be extremely daunting to do. Luckily for you, one of our very own DIRECT Florence students, Coco Kennedy (a 2nd year student at the University of Texas) is here to tell you: DO IT! She took that leap of faith and was left with nothing short of an amazing time and many new stories.
Coco’s biggest fear was fitting in. The worry and anxiety that comes with meeting new people (some of whom signed up for the Florence trip together and already knew each other) she knew all too well. The second she arrived and met everyone she knew this was the program for her. “I made friends in an instant. Everybody understood: we were only together in this incredible place for 2 weeks, nobody should feel left out. From the moment I met the first groups of girls from the program, I knew I would be more than okay. The entire point of the program was to experience new places, new people, and a new purpose — it was never about popularity or pretentiousness.”
Community is one of the core “promises” that LeadAbroad makes to students joining our programs. We have a variety of tools, events and programs to ensure that you build relationships with the other students in your program. Whether you are signing up with a group of friends or joining us without knowing a soul, by the end of the first week you will make meaningful connections with fellow students that often grow into lifelong friendships. Our DIRECT Florence students created a sense of community from the beginning which is the perfect reflection of this promise. Whether it’s four weeks or a week and a half, our students make the most of EVERY moment with EVERYONE.
Even while signing up for DIRECT Florence alone, Coco was able to find her community and be able to experience a new city alongside girls she would quickly call her best friends. Between learning how to make pasta, visiting historical monuments and buildings and trying new foods she grew herself and friendships, thriving in a way she never had before. “Everything in my life has been changed. I look at architecture differently, I eat my food slower, I take time to smell the world around me deeper. In terms of personal growth, I feel a stronger sense of security within myself. I am more sure that the person I am today is a good person, with values adventure and friendship and kindness.” This trip for Coco was about more than just meeting people. It was about learning about herself. She learned she can do hard things and go alone to a new country. She can immerse herself in a program and get the most out of it. She can discover more about herself and what’s important to her. She can make the best memories with the best people. “I was completely independent! I was able to make every decision on my own and build relationships with other girls that I may not have if I already had friends on the program with me. I really tried to branch out and meet as many people as I could, and going alone really assisted me with that.”
In the end, the goal of this experience was for Coco to find herself and her best friends, and she did just that. “I don’t know how I got so lucky to have spent such a short amount of time with my groups of girls, but I truly am so thankful for Lead Abroad for bringing us together.” Hearing Coco’s story is inspiring and one that anyone hesitant to study abroad alone should hear! Whether you’re going with a group or friends or by yourself, LeadAbroad will build a community and a home away from home for ALL of our students. We hope you get to become one soon! Thank you Coco for letting us share your story. We are so glad you enjoyed your time in Florence, welcome to the LeadAbroad family!
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