I love it here.

Milan is so amazing I don't think I'd ever want to leave. Just a month in, and this experience has surpassed all of my expectations. Yes people would think I'm missing out on a good live company project back in Kent, or missing out on all these new skills people are picking up but the way I see things, I don't think anything can be better than this.

For the first time in my life, I am living life.

I've done so many things I never thought I would ever do. So many firsts. And honestly, if you were to tell me I'd do all this a couple months back, I'd think you were crazy. There's no way in hell that would be happening and yet here I am, a month in, and everything's changed. For the better or worse, it doesn't matter because I'm having a ball of a time. I can't even describe it in a way that would do this experience justice. It's simply that amazing. 

You'd say it's too early to say it but I'm still going ahead, I know this is going to be the best 3, 4 months of my life. It just makes me think what have I been doing with my life the past 20 years, to only get to experience life for real, at 20. But then again I suppose it's part of why this experience is all the more amazing. 

I've met so many people. So many new faces, done so many new things, adventures, experiences, crazy times, everything. I think the best part of this experience is the people I've met. You meet the most amazing people on exchange and when you meet such people, you end up forming such great connections and memories you have an even more amazing (excuse the overuse of the word!) time. It's true when they say exchanges would be one of the best times of your life. Funny enough, it seems to be a "thing" here where people would tell you all the time, "who cares, you're erasmus! do anything!" Live life to the fullest, basically. I think it's been said so much to me it's beginning to get to me. 

Why worry about what's going to happen tomorrow, or the future. I'll just take each day as it goes, and live for today and worry about tomorrow, tomorrow. 

It's funny because I'm broke too. I've been living off 3 euro sandwiches and the vending machine for my meals for the past 3 weeks yet I'm still so happy. I don't think I've ever been this happy in a very long time. Whatever I have been doing the past 20 years, I definitely was not living life. Merely surviving. Not to sound all great and mighty, but this made me realise that money isn't everything. Yes it would be an absolute dream to not have to worry about money and to go wherever I wish, dine out like a king everyday but oddly enough, I almost appreciate the low budget I'm living on now (apart from the days when you're just dying for a decent meal and you can't afford it!). It's all part of the experience, the erasmus experience. Living in expensive milan with a tight budget, you make things work and somehow you manage to survive one way or another while still living life and as you can see now, clearly enjoying my time here despite the lack of funds.

I don't think I could ever ask for anything more. Maybe some luck with guys! 

I'll say it now, I didn't believe it a month ago when people told me you'd end up a changed person yet I'm going to say it right now, I have changed. I would like to think for the better too. I don't think I've completely changed but I've been asked by a friend, "think about a month ago, would you do what you are doing now?" and judging from that, I suppose I am a different person now because it's true, what I've done the past month, I would have never dreamt or thought of doing it ever. 

So to make it clear, it's been proven, no matter how hard you try to fight it, you end up a changed person. 

And to think I almost gave this amazing opportunity a miss a month ago, what was I thinking. So a little advice to all those out there hesitating on an exchange/semester abroad, regardless of what you're thinking (flights and accommodation being the biggest hassle ever, language problems, whatever you're telling yourself to convince yourself it isn't a good idea), take a leap of faith, jump right into it two feet in! It's a once in a lifetime opportunity that you'd never regret, and it will definitely be something you'll remember forever. I know ten years from now (scary thought but yes!), I'd look back at this and think, I've had the craziest 4 months of my life with no regrets. You'll learn, grow and change so much as a person. 

That's all I can say, take a chance and run with it, it'll be the best decision you ever make! And a shout out to my friend Joycelyn for being the decision maker on this one, I owe you a big one!