I've been in Rome for a little over a month, and haven't been pickpocketed yet. However, today I had my water bottle stolen by the Swiss Guard.

It's just one example of the unexpected things that can happen in a foreign country. Before you leave, your parents over-prepare you for the worst. But no matter how prepared you are, events happen that can completely change what you had planned. Nothing goes completely smoothly, but nothing goes completely wrong either. It's not bad; it's just part of the experience.

I have the privilege to be spending the first half of this fall semester in Rome, Italy and the second half in Athens, Greece through my university, The College of Saint Benedict. While here, I get to study everything I'm interested in, from Art History to Theology, to History, to the Italian and Greek languages. Our classes are mostly all on-site, in various historical places throughout Rome and Athens.

While this concept is amazing, physically arriving at our classes here is half the battle. Crossing busy streets where the cars don't stop for you, packed public transportation, and unexpected bus strikes are just a few of the challenges here. Yet, I've made it to every one of my classes (no more than twenty minutes late). It's a roller-coaster, but it's a fun one. I can't wait to see how the rest of my semester plays out.