A Journey Abroad Cut Short

By Madeline Allen

COVID-19 has changed many aspects of college life for everyone, but a group that was especially affected by the pandemic were students studying abroad. In the spring of 2020, I was studying abroad in Arezzo, Italy. With the rise of COVID-19, me and the 30 other people in my program at the University of Oklahoma in Arezzo were sent home in early March, two months before our originally scheduled return date. It was a very emotional few weeks when the decision was made to send us back. However, all of the emotions that ran through me told me just how great the time I had in Italy had been. I would not have been heartbroken if I had not loved every minute of my study abroad experience.

After returning to Oklahoma, I had to selfquarantine for two weeks, and during that time I was able to reflect on the two months I spent in Arezzo. I thought of my amazing new friends, funny traveling stories, and all the gelato I was able to eat. While I was still sad my time in Italy was cut short, I am immensely grateful I went abroad when I did. If I had not gone in the spring of 2020, I never would have been able to go. The two months I was able to live and travel in Italy helped me to grow as a person, while also giving me amazing friends and experiences for which I will always be immensely thankful.

Madeline Allen is a junior at OU. She began her spring 2020 semester studying abroad at OU's Study Center in Arezzo, Italy.