When I first arrived in Siena, I was feeling study abroad out. I had just returned from spending a month and a half in Ghana, and honestly, I was a little sad that I wouldn't get to spend one last fall term in Eugene. Quickly, I had to learn to change that mindset, because I couldn't change where I was. Soon enough, I fell in love with Siena. I loved sharing a room with my roommate Bri, waking up to our beautiful view, and going to my favorite coffee shop, where they knew my order. I loved being able to call Siena my home.
One of the biggest differences between my life at home and my experience abroad has been the community surrounding me. At home, my community is very Christian-based, and I feel incredibly blessed to have it. I am surrounded by other Christians multiple times a week, whether through church, Bible studies, or simply spending time with friends who share my faith. In Siena, I have also been blessed with wonderful friends who have made this experience so special. Because I'm not surrounded by my typical community, I've had to be more intentional about spending time with God and prioritizing my relationship with Him. Honestly, this experience has enriched my faith. It has reminded me that while a strong Christian community is such a blessing, I still have to pursue a relationship with God on my own each day.
Interestingly, despite being in a different environment, I don't think people perceive me very differently. I think many people in my program, as well as people I've met throughout my time abroad, would describe me as a positive person. This is because of my faith in Jesus Christ. I believe people see me the same way because my identity at home and abroad will always be intertwined; my faith is the foundation of who I am, no matter where I am in the world. I choose, or at least try, to remain positive each day because each day is a gift! I learned this from my mom, a Ukrainian refugee: while she didn't have much growing up, she chose to be resilient because of her faith in Jesus and to approach each day with joy.
I've learned from this experience that not everything is as big as it seems. We often let small inconveniences or difficult moments dictate how we feel, forgetting how much we have to be grateful for. Whenever I got frustrated, I reminded myself that I was in Italy and what a gift that was to me. Studying abroad has reminded me that while I may be across the world experiencing a totally different life, I choose my experience. I wish I could have told myself this in Ghana. Relax! Everything will be alright. So now I choose to be joyful and enjoy each day that I am given. Because what else can I do?
-Abigail Shewaye, Diverse Ducks Ambassador