Hi, it's Morgan Pagel from Siena, Italy and I am having a great time abroad! I have met so many incredible people and have had so many amazing experiences. From Cinque Terre to Pisa, I have loved all my adventures so far! It has completely blown my mind to what a study abroad experience could be.
The hardest part for me going abroad is not being able to workout and eat my usual meals. It's hard for me to stray outside my norm and I am definitely outside my comfort zone. Meal times and cuisine are drastically different from what I’m used to and I find it hard to accept walking as my form of exercise. Although these thoughts pop up sometimes, I still feel as if going abroad was worth it.
I feel pretty connected to the community and culture around me. I haven’t had any major struggles around meal time and I haven’t missed out on trying new things. It is difficult to constantly be eating outside of my regular meals and to always be eating in front of my peers. Even though going abroad has its challenges, I feel as though I have faced them head on and come out victorious.
These experiences have taught me that it’s ok to venture outside my comfort zone. I can try new things and eat new meals without my whole world falling apart. I have definitely realized just how strong I am. For anyone struggling with eating and food, just know that you are not alone. There are plenty of people willing to listen to your struggles and provide support for your needs. Italy is a beautiful place full of experiences. Don’t let your food struggles define you. Ciao!
Morgan Pagel, Diverse Duck Ambassador
