I underestimated how difficult this abroad experience would be. Maybe this is why everyone calls it an experience instead of an adventure or an incredible journey.

Whenever the Programs Abroad people told students to understand they will feel culture shock and get homesick, I never thought this would apply to me. I remember saying to myself, "Well, I'm glad I don't have to worry about that." Boy, was I wrong.

By the time I got there, my spirits were so down in the dumps that there was no point in denying the feeling that I made a mistake.My first day in Milan, I was exhausted from being on a plane for roughly 10 hours and I still had to find the International Relations Office, which is where my apartment keys were. Trying to find the office, I got lost for about an hour. I was so miserable, dragging all of my luggage up and down the trendy streets of Milan without a clue about the direction I was supposed to be going.

I finally found two men to point me in the right direction using my meager Italian language skills. My hands hurt so much from dragging my luggage I couldn't even grip my bags anymore. When I finally made it to the office my day was far from over.

At the office, I had to be caught up on all the information I missed out on in the orientation. After a few hours of paperwork and paying for things, I was driven to my apartment. By the time I got there, my spirits were so down in the dumps that there was no point in denying the feeling that I made a mistake.

The next day didn't get any better. I had to return to the IRO office and, again, I got lost. I have never really felt helpless until I arrived in Italy. Because I am the only student from UT in this program, there was no one for me to lean on or joke about the situation with either.

The second the church come into view my jaw literally dropped. It was one of the most magnificent things I have ever seen before.The following day, my roommate and I decided we needed to go out and see the city. She had been to Milan before, so she told me I had to see the Duomo, one of the most  famous churches in the world. Desperate for a friend, I agreed and was excited to at least have someone to get lost with.

We rode the tram, then the subway toward the direction of the Duomo. I wasn't sure what to expect. The church I attend in Houston is pretty big, so I was thinking it had to be about three times the size of that. Again, boy was I wrong.

As we turned the corner after getting off the metro, my roommate, Elena, said, "It is just around this corner." The second the church come into view my jaw literally dropped. It was one of the most magnificent things I have ever seen before.

The grandeur and architecture were so breathtaking. I couldn't believe I was actually standing in front of this incredible structure.

At that moment it hit me. Although my experience hadn't been quite as easy as I expected, to say the least, I was here to broaden my horizons. Not only am I supposed to see amazing things, but to do things I've never done before.

To some people that may mean traveling to a new place, but I think for me it means being completely out of my element. I usually adapt so easily to situations that, personally, I think I needed a real challenge.

Seeing the Duomo reminded me that this experience isn't supposed to be easy. If it turns out it's a breeze, fantastic. If not, the important lesson is that trying something new and making a change is half the battle. I've just got to have faith.