Thanks so much for kpeieng us in the loop. It helps to see where our contributions go and it gives those of us (me) the opportunity to live vicariously through you and your experiences. You are truly an inspiration to us all!

Paula,
Your post touched off some fond memories this morning. My travel abroad experience was somewhat different as I was a broke college grad - so I joined the Peace Corps. This 2 year immersion forced me to recalibrate my view of world on many levels, i.e., the assumptions we carry through live without ever seriously challenging them, living as a white person in a 98% black community, self-worth judged by wealth verses character, etc. My experience set me on a new road that I may have never had the opportunity to travel and still savor 34 years later.

Tom

Paula,
I'm reading your comment on Rome and Study Abroad Students while my youngest boy (17 yo), living in Novara, Italy, is on the edge of booking an yearly exchange student course, in USA or in Australia.
I want you to know that I'll have him immediately reading it, becouse you captured and smarly described the essence of staying abroad and the huge benefits that such an experiece has to youngsters in search for their identity.
Having had the opportunity of staing abroad only when bigger part of my working life has gone, I deeply regret not to have had the same opportunity.
All the best,
Pier