In this video, I’m reflecting on what living in Bologna (and Italy in general) has taught me—because I’m leaving soon and moving back to the U.S. It’s not a goodbye forever (I’ll be back when I can), but I wanted to pause and really talk about the lessons that came from building a life here while learning Italian. The biggest thing I’ve realized is that fluency is emotional, not just practical. Language learning forces you to face embarrassment, confidence, and identity. And honestly, some of my proudest moments were the “small” wins—like walking into a place, speaking right away, and having people respond to me in Italian. I also talk about how immersion doesn’t automatically make you fluent. You don’t “pick up” a language with zero effort—you still have to study, practice, and put yourself out there. Being here did give me access to real Italian: slang, dialect differences, and the way people actually speak. Italy also taught me a slower rhythm—quality over quantity—and that there’s no finish line with language learning. The best progress I made wasn’t from obsessing over grammar; it was from connecting with people, making friends, solo traveling, and building relationships (including with my boyfriend, who was a huge part of my Italian journey).