As I sit at the airport waiting for my flight to leave for home I am in utter amazement that 10 months ago I was doing the same thing yet with little idea of how the next months would unfold. I moved across half a country and an ocean. I have started to learn Italian, although I did have a little base going into it. I made friends from all over the world from Australia to Italy to Yemen to Japan to Taiwan, just to name a few. I can say I successfully passed my first year of medical school, only 4 more to go hahaha.
I learned alot about not only the Italian culture but also of many different Asian and European ones. I saw a Picasso exhibit. I was given the opportunity to go to Parma for a cadaver lab. I fell in love with sushi. I got in to running. I learned how to function on less then 4 hours of sleep. I did pick up a few fashion tips, twin day is not just a girl thing. I found out you can get cotton candy as big as your body. I learned that a banana is a good replacement for human skin (for sutures). I learned that the best sunday dinner is a kabob picnic. Most of all I learned greatly the value of friendship.
In Minnesota before an exam we say good luck. The italians add a bit more flair.. "in bocca al lupo" by the mouth of the wolf. You respond with "Crepi" : may it die.
On the flight home I received an email with the results of my last exam for July, Neuroanatomy, It was not as high as I wished but it was pass and for now that is good enough for me. This meant that I officially passed the year with just pharmacology left to take in september. You may advance to the next year with a max of 20 credits left to pass, pharm is only 9 credits. This exam session I passed physiology with B, Intro to surgery (my favorite class) A, Then Human morphology was worth 30 credits it had 4 exams 2 I had already taken and 2 I took in July. The sheer number of hours studying I put in during the last month and a half was I would say about the total amount I put in all of my senior year at St. Catherine University.
Once home I was surprised how tired I was. The first night I was definitely jet lagged because I was up at 3 am after that it was just sheer exhaustion. I would wake up, eat, walk around my house, do a few things then have to take a nap or lay down. This went on for about a week where I couldn't even move I was so tired all the time. I managed to not get sick which was a win for me as that is my usual MO after exams. I feel like I can finally breath again which is nice hahaha. I was surprised how much quieter it is in Minnesota. I didn't realize it before.
Just before I left I signed for a new apartment in milan with two great roommates :) it should be fun I can't wait to move in :D I am missing Milan a bit. Do not get me wrong it is wonderful being home I love my family and friends here and would not change it for the world, but I did make a life for myself in Milan. I miss the simple things like walking to the store for lunch and getting 50 grams of spicy salami and a panini roll all for like 2 euros max. I miss the people although sometimes they drive me crazy I love all of my friends back in Milan like family. This is going to sound crazy but I miss riding the metro and the ease of getting downtown where there is always something todo. All that being said I am glad to be home. It has been a hard long 10 months in every aspect socially, physically and academically with its ups and downs. I've learned many things but the most important I think is that no one can do life successfully all by them selves. We need each other to help and support us in all aspects of our lives. I would like to thank both my Minnesota friends and family who have supported me thus far in my life who I took for granted before I left them as well as my Milan family who where there for the good times and bad the past year. I can not wait to see what is in store for us over the next four year. This will be my last post until next academic year so have a great summer and see you in the autumn.
xoxoTill We Meet Again,
-M-
