Let's start at the beginning

In a little more than 4.5 months I will be moving to Rome, Italy. I will be there for at least 3 years. It's been fun to watch people's reactions when I tell them and inevitably the question becomes: what is taking you to Rome? So, I thought it best to get that question out of the way as I begin this crazy adventure!

I lived outside of Venice for a summer in high school. It was one of the most incredible experiences of my life as I was able to travel the northeastern part of the country, live with two amazing families, and spend a week at camp with kids my age from all over the world. I fell in love with Italy that summer.Then, in the summer of 2007, my family went to Italy for a 2 week vacation. It was like coming home after an extended absence and I didn't want to leave. So, I asked the Lord if I could please move to Italy. I'm not married, don't have any kids, so there was nothing really to stop me from moving there for a time. All I asked was that I have 2 years to prepare and get my life in order before I do it. So, imagine my surprise when my friend, Anthony, told me last May about a job posting that Geneva College had for an RD in Rome. 

I sent in my materials and waited (and not always very patiently) for the long process of interviewing to begin and end. I submitted everything last June, had a phone interview in July, flew to PA for an on-campus interview in August, and was hired in September. I have known since last September that I would be moving to Rome...these last 7 or so months have seemed impossibly long and ridiculously fast as I move towards Rome. 

I will be working in Rome for Geneva College running the student and residence life sides of their new study abroad program. The program is being housed in a convent in Rome (trust me...these are not the kind of nuns you imagine!) and we'll have 18 students our first semester. I will be responsible for the students' housing, legal matters, activities, etc. There is one other individual, a professor, from Geneva with me in Rome. Otherwise, I'm on my own with the students. It's going to be a" rough" three years as I plan field trips to Venice, Florence, Sorrento, Pompeii, Tuscany, and more! 

I cannot even begin to express how excited, blessed, overwhelmed, nervous, and scared I am for this incredible and mind-blowing opportunity. This blog will serve as a way to bring those I leave behind with me....so, check in with me as I navigate my way through life in Italy. It promises to be an amazing adventure. Questo è la mia vita di sogno!