Duke University Office of Study Abroad

Dear Global Education Office:

This is a picture of a fresh fruit market in Venice, Italy. Sure, they have grocery stores there, but nothing beats the food you buy from the morning markets. Food in Italy just tastes better, simple dishes taste extraordinary. Maybe it is the lust for life of the Italian people, the fine sea air blowing into the city from the lagoon, the beautiful surroundings, or maybe the ingredients are just fresher. I prefer to think it is a combination of all of those things.

While in Venice, I was lucky enough to have a professor who loved Italian culture so much that she wanted to share it with us at every opportunity. She brought us to this market. Every Friday, she took us on day trips to other cities in Italy, so we could get a broader scope of the culture. She made sure we all attended the Venice Biennale, an amazing international art exhibition, and an experience that I will never forget. She even invited us over to her apartment on the canal to try a selection of Italian food prepared by her son-in-law, who just happens to be a professional chef!

What I learned in Venice, more than anything, was to let life be an adventure. Take risks. Try every opportunity. Do not be afraid to strike out on your own. Be flexible. Travel without a schedule or a plan or even return tickets. Allow yourself to get lost, and enjoy finding your way back.

-Savannah McMullen