“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” – Marcel Proust
Since she was 7 years old, Aurora dreamed of leaving her town in Italy to study abroad and travel the world. An avid foreign language enthusiast, her sights were set on studying in the United States. Through partnership with PSE, she has finally fulfilled this dream and is currently spending her 12th grade year at a public high school in Idaho.
Her local coordinator, Katie, notes how she truly hit the ground running, instantly greeting her host family with warm hugs outside of the airport terminal. This immediate connection with her host parents has laid the foundation for a truly remarkable experience in Idaho, where Aurora has been able to easily make friends and form a close bond with her host family with her shining positive attitude.
She and her host mom have especially grown close through a shared love of shopping, hair, and nails, while her host dad has shared his knowledge and skills of working on cars. A highlight for Aurora has been catching up with her host mom at the end of day, sharing stories, and laughing together.
Her local coordinator believes Aurora will continue to blossom during her year abroad. It’s especially exciting for her “to see the world that I live in through new eyes.” International travel may require thousands of miles and some initial discomfort, but it unlocks thousands of possibilities and memories, making a long voyage last a lifetime.