My first trip to Europe was so great that I really want to go again! I learned so much more about Italian culture and history by visiting places than I could have if I would have read a thousand books. Visiting the cathedrals was one of the best parts because I go to see the spectacular cathedrals that were built in medieval times. I got to be able to tell the difference between the short heavy Romanesque style and the Gothic style that reached to the sky with all of its points.

I really want to go back because even though I learned a lot, I could still learn much more. This year during the first few days of the trip I saw a lot without leaving Vercelli. As our group traveled away from Vercelli into the large cities, we got to be around even more history and learn even more. Next year I hope that my Italian host will take me to the medieval city of Venice, the Renaissance city of Florence, or the Roman city of Rome. I want to go there because these are some of the places that define Italy, and it would be awesome to be able to experience just one of those cities.

I also want to go next year because the group next year will get to go to Munich. I have always wanted to visit a major World War Two place. Being in Munich and visiting the places that I have read about in books will be something that I will always remember. Being there will reinforce everything that I have read in books. When I am in college, I want to study to become a history teacher. I think that I will learn so much here that it will help me in my years to come. I think that because I know that this year I learned as much medieval history in three weeks as I did in my world history class.

I can speak a little bit of Italian now because of the trip. Another reason I want to go next year is because I do not want to lose the language that I have picked up. The only way that I can practice it and learn more is if I go again next year. I am now in Spanish three, and I think the trip has motivated me to learn as much Spanish as I can to become a fluent Spanish speaker. I think that if the Europeans can be fluent in about three languages every American should try to be fluent in at least one other language.

During the trip I grew closer to the friends that I had at the beginning of the trip. I really liked everyone that I was a friend with, but the trip made me love them even more. Every time I look at my pictures I remember all of the great times that we has together and all of the memories that we share. Even sometimes the teachers did not seem to be teachers but as friends and family.

I really want to thank Mrs. Hott, Mr. Moore, and Ms. Biser so much for taking our group to a foreign country and making the trip so memorable. Also, thank you to all of the Italian coordinators who made sure that out trip was excellent. I know that if I get to go next year that the trip will have a lot to live up to, but I am sure that it will surpass last year. I could write a million pages on why I want to go and how I could benefit from it, so please let me go!