What were you grateful for this week? 

I was grateful for the fact that I was able to spend time in Milan before starting my Italian course and actually get accustomed to a regular schedule.

What was the most difficult or challenging part of this week?
The most difficult part of this week was realizing that I had made a mistake about the starting date of my Italian course. I thought it was supposed to start today, but when I showed up for the first day the lady told me that I actually start next Monday. I was disappointed.

Tell us about a “wow” moment you had this week.
This week I brought out the rest of the games that I had brought from home for my host brother. We sat in his room and learned how to play all of the new card games and spent quality time together. 

Tell us about your week! 
This week was really fun because I met up with two other au pairs that arrived in Milan because of [Rome Abroad]. With one of them I ended up going on a morning run because she regularly runs. It had been years since I had gone on a run so it was actually very refreshing. I went out for the first time with one of my American friends and some locals I met. It was really fun even though I got lost on my way home and ended up walking in the rain for 30 minutes. 

I downloaded some language learning apps so that I could start officially learning Italian before my class starts and I have already used many of the words that I learned on the app. I enjoy teaching my host mom basic English because it goes along with my major in college. I enjoy talking to the nanny that cleans my host family’s apartment because she is an old sweet lady that isn’t afraid to make fun of me. 

I have become much more familiar with Milan due to the many walks I have done throughout the city. When I first arrived I was extremely nervous to walk through the city because I don’t speak Italian, but now I feel much better about it. I think that I am building a better relationship with my host brother as each day goes by.