Even though the end of my sophomore year was completely different from that of my freshman year, I could not be happier thinking of the progress I made from August to May. I genuinely learned countless life lessons this year in regard to family, friends, education, and being yourself. To all the people that made this adventure in Chicago both exciting and strenuous, I thank you, because I’ve learned that every experience whether positive or negative helps mold who you are as an individual. With plans to return to Italy next fall and intentions of expanding my writing beyond the blogosphere with my first novel; I could not feel grateful for those who have impacted and inspired my journey and I hope to one day impact or hopefully inspire yours.

JUNE 4

Year in Review | Chicago 

Est: Miami-2011

    It’s been quite a roller coaster ride of a journey over the past two years, living between Rome, Chicago, and my hometown of Miami. Had one asked me years ago, what I envisioned university life to be like; I would have never imagined myself living abroad, moving to the Midwest, or even joining a fraternity. It takes opportunities such as living on your own or moving somewhere out of your comfort zone in order to truly discover who you are as a person. Had I not moved to Italy straight out of high school or continued studying at Loyola in Chicago, I don’t think I would be the same person I am today. My excitement for travel, adventure, and new experiences is what I feel made my past two years so worth while in the end. 

    With the beginning of every new year, comes a laundry list of new resolutions, new plans, and new challenges. For me, moving to the windy city of Chicago was the biggest challenge I faced after having just experienced a year abroad in Rome. Starting my sophomore year at Loyola’s main campus in Chicago in many respects felt like being the new kid at school. Bringing a laissez-faire attitude towards the transition was probably the best way in which I could have handled starting anew. Having zero expectations when it came to both Loyola and Chicago made my appreciation for both places that much stronger throughout the course of the year. 

EDGE OF TRAVEL

    When Chicago became new zip code in the US, I still wanted to bring that European sense of discovery and adventure I acquired in Italy to the midwestern metropolis. Exploring the city’s varied neighborhoods became my new weekly assignment as an aspiring travel writer. From the northern suburb of Evanston down to Chinatown, Chicago’s eclectic neighborhoods are about as diverse as the inhabitants that populate them. When I discovered the West Loop this past January, it soon became my favorite hangout spot on the weekends of after class downtown. The area is located directly west of the Loop about a mile and is known throughout the city for being home to some of Chicago’s most renown restaurants. I resonated with the West Loop in many ways, because its industrial architecture and edgy vibe reminded me a lot of the Meatpacking District in New York. The Allis, an avant-garde English inspired tea room inside the exclusive Soho House members club was another reason why I fell in love with the unique area. Visiting The Allis for coffee and an hour of writing, practically became a weekly ritual after my afternoon class downtown. Making The Soho House a part of my weekly routine was one of the several ways in which I started to feel like a local in this midwestern jungle.