COLUMN: A farewell
It’s always hard and complicated to find the right words to say 'farewell.'
People always find words in many other situations and contexts, but in these intense moments they just stay silent, without the self-confidence they used to have. Farewells are always full of doubts and hesitations; the unknown future always worries.
I’ve been here only one semester, but this has been one of my most deep experiences of my life. I grew up so much within such a small space of time; I learned how to appreciate and know a new culture — even if Europe and United States constitute the basis of the Western Civilization, there are still interesting and sometimes invisible differences between them.
“Carpe Diem” was my daily motto: seizing each opportunity I merged into this new world, by following what path was offered to me.
I discovered and appreciated the beauty of variety in each person I met. Everyone taught me something in their own way. Indeed, that’s what a true journalist should do: discover the uniqueness of each person and bring it to their audience, by listening to their voices.
I still remember the first day that I came here, I was astonished by how many people used cars and nobody walked on the sidewalks. How many fast food restaurants were scattered on Mission Street, how downtown Mount Pleasant resembled to me as a modern reconstruction of an old “Western” village.
I gradually realized that I was in the other part of the world, alone. I could speak English, but still I didn’t really know this land. I was deeply, profoundly ignorant about America, even after seeing tons of movies and documentaries about it. I started to be concerned about my stay here.
But I still recall the beauty of Michigan’s nature that amazed me as few things did in my life. The northern cardinal’s shining red, the thick, green woods of the parks, the wonderful chirps of birds and the incredulity to see so many squirrels around (for a European it’s really something unreal, because we only have huge flocks of pigeons in our cities.)
Then, I began to meet new and friendly faces with which I shared beautiful and memorable adventures. My shyness was gradually overcome through my job as a reporter, my classes and my fraternity commitments. I could finally talk to and meet people without feeling uncomfortable.
However, the semester lapsed so quickly. It has been a swirl of faces, words, conversations under the stars in the cold of the night, adventures without a real reason, drives into the night, meals at fast food restaurants at 3 a.m.
I’ll leave this place in less than two weeks. It will be a time of smiles, hugs and probably tears. But I’ll remember it with joy and nostalgia; this was the place that made me grow up in such little time and with which I established a strong and everlasting bond with Michigan and its people in only several months.
I’ll be graduating next semester, back in my home country, Italy, but I’m proud and happy to have spent time here. This was what I needed for my future life.
Now I’m ready to finish this chapter and begin a new one. But first let me tell all of you: Thank you from the bottom of my heart, I won’t forget you.
