Kirsten's Top 10

10. I'm excited to gain 20 pounds. Not really gain 20 pounds, but eat so much good food that I gain 20 pounds. I love Italian food, so it'll be nice to expand my horizons past Olive Garden.

9. I've never been anywhere out of the country really. I've been across the border of Arizona to Mexico for a day, but all there was there were people begging so I don't really count that. I know that being somewhere like Italy will blow my mind.

8. I'm excited to learn Italian somewhat. I don't know from experience, but I've heard that there's no better way to learn a language than to drop yourself in an environment surrounded by it. I think the language is beautiful so it'll be cool to even learn the little bit that I will.

7. I'm excited to explore. Exploring a place that's so incredibly different in culture will be absolutely amazing. I hope I get lost.

6. I'm very excited for Florence. In high school, I took an art history class. There's so much in Florence that I've always thought was amazing so I'm excited to see the things I studied in person.

5. Being in a nursing major, my class schedule is booked until I graduate. When I register for classes, they show me what I'm taking and ask me what times. Music is a huge part of my life; I've been playing piano for 13 years and have a passion for it, so that's one huge reason i wanted to go on this trip. Where is better to study music than Italy? Plus Vivaldi is my hero, so I'm excited to see where he came from.

4. I was raised Catholic, so seeing some of these amazing cathedrals with so much history will mean a lot to me.

3. The history. America hasn't been around too long, so I can't even comprehend seeing things that were built in the 1300's. I'm excited to explore some of these museums and stand in places that important history took place.

2. I've never been to operas, so I'm excited to experience them. I'm not so sure I'm thrilled about sitting for almost 6 hours, but at least I'll be able to say I went to a 6 hour opera once. That might be a good icebreaker.

1. Wine. I don't think I need to say much more.