I have always went through life sandwiched between being perceived by family as a social butterfly and by myself as someone who wished going up to strangers and striking up conversation was as easy as it looked for my mom. I am someone who loves to know people deeply— to know first words and reoccuring nightmares, names of childhood pets and memories of getting pine needles stuck in their feet while decorating the Christmas tree. However, I often find myself wishing it was possible to skip past awkward handshakes and first impressions and jump into a space of comfortable conversation, because the courage needed to triumph through the former is something I find myself craving more of. There are so many moments with strangers on the street or professors after class that have left us all beaming after noting a new haircut… moments I almost walked past because the courage needed to pursue conversation felt as though it was lacking. Our generation is known as the loneliest generation, I would like to bring back the joys of knowing your neighbors and librarians and local bakers.

I had the formative experience of studying abroad this past spring in Florence, Italy. At the time, I was serving as Junior Editor-in-Chief of a student publication called River City Fashion. This provided an irrefusable opportunity to begin writing a column from abroad. One of the most rewarding aspects of journalism, I've discovered, is the pursuit of experiences and interactions with strangers I would not have otherwise approached. Armed with intense curiosity and the excitement of being in a foreign place, I was emboldened to chat with vintage shop workers in Prague, capture street style outside fashion week shows in Paris, and pursue the definitive list of "best second-hand in Firenze." Purpose gives me strength and the courage to follow the path led by my ever-inquiring mind.