Welcome to my blog! There are many adventures to come, so strap on your safety belt and grab a calming beverage.

I woke up this morning and it hit me like a ton of bricks in the face that I will wake up in Rome only a few days from now and I have done virtually nothing to prepare. Luckily, I still have a few days to get everything in order before jet-setting across the world.

For those of you who are unaware of the nature of this trip, let me give you a brief introduction: A Counselor's View of Italy is a program offered for existing counselors as well as counselors-in-training. It is designed to immerse participants in the Italian culture while educating them on the field of Counseling in Italy. While still relatively new and only recently legally recognized as a profession in Italy, Counseling is a growing field that is searching for it's place among the Italian professional landscape.

We will participate in seminars on a variety of topics in the field of Mental Health as well as leisurely touring various cities. For the majority of our trip, we will be staying in a charming villa named Casa Cares (pronounced car-es like 'mess' sans the 'm' and second 's')
For all of you curious individuals, here is a link: Casa Cares Website

After the institute concludes, the UAB group will be staying a few extra nights in Rome to explore and relax before heading back to the states to begin summer classes in June.

While this trip is certainly centered around learning about my profession in a different country and culture, for me the trip is about far more than that. It is the beginning of my journey to see the world and share the passion I have for helping others. It is about seeing things that are new and embracing a culture that is different from mine. Most importantly, this trip is about evolving, growing and learning so many things about myself that I never knew. This is the beginning of my impact on the world and I am so glad that you are all here for the ride. Enjoy!