Before my first pre-departure class for the Trulaske study abroad program in Italy, I had a clear picture of what the experience would look like. I had signed up with one close friend, someone I met during my freshman year in a BA 1500 class, who had encouraged me to apply in the first place. I imagined a small, travel experience with just the two of us. That expectation shifted the moment I walked into the auditorium for our first meeting. My friend’s row was completely full, and I found myself sitting alone. Slightly disappointed, I chose a seat near two students I hadn’t met before. Naturally, I struck up a conversation. By the end of the class, we were already making travel plans. Just like that, my group of two quickly expanded to four. That night, I began building our itinerary and travel calendar.

Everything went smoothly, until week three, when we were asked to finalize our roommate selections. The two new friends decided to room together, and my original friend had plans to live with someone she would be rooming with the following semester. That left me without a roommate. She suggested a random student she had met at a flight information session. With no other options, I took the chance, and with that, our group grew to a merry six. A week later, my friend asked if two of her male friends could join the group. And just like that, our final group grew to an even merrier eight, quite the jump from my original plan of two.

When we finally arrived in Italy, all of the planning I had done was ready to be put into action. Aside from my original friend, I had only met the others once or twice. But after our first group dinner, everything fell into place with ease. Together, we tackled all kinds of travel challenges like train strikes, lodging issues, managing academic responsibilities and staying within each others’ respective budget. Whatever came our way, we found a solution as a team. Of course, not everything went according to plan. Only about half of my carefully designed itinerary came to life. Our day trip to Rome, for instance, was canceled due to overcrowding from the Jubilee, out-of-budget train costs and a lost reservation for a tour I had booked months in advance. At the time, it felt like a disaster. But it turned out to be a blessing.

Because of the lost day in Rome, we spent an extra night in Florence, which became one of the most memorable evenings of the trip. We also planned to visit Switzerland, but for several reasons, it didn’t work out. That canceled excursion led us to discover a villa in Lake Garda instead. This villa turned out to be a hidden gem that became the setting for some of our most meaningful moments as a group. Throughout the experience, I learned how to manage uncertainty, adapt quickly and trust others. As someone who typically prefers to solve problems independently, I found tremendous value in collaborating with my group and relying on each other’s strengths. For example: I learned my strength lied in booking our accommodations, while my other friends excelled at tackling transportation logistics. We were a dream team. What started as a trip for two became a journey shared by eight, and it turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life.

The most important lesson I took away is this: Sometimes, the moments that feel like setbacks are simply opportunities in disguise. If that row hadn’t been full on day one, I never would have met two of my new closest friends. If I had roomed with my original friend, I wouldn’t have met my current friend and roommate. If we had stuck to our plan and gone to Rome, we would have missed out on an unforgettable night in Florence. To anyone preparing for a study abroad experience remember to embrace the unexpected, remain flexible and look for the silver linings. As it turns out, it’s the unplanned moments that become the most meaningful memories.

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Learn more about this blogger’s study abroad program: Business: Italy