I believe the greatest gift the Connect-123 experience gave me was the courage, faith, and vulnerability to truly immerse myself in something new and authentic. I traveled alone to a new country without knowing Spanish (or Catalan) and built a life for myself from the ground up. Each day, it was up to me to decide how to spend my time - whether that meant discovering new neighborhoods and historical landmarks, taking on Spanish classes, or building community through connecting with people I met at work, the local gym, restaurants, or the little shops tucked along the streets of Vila de Gràcia. This experience strengthened my ability to step outside my comfort zone and taught me to create opportunities for myself - to make life happen on my own terms.

Living abroad taught me to feel limitless - in where I can go, what I can do, and who I can become, even if it means doing it solo as a young female. During my time in Barcelona, I began taking Spanish lessons, and I’ve continued studying the language ever since. My Connect-123 experience sparked a lasting curiosity and confidence that now shape how I approach life and work. Just this past year, I spent a month living in Mallorca, and today I’m based in Miami - each chapter building on the courage and adaptability I first discovered abroad. It’s shown me that experiences from the past often have unexpected ways of preparing you for the future.

The biggest way Connect-123 shaped my life was by igniting my determination to make living and working abroad a real possibility - not just a dream. With my long-term goal of working in the EU, I realized that becoming a citizen would open more doors. Back in November 2018, I discovered I was eligible for Italian citizenship by descent and began the process. After years of research and collaboration with two agencies, my family’s case was finally completed, and in February 2025, we officially became Italian citizens.

Earning dual citizenship feels like the culmination of everything Connect-123 sparked in me - the courage to explore, the commitment to follow through, and the belief that opportunities abroad are within reach. Now, at any point in my life, I have the freedom to pursue work or life experiences in Europe, and that sense of possibility is something I’ll always credit back to my time with Connect-123.