You might be surprised to know that my adventures in education abroad started late. As an undergrad student in Cincinnati, I never really thought about pulling up roots to spend a lot of time in a foreign country. I loved to travel in the States, I had friends, a job, and hobbies… Yet, that all changed dramatically after I met a young woman who would eventually be the catalyst for everything I am proud of in this world.

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We dated for a bit in Cincinnati, then one day, she let me know that she had bigger plans: taking off for a study abroad semester in Spain! I talked her into letting me come visit. I saved up and went. It was a transformative moment - a true epiphany. I was absolutely and irrevocably smitten with both Europe and the young lady. It didn't take long for me to begin to imagine a new reality in which every view was unique; every bend in the sidewalk was uncharted territory; every meal was a mystery; and where my basis for loving someone revolved around shared experiences that would stand the test of time. I had found my yellow brick road, and along the way, that young lady became my wife Charlotte, who many of you know as the Director of Student Affairs at OUA.

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Tempis fugit.... Italy is now our home. Our two sons, Max and Alessio were born and raised here and they are now well-positioned to be future global citizens. It has been an incredible adventure and there are many benefits to the job, and our life as a family. We have been with OU for almost 15 years now and I am delighted to say that as we grow professionally, Max and Alessio grow emotionally. Because of their connectedness to OU students and faculty, they understand the importance of empathy and inclusion as well as the dangers of ignorance. They cherish diversity since they are an integral part of that. They have learned to appreciate uniqueness and individuality because of the wonderfully diverse student body at OUA.

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I hope you get the chance to get educated abroad, too!