1.  Hardest thing to adjust to is Italian school system:  no organization, no time schedules.  very frustrating!
2.  Took a while to set-in that this was 4 months of living, not just a vacation.  I was very weary to talk to people (Italians)
3.  As if this is home away from home.
4.  Time allowed me to feel more comfortable here.  It just takes time and an open mind.
5.  Feeling more comfortable in this foreign place, less homesick now, less bashful to talk to Italians, lean more on my religious views for comfort and familiarity.
6.  More comfortable traveling abroad in future.  New perspective on the small place we live in versus the whole world around us.  More appreciation for specific comforts (dryer)  More perspective on good differences-walking slow is enjoyable, living near family is nice.