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April 15, 2026

Money Comes Back, But Time Doesn’t

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I didn’t realize how true the phrase “money comes back, but time doesn’t” was until I got here. Studying abroad isn’t always as perfect as it looks on Instagram. There have been moments where things didn’t go as planned, or I felt stressed and overwhelmed. Between the unexpected challenges, the constant planning, and the money, it’s easy to get caught up in everything that feels hard.

But when I stop and think about it, all of those little struggles don’t compare to what I’ve gained from being here. This study abroad experience has changed me in ways I didn’t expect. It’s pushed me outside of my comfort zone, shown me more of the world than I ever imagined, and has given me moments I’ll carry with me forever.

All of this shows me that while money is something you can always earn back, time and experiences like these only come once in a lifetime. And there’s no price you could ever put on the memories I’ve made here.

Yes, I could be a few thousand dollars richer…but then I wouldn’t have:

Seen the birthplace of St. Francis of Assisi 

Ridden a camel in the Sahara Desert

Swam in the blue lagoon in Malta 

Hosted my best friends in Rome, Italy

Seen a European soccer match 

Drank beer in Brussels, Belgium 

Shopped at the markets in Marrakech, Morocco 

Walked by the canals in Amsterdam, Netherlands

Visited my best friend in Granada, Spain

Taken a solo trip to Tivoli, Italy

Visited a library that inspired Beauty and the Beast in Vienna, Austria

Seen the parliament building at night in Budapest, Hungary

Had wine tastings in Umbria, Italy

Climbed to the top of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France

Shown my family around my hometown for the last 3 months

Crystal-clear turquoise water in the Blue Lagoon off the coast of Malta, with sunlight creating shimmering patterns across the bottom. In the center, a girl smiles while floating and raising one arm in the calm sea. In the background, a group of people in red kayaks paddle near warm, rocky cliffs that surround the cove. The scene captures a peaceful, carefree moment in a stunning coastal setting.
Blue Lagoon in Malta
In a vertical wide-angle shot, the interior of a massive soccer stadium—the Stadio Olimpico in Rome—is captured from high up in the stands during a match between Lazio and AC Milan. The perspective looks down onto the bright green pitch, where players can be seen as small figures positioned across the field. The stadium’s seating is tiered and packed with a sea of spectators, creating a vibrant atmosphere under the glow of powerful floodlights. Across the stadium on the far side, a massive LED screen displays the match details and current score against the night sky. The sheer scale of the architecture, with its sweeping curves and rows of white seating, highlights the grand energy of a European soccer match. The bright white lights of the stadium contrast sharply with the dark blue evening sky visible just beyond the stadium’s rim.
Lazio vs. AC Milan
A vertical portrait captures a young woman standing on a brick canal-side path in Amsterdam. She is positioned in the lower right foreground, looking back over her shoulder with a warm smile. She has long, wavy brown hair and is dressed in a cozy, oversized pale-yellow sweater paired with a long, tiered white maxi skirt. The dark, still water of a canal flows through the center of the frame, reflecting the cloudy, overcast sky above. On the opposite bank, a row of iconic Amsterdam canal houses stands tall, featuring traditional narrow facades in shades of dark charcoal, brown, and brick-red with classic white window frames and gabled roofs. Several small boats and a white canal cruiser are moored along the far edge. Bare-branched trees line the street behind the canal, adding a touch of early spring texture to the urban landscape.
The canals in Amsterdam
A vertical landscape photo captures a quiet, narrow street in the medieval town of Assisi, Italy. The street is paved with dark grey stones and gently curves downhill, lined on both sides by tall, historic buildings made of warm, sand-colored stone. The architecture is classic Italian, featuring small windows with dark shutters and stone archways. On the left, several terracotta flower pots are mounted to the walls, adding small touches of green and red to the earthy tones of the stone. On the right, lush green vines and bushes grow against the buildings, partially covering the ancient walls. A few people can be seen walking in the distance, and a couple of cars are parked further down the slope. The sky above is a clear, pale blue, with the soft light of late afternoon casting long, gentle shadows across the street. The scene feels peaceful and timeless, perfectly capturing the quaint charm of an old Italian village.
Streets in Assisi
A vertical night photograph captures the Hungarian Parliament Building in Budapest, brilliantly illuminated in golden light. The massive Gothic Revival structure dominates the background, featuring a grand central dome and a tall, intricate spire with multiple narrow windows and ornate carvings. The architecture is defined by rows of arches and stone details that glow against the dark night sky. In the lower foreground, a young woman with long, wavy hair stands on a cobblestone sidewalk, looking back over her shoulder with a smile. She is dressed in a dark grey coat, light-blue jeans, and tan sneakers. A street with faint light streaks from passing traffic separates her from the grand building. The warm artificial light from the Parliament and nearby street lamps casts a soft glow across the scene, creating a dramatic and regal atmosphere.
The Parliament building in Budapest
A vertical group portrait features a family of four standing on a stone terrace atop Castel Sant'Angelo, with the sprawling cityscape of Rome as their backdrop. In the center of the group, a man in a navy blue button-down jacket and khaki trousers stands with his arm around a young woman on the right, who is wearing a grey wool coat and light-wash jeans. To his left stands a woman in a tan trench coat and dark trousers, and on the far left, a young woman in a black leather jacket and a teal scarf smiles toward the camera. The background reveals a breathtaking panoramic view of Rome under an overcast, pale grey sky. The iconic dome of St. Peter's Basilica rises prominently in the distance, centered behind the group. The warm, earthy tones of the city's historic buildings and rooftops stretch toward the horizon, where a thin sliver of golden light breaks through the clouds. The high vantage point and the historic setting provide a grand, scenic atmosphere to this family-style photo.
My family and I in Rome

“I may not be richer in money, but I’m richer in moments.”

The post Money Comes Back, But Time Doesn’t appeared first on Off-Campus Study.

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