It would have been much easier and way more comfortable to stay at the Siena he knew, but Gioncarlo Barone '26 was seeking transformational growth. That's why he challenged himself to explore, by himself, the Siena he didn't know.
The challenge couldn't be optional. If Gioncarlo gave himself the opportunity to back out, he knew he would take it. Gioncarlo openly admits to the insecurities he's often felt in life, and the lack of confidence as a result. He needed to push himself well beyond his comfort zone, and walk a tightrope of anxiety without a safety net. If he could reach the other side, he knew he'd be a better, stronger person for it. No matter how desperately he didn't want to get on that plane to Italy, he didn't allow himself an out.
"I had never been off the east coast before. I know I had made the decision subconsciously at some point to stay close to home. I figured study abroad would challenge me in a way that would lead to personal growth. Some people can't wait to head off to another country. That wasn't me. There were times I was dreading it. I wouldn't back out though, I made sure of that."
Gioncarlo settled on Italy because he was terrible at Spanish. He took Spanish in middle school, and pivoted to Italian at the first opportunity in high school. He enjoyed immersing himself in Italian culture - in the limited way one can during a 45-minute high school class on the other side of the Atlantic. When it came to picking a destination, that was easy. Getting on the plane was the hard part.
"Flying was the most daunting thing in the whole world. And then I got there, and at first it was uncomfortable for me just walking to and from school - who would I talk to, would I be late? But I've done it, and I can feel that growth. I've been a control freak in the past, and fearful of what I can't control. But I know I'm going to be a new person when I get home."
Gioncarlo has already made some "lifelong friends." They've traveled around Italy, and just this week, they took off together on spring break. They'll explore a few countries together, but then Gioncarlo will head to Budapest by himself. He wants to keep challenging himself.
"Before I came to Italy, I really struggled with my confidence, even just ordering something over the phone. But now I've been in a completely new environment, and I'm figuring it out. Everybody wants something different from study abroad. I'm getting good food, visiting unique cities, and learning a lot about myself. I'm already realizing those expectations I had for internal growth."
