PEOPLE TO KNOW

STUDYING ABROAD by Jake Brusha

MY HERITAGE
Understanding one's heritage is always a crucial part of maturing, but to tangibly feel one's heritage by listening to the tongues of one's forefathers, by walking the streets of where one's ancestors once walked, and by savoring the smells and tastes of their lifestyle, truly leaves an intimate connection with that heritage. During my weekend vacations, I have been blessed to experience both my Sicilian and my Spanish heritage.
From the moment I touched down in Sicily, it appeared as if I hadn't landed in a foreign destination whatsoever; it all seemed so similar to me. I immediately fell in love with the people, who all looked like my Brusha relatives, and the food, which my Brusha family cooks: truly a warm reminder of home.
While I traveled through Palermo, I could only imagine my grandfather's father walking through the same streets and seeing the same sights. My heart ached for him as I spent time in the port of Sicily, knowing well that somewhere in that vicinity, he kissed his family goodbye, never to see them again. However, now that it is engraved in my mind, his sacrifice will not be taken for granted.
As I write this update, I am actually in Valencia, Spain: my second favorite place in the world (closely following my home). Valencia siempre roba mi corazon.
Every time I have the opportunity to return to this city and spend time with my local friends - whom I had previously mentioned when they came to visit me in Rome - and their families, it makes it all the harder to leave. I was greeted with a Spanish barbeque in a friend's mountain house, and afterward we returned to the city to for an outdoor disco-mobile; how could it get any better?
But by far, my favorite part is being able to converse and communicate with my friends in their language. Hearing and speaking the Spanish language connects me with a part of my heritage that I wouldn't be able to enjoy without this ability. Imagining my ancestors traveling through this beautiful country of Spain and speaking the same language that I speak is a thrilling thought. Now, I'll just have to learn Italian and it'll all come full circle!

ABOUT THE WRITER Jake Brusha is a photography intern at Glancer Magazine. He is studying abroad at Loyola University's school in Rome for this semesterand sharing about it in each issue of Glancer Magazine. Jake has been with Glancer Magazine for over a year & attended Naperville Central High School before college. Here, Jake shares his inspiring words on Studying Abroad.