Read ONLY If You Wish to Be Inspired.
Mackenzie Zorn was an unlikely candidate for enrollment in a study abroad program in Florence, Italy. First, only a couple of programs in her major-specific classes were offered with transferable credits to the University of San Diego (USD). However, there was a bigger obstacle that loomed. Mackenzie suffers from Narcolepsy with Cataplexy, a chronic sleep disorder that causes overwhelming daytime drowsiness and loss of muscle control. Those affected by this condition awaken frequently throughout the evening, never enjoying a full night’s sleep. They’re in a constant state of exhaustion. As one sufferer described, “they can’t stay awake, and they can’t stay asleep”.
College students are all too familiar with the struggle to stay awake during dull lectures where the material is neither engaging nor relevant to their interests. Imagine the challenge that sleep-deprived Narcoleptics face.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for Narcolepsy. Medication and napping can help but restless sleep, groggy mornings of not wanting to get out of bed, and extreme exhaustion are Mackenzie’s daily reality. As she shared, “it can easily become the excuse for not doing things”. However, Mackenzie refused to be limited by her sleep disorder.
Mackenzie’s love of travel and desire to immerse herself in the cultures of other countries is what prompted her to explore studying abroad. After reviewing various curriculums, Mackenzie discovered that she could complete a series of required classes from outside her Behavioral Neuroscience Major, for full, transferable credit to her university. With the full blessings of her parents and her doctor, Mackenzie applied and was accepted to a 6-month program. She secured housing with a San Diego school acquaintance, and two additional roommates from other schools.
Prior to the start of classes, Mackenzie embarked on a week-long, school-sponsored trip, originating in Rome, and concluding in Florence. Upon her arrival in Rome, Mackenzie met up with her San Diego classmate and 20 other students who would be attending the same Florence school. Led by local experts, the tour took students away from the usual tourist destinations and gave them a deeper understanding of the culture, history, and customs of these two majestic cities and surrounding towns. Mackenzie was in awe, soaking in the experience with the wonder of a newborn.
Momma-Mia—The Sights, The Smells, The People
The Florence apartment building where Mackenzie resided had three notable features. First, it was located across the street from the historic Santa Croce Church, completed in 1442, a prime example of Gothic Italian architecture. Second, the apartment’s courtyard-facing balcony overlooked the kitchens of neighboring families where grandparents could be seen cooking Sunday meals, filling the air with delicious aromas of sauces, baked bread, and mouth-watering dishes. Last, the apartment was within walking distance of the numerous campus buildings where classes were held, providing not only convenience but also a good opportunity for exercise and further exploration of the city.
Weekdays were a blur of lectures, notes, and long hours spent studying and completing homework. Mackenzie eagerly counted down the days until the weekend, where she couldn’t wait to explore Florence’s rich history and culture alongside her roommates. However, they had different interests, opting instead to explore the city’s designer boutiques and nightlife, dressed to the nines. Mackenzie’s simple and effortless style stood in stark contrast to her roommates’ love for designer labels and opulent appearances. Before long, she found herself excluded from their social plans.
While the rejection stung, it did not deter Mackenzie’s determination to make the most of her experience abroad nor her desire to create unforgettable memories. She took advantage of school-sponsored trips to explore the city’s many landmarks, and visited other exciting destinations like Abruzzo and Pisa, to name a few.
An accomplished soccer player, Mackenzie also joined a weekend soccer league, which was predominantly male. She enjoyed competing against other schools. Mackenzie, along with another female player whom she met through the league, were welcomed and embraced by their male counterparts, who appreciated their skills and passion for the game.
The friendliness that she experienced was commonplace among native Italians. They were kind and quick to assist others in overcoming language barriers and helping lost visitors with much-needed directions.
Getting Comfortable With Being Uncomfortable
Admittedly, mornings and afternoon outings alone were less intimidating for Mackenzie than venturing out by herself at night. However, she knew that to grow and challenge herself, she had to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Having been home-schooled for most of her life, her social interactions were limited, especially in large group gatherings. But once she bravely reached for the front door and stepped out of her apartment, she knew she would be okay.
One of Mackenzie’s early adventures led her to a popular karaoke bar filled with locals. Upon entering, she noticed a table full of women singing along to “Party In The USA”, and naturally, greeted them in English with a warm smile. The perplexed looks on their faces and Italian accents quickly revealed that they were locals. But they were equally warm and friendly and invited Mackenzie to join them.
Thankfully, Google Translate helped ease the language barrier as they conversed and enjoyed one another’s company, despite none of them knowing English and Mackenzie speaking but a few words of Italian at the time. Her courageous outing resulted in new friendships, including Irene, who eventually became her best friend. In fact, the two women tutored one another in their respective languages, and the great language divide was conquered…well, not exactly!
The Day That Italy Shut Down—The Lockdown of 2020
On January 31, 2020, the COVID virus was confirmed to have spread to Italy, when two Chinese tourists tested positive in Rome. Clusters of cases were later detected in other cities and by the beginning of March, the virus had spread to all regions of Italy.
While colleges began sending foreign students back home, Mackenzie’s school was among the last to do so. In a span of just four days, her 3 roommates all left for home. Mackenzie was faced with a difficult decision: leave and risk getting infected on the plane flight home or stay and quarantine alone in her apartment. Mackenzie wanted to remain in Florence. After discussing the situation with her parents, the three decided that Mackenzie would stay, complete her studies and final exams online, and return home to San Diego at the end of May, as originally planned.
On March 21, 2020, the Italian government closed all non-essential businesses and industries and restricted social gatherings. Understandably, Mackenzie found the lack of human interaction depressing. Many city residents cleared out, retreating to their beach or mountain-owned properties, electing to quarantine there. Thankfully, Mackenzie had befriended another visiting female American before the lockdown. Their proximity in age and residences provided an occasional quarantine companion.
Restrictions limited outings to buying groceries and taking out the trash. Mackenzie made a habit of only buying a single day’s worth of food, just so she’d have an excuse to get out of her apartment and repeat the process the next day. Similarly, she looked forward to discarding her trash for the mere freedom of exiting her building and walking the empty streets.
As the end of May approached, Mackenzie completed her online studies and exams. Despite COVID, she had made it through the full semester. However, with restrictions expected to ease, Mackenzie wanted to further extend her stay through the end of August, so she could more fully explore Europe. Her parents readily agreed. She moved out of her current apartment and became roommates with the American woman she had befriended, pre-COVID.
Months into the lockdown, restrictions began to ease. Residents were allowed to exercise outside (with masks) and while enforcement of small gatherings outside (with masks) was still in effect, there was far greater leniency. Coffee and sandwich shops semi-opened, filling “to-go” orders only. Mackenzie welcomed this newfound freedom, exercising during the day and soaking in many evening sunsets marveling at Michelangelo’s renowned Statue of David.
More Places to Go…More People to Meet
Summer came and went quickly, and as restrictions further eased, Mackenzie, with the permission of her parents, continued her adventures from August 2020 to August 2021.
During that time, she moved from Florence to Rome and despite reaching the maximum number of transfer credits to the University of San Diego, she continued taking classes online. Her love of learning also helped her secure her visa status as a full-time student.
No one could accuse Mackenzie of slacking off during her 20 months abroad. Here’s a glimpse of some of her adventures:
· Took a train and bus ride from Florence to Genoa for the weekend and was mesmerized by the colorful and ornate architecture
· Hiked Cinque Terre, where she was awestruck by the picturesque villages perched on cliffs and even took the daring leap of cliff jumping into the crystal-clear waters
· Rented an Air BNB in Rome, where she explored the ancient city, visiting the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and the Vatican. She became so enamored with Rome that she moved there for her final 9 months in Italy
· Toured the Colosseum, where she was struck by the grandeur and history of the ancient Roman amphitheater
· Traveled and explored Bologna, multiple times, indulging in the delicious local cuisine and soaking in the charming medieval atmosphere
· Visited Venice, made two new friends and drove with them from Venice to Slovenia, where they randomly stopped for beautiful hikes and explored the crystal-clear lakes
· Traveled from picturesque Lake Bled in Slovenia to the unique capital city, where she was intrigued by the previous Soviet occupation and its impact on the architecture and street art of Ljubljana
· Spontaneously decided to fly to Catania, Sicily, where she spent 4 adventurous nights, exploring the ancient Greek ruins, the bustling markets, and the scenic coastal towns
· Traveled by train from Catania to Messina for one night, where she took in the historic sites. Strummed her ukulele by the beach, serenading an elderly gentleman who couldn’t resist joining in. Chatted and befriended the old man and his adorable, 4-legged companion
· Spent 4 nights in Palermo, discovering the city’s rich history and art and enjoying the delicious street food. She also navigated the unreliable bus systems to get to the famous, beautiful beach of Mondello
· Caught a plane flight to Naples, Italy, and spent 4 exciting nights exploring the city’s landmarks, such as the ancient Roman ruins, the Royal Palace, and the famous pizza places
· Flew to Barcelona, Spain for Easter, where she met up with a girl she had met in Florence, for tapas. Enjoyed the colorful architecture, the local markets, and the vibrant nightlife
· Took a class in Biomedicine and became an EMT for the Italian ambulance service, where she was able to make a meaningful contribution to her host community and gain valuable skills and experience
Mackenzie’s Priceless Secrets for a Happy Life
Mackenzie’s story is a true source of inspiration. Despite the difficulties of managing Narcolepsy while studying abroad and battling loneliness and isolation during the pandemic, she embraced new experiences and proved that anything is possible with determination and a positive mindset.
There are times when the frustration of managing Narcolepsy gets the better of Mackenzie. However, with faith and prayer, she’s able to pull through the more difficult moments. A cousin’s battle with leukemia also provides a perspective that things could be much worse.
During our conversation, Mackenzie also shared her personal growth while traveling abroad. She has become more confident and independent, having realized that her previous self-doubts were unfounded. Her adventures have shattered those barriers, showcasing her bravery.
She has also become more discerning about friendships. Mackenzie has bid farewell to unbalanced relationships where she is the lone initiator, embracing bonds founded on mutual respect and genuine concern for each other.
As we were nearing the end of our call, Mackenzie shared a valuable lesson she had learned during a night out at with a friend. She confided that she has always felt self-conscious while dancing. Her friend couldn’t help but notice as Mackenzie reservedly swayed back and forth to the music blasting from the club’s sound system. The friend stood behind Mackenzie and energetically lifted her arms high in the air, encouraging her to embrace the rhythm of the music.
“Let go and have fun”, she said. “No one is watching or judging you. They’re too worried about themselves”. It occurred to Mackenzie how right she was. And that was perhaps the biggest insight from her 20 months in Europe. “We’re our own worst enemy. People complain that they want to change but they’re scared of what they don’t know. So, they never push themselves outside their comfort zones. They’re afraid of being judged or worse, failing.”
With her friend’s encouragement, Mackenzie decided to let go that night and dance freely, for the very first time. She’s been doing so ever since.
Mackenzie’s courage to step out of her comfort zone and take risks is a reminder that we all have the potential to push ourselves to new heights. Let her story serve as a reminder for all of us to put our fears aside and pursue the adventures and experiences we’ve always dreamed of. The world is waiting for us. There’s no better time than now to take the leap. Are you ready?
Mackenzie’s Secrets for Happiness
- Self-confidence and self-growth ONLY come from pushing yourself outside your comfort zone
- YOU are responsible for creating UNFORGETTABLE memories. Don’t leave the choice to others and be confined by their limitations
- Be BOLD. I met my best friend by approaching a table of strangers at a Karaoke Bar. The worst thing that can happen is they say “NO” when you approach and ask to join them
- Opportunities are all around you. Are you OPEN to discovering them? Watch. Listen. Ask.
- Get comfortable being UNCOMFORTABLE. We live in a changing world and that’s not about to change
- You have a choice—You can dip your toes in the water, or you can JUMP right in. I say JUMP!
- Let go and HAVE FUN. Life should be an ADVENTURE