New Beginnings

My name is Edmond Lee and this is where I will document the beginning of the next chapter of my life.

I have lived in the same house in Potomac, Maryland for about 15 years of my 20-year life. I attend the University of Maryland which is about 30 minutes from my house back home. This four-month semester will be the longest I have ever been away from home and my family.

That being said, I have traveled to over 30 countries. I have experienced many different cultures and seen amazing things, but these have all been short 2-3 weeks stints in which I quickly returned home to what is familiar and comfortable. While it may be tough, I am so excited to see what I am made of. I have the utmost freedom to decide for myself how I want this experience to be remembered.

Now, you may be wondering why I decided to study abroad at Bocconi University in Milan, Italy for my last semester before graduation. Honestly, I never thought I would study abroad. I could not leave my positions on the Dean’s Student Advisory Council, Smith Undergraduate Student Association, SmithPeers, and the Undergraduate Oversight Committee. However, I have given the Smith School of Business everything I have for the past 3 years in order to make the school better for the future classes. Last semester, I realized that I will never again be a college student who is able to study halfway across the world. After a few days, I had relinquished my positions and was set to embark on a completely new journey. While I definitely miss my time in College Park, I knew I could not pass up the chance to push myself outside my comfort zone and take on this new challenge.