Hank, an American college student, sets off for his semester abroad in Italy. As his mother drops him off at O'Hare International Airport, he begins an adventure that is meant to feed his love of literature and connect him to his Italian roots. He gets more than he bargained for, as he tries to stay afloat in a sea of turmoil. While events outside of his control bring him into a relationship with a girl, he discovers a world - of politics, money, hate, and love - far bigger than he ever knew.