Ciao! I am studying abroad this fall semester in Florence, Italy at Florence University of the Arts. As I’m sure you can assume, being away from home, and from Fairfield, for four months is no easy task. But to make the transition process easier for myself, I knew it was important to quickly become accustomed to the Florence environment: the streets, stores, and restaurants.
Immediately upon arrival, I started to push myself outside of my comfort zone. Once my apartment was set up and my suitcases were unpacked, I began to explore the city. Google Maps is a lifesaver and I recommend that every student who is going abroad download it to avoid getting lost! It helps navigating your new city ten times easier.
My apartment is within walking distance of countless delicious restaurants, which is very important because I am ~such a foodie~. So far, my favorite spot is Tratorria Zàzà. Their homemade eggplant parmaigiana is to die for and they have insane truffle dishes! I also love stopping at Le Vespe, which is kind of like a Florence version of The Granola Bar, to grab a yogurt parfait or iced coffee before class. In addition, the infamous Il Gatto e Il Valope is at the top of my street. They are known for their incredible balsamic vinaigrette that truly makes your jaw drop.
Italy is rich – not only in gelato, mozzarella, and margherita pizza, but also in history and culture. Inside and outside of the classroom, I am doing experiential learning activities that are helping me develop practical skills. The classes offered on the FUA campus are so different than any course I have taken at Fairfield, because there are many diverse opportunities outside the classroom that allow me to immerse myself in what I am learning.
Since I am surrounded by native Italian speakers, I am taking advantage of this opportunity to improve my fluency in the language. The study abroad experience is helping me learn to communicate with a wide variety of people, despite linguistic and cultural barriers. Oftentimes, I push myself out of my “bubble” to interact with native Italian speakers.
I’ve realized that it is so important to make time to Facetime with my family and friends back in the states. The time difference is difficult to adjust to, but we are so lucky that we have video chatting to make our loved ones feel less far away. I love sharing my experiences with them and updating them on my adventures!
Florence has become my home for the semester and I am excited to continue my journey!