Hello!! For this month’s blog post, I have decided to tackle the all-consuming question that most study abroad students have when packing for their adventures in a new country… What, exactly, to PACK! Based on my own personal experiences while studying abroad in Rome, I’d say the top ten items to ensure make it into your luggage are: 1. More than one winter coat!
We handed over our Instagram account to Talen for the day. This is his day in Paris. Hello everyone! Today I have taken over SAI’s Instagram to bring you a day in the life of an SAI student studying in Paris. My name is Talen and I originally study International Business at the Rochester Institute of Technology. Here in Paris, I am studying at the American University of Paris.
Upon getting the approval from both my parents and SAI that I was admitted into Florence University of the Arts, I spent the rest of the semester at home fantasizing about what it would actually be like, walking down the cobble stone paths to class with views of the Duomo.
Rome, Italy has so many amazing things to do! However, I am here to tell you my personal top ten things to do and to see: FIRST! My all-time favorite place to go in Rome is the Tiber River. I like to walk alongside the river and think about all the places it’s been. Did you know that the Tiber River is the third-longest river in Italy?
I believe that one of the most enriching experiences that I have had abroad thus far has been in my Italian Food, Culture, and Society class. I encourage anyone who goes abroad to see what classes the university offers in order to really learn about the culture in which you are living. My class has been about the way Italians interact, eat, and their history.
London is modern, magical, and massive. A traveler could spend a year in the city and still not see everything. However, there are a few things that you MUST do upon your first visit here. 1. Take a morning walk past Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace. The city architects were very gracious to tourists when they designed these beautiful structures in close proximity to each other! 2.
I am halfway into the semester and I can’t believe how fast time is flying by. No week is ever the same because classes have new activities, new challenges and trips that turn a typical class into a new learning experience. The classes that I have enjoyed the most this semester have been sculpture, photography and Paris history through architecture. Sculpture: I was scared for this class because I have never done sculpture before.
One of the most significant differences between my home university and NABA Milano is the learning style. Back in the U.S, we tend to employ a lecture style of learning, so the majority of our classes take place in the classroom, learning predominately from our professor’s knowledge and textbook examples.
I grew up on the west coast, moving from California to Idaho, then back, then back again, and for the past two years I have been attending university all the way across the country in Washington, D.C. I’m no stranger to homesickness, to missing old haunts and familiar faces.
Growing up, I remember making trips down to Florida with my family and enviously thinking to myself “Wow! This place is so wonderful. People live here and I am just here to visit.” The sights and the sounds of all the amusement parks and beaches captivated my young mind. How could there be any place on Earth more beautiful than Florida? Well, there is and I experienced it this semester on an excursion with SAI.
My Top 10 List While Studying Abroad 1. Visit the Amalfi Coast in Italy Whether it is just for the day or for a weekend get-away, the Amalfi Coast is a sight worth seeing. The coast is lined with stunning Italian homes that reach the tops of the mountains. Not to mention the seafood is fresh from the ocean and tastes amazing.
While studying in Florence, it is so important to travel every where you possibly can! There are cheap airlines such as Air Dolomiti, RyanAir, and Air France. Honestly, what I have found to be the best ways to travel is by train. The trains in Europe are much different than the ones in the United States. They are super comfortable and clean. Looking at Italo, Trainline, Eurail, and ItaliaRail are great trains to travel on.
Everyone chooses their location to study abroad for their own reasons. Some choose a location based on its culture, the nightlife or maybe even their genealogy. However, I picked Rome for a much different reason than most. Sure, I knew I was going to grow as a person and explore parts of the world I have never seen, but that can be done from any city abroad.
The classes I am taking in Florence are similar yet completely different from the classes I was taking back home in Virginia. The biggest difference that has caused me to enjoy my classes abroad is how hands-on the work is. The information I have learned thus far is relevant to my major and applicable in real life situations.
Two weekends ago I took a train to Marino, Italy for the 93rd Sagra dell‘Uva (Grape Festival). This train held passengers beyond the, ‘impatiently waiting to get from point A to point B’ mindset. My friend and I sat next to a group of young Italians who were fully feasting on the train. By feast I mean wine, sandwiches, chips, and beer.
Confessions from a professional student: I’ve been feeling stuck. Wedged between the standards of a collegiate education and personal expectations for the pursuit of knowledge, I haven’t been able to get out of my own way. Bury me in books, lock me in a room with a pen, shake me with science, and break my preconceptions with art—that’s what I would say.
In Sorrento, you can walk out the back door of the school and end up at the beach within five minutes. The only reason it takes so long is due to the picturesque winding path you must take to get to the bottom of the hill! After class on a weekday, a few of us decided to go kayaking and it was so easy!
Leading up to my semester in Sorrento, I was so curious about what was to come. This was my first time in Europe, and I had no idea what to expect. All I knew was that I couldn’t wait to get here! There is not that much information about this place online, just the occasional beautiful picture. But I can tell you there is so much to this little town than you would ever expect!
As I am reflecting on my “fairy-tale” semester studying abroad in Florence, Italy it is challenging for me to pinpoint my favorite moment or experience. There are just too many to choose from! I guess that isn’t a bad thing right? But, if I had to pick my most special moment from my semester abroad, it would definitely be the opportunity I had to see the world.
From the moment I entered this world, I let my parents know that their daughter had been graced with a very large appetite. Like a baby bird, my eyes stayed wide and my mouth open, hungry for food of the brain and the stomach. My appetite for life remains and the nickname “Bird” stuck around too.
This semester in Milano is my first trip to Europe. So, needless to say, I’ve been experiencing my fair share of culture shock. I expected to be taken aback by the differences in language, the adjustment to going to a school where almost everyone had a different cultural background than mine, and of course, the infamous stereotype that Italians are habitually late.
About a month before I boarded the plane to BELLA ROMA I went through major denial that I was actually leaving the country. The last three days I spent in Colorado were uneventful as I treated each like any ordinary day – like a crazy person I even worked the day before I boarded my plane! How I had time to pack I’m not sure.
If you think being gluten-free in Italy is impossible, you are wrong; if you think it is a struggle, you are wrong; & if you think you will starve for four months, you are wrong! Due to health reasons, I am gluten free. So coming to Italy to study abroad raised some concerns of what I would be able to eat.
As soon as I arrived in Rome, Italy, I was amazed by the thrum of life pulsing all around me. People from all walks of life, coming from drastically different countries, who spoke different languages—all of us were here, living in the same ancient city like so many people before us. Thriving together, existing alongside so many variations of humans. And all of us were… EATING!
The whole idea of just coming to Paris has been a challenge itself. But now sitting down in a café in Rue (street) de la Convention, I can say that I finally made it; my dream has come true. My first week in Paris was full of adventure and learning experiences with my family. It totally gave me a boost of confidence being able to explore the streets of my new city with them.
About a year ago from today marked the start of my study abroad adventure. This time last year, I officially decided to study abroad at SAI Florence University of Arts. I was filled with mixed emotions such as excitement and apprehension. I heard endless amount of times from family and friends that studying abroad was going to be “the semester of a lifetime.
Here is a list of some of my favorite places to eat in Florence: Caffe Firenze — This place has the best croissants in Firenze! I get a caffé latte and the croissant and it is only about 3 euro. The people who work there offer great customer service, too.
Traveling alone or through an agency, possibly the most important question we have in our lives today. Here is my story of traveling through an agency. A friend of mine was offered the chance for a full-package trip to Split, Croatia at a discount price, approximately 80 euro less. Seems like a no brainer to just take the deal and run which my four friends and I did.
Deciding to spend the first semester of my junior year in Florence, Italy was definitely one of the best decisions I have ever made. Although I have been here barely more than two weeks, I can tell that I am already learning and maturing immensely. I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the challenges and difficulties I have faced thus far. This semester abroad is my very first time traveling outside of the United States.
Studying abroad in a foreign country didn’t really seem like a big deal to me. I’ve moved plenty of places on my own for summer internships like New York City and Milwaukee – I came to Europe on a school trip in the 10th grade.
Hi guys, Shemaia again! Fashion Image & Styling II at NABA in Milan was the second class I took abroad. My class project was to style looks that featured design as well as creating a micro Instagram video (which is featured at the end of the vlog). My group and I used geometric shapes and graffiti art as our inspiration.
I can’t believe I only have three short weeks left of my study abroad experience! These past seven weeks have gone by so fast and have been some of the best weeks of my life. This summer I have learned so much about myself as an individual and I truly believe I have grown tremendously as a person, becoming a more outgoing and independent.
My name is Shemaia and I am currently studying Fashion Image & Styling at NABA in Milan with SAI. My class project was to style looks inspired by food. My group and I used fruit as our inspiration being that the colors are fun, vibrant, trendy, and perfect for the summer. With the looks we created, we collaborated with a photographer, live model, and makeup artist to bring it all to life.
Since December 2016, I have been lucky to experience studying abroad in different places. My first experience was through a student exchange program at my university’s home campus in Evanston, IL for six months. I started my second study abroad experience to Rome, Italy with SAI to study Italian.
Ciao bella! This week I traveled to beautiful Milano and have enjoyed a lot of time sightseeing. In the four days I’ve been here I have seen and learned a lot. This is the first country I have been to outside of the states so each experience has been new and exciting for me! Here are my three favorite places I have visited so far!
Ciao a tutti! This is Elise Walsh checking in one last time at the Sant’Anna Institute in Sorrento, Italy. This is my final week in Sorrento and I have had such an incredible experience. I can’t believe how quickly the past five weeks have gone! Today, I’d like to focus on some advice for those interested in studying abroad. Let me begin by saying I couldn’t be happier with my choice to go to Sorrento.
My name is Ana Harrison, I’m a rising senior at the University of South Carolina and I’m going to be an SAI ambassador this year! This past spring I had the time of my life studying abroad in Barcelona, and this is a little video I pieced together of the six countries I visited when I went abroad.
The past few weeks have been busy to say the least. My friends and I decided to do some traveling around Europe. We went to Rome, Florence, Pompeii, Amsterdam, Budapest and Barcelona. Each of these cities offered something new and exciting; every place was unlike any other place we had been. Although we got a bit lost along the way, we always made it safely to each destination.
I would like to share ten things that I learned while studying abroad: 1) Plan ahead – this is for the clothing of what to wear in a foreign country with cultural meaning, weather etc. Also, this can be for when traveling around and checking times of monuments, how much money to bring, etc. 2) Get some familiarity with the language of the host country before arriving.
Ciao a tutti! Elise Walsh checking in again at the Sant’Anna Institute in Sorrento, Italy. So far, I’ve been in Italy for just over two weeks and I’ve learned a lot about the ins and outs of my host city. Today, I’m going to focus on a unique experience that I’ve had abroad. Since Sorrento has a hotter climate than my hometown, I want to spend a lot more time outdoors than I normally would.
The perfect summer day in Florence would definitely be to start your morning, before it gets too hot, on a walk around the Duomo. To just sit with a cappuccino and croissant and watch the tourists and locals interact around such an amazing building. Then, I would go to All’Antico Vinaio for an amazing, well-spent 5 Euro panini!
As a young person trying to find his or her way in the world, it can be hard to stick to your values while also making the most of what life has to offer. I think this is something that we can all relate to in one way or another. In my case, my choice to be a vegan for both health and ethical reasons has posed problems (especially in the eyes of others)
Ciao a tutti! My name is Elise Walsh and I’m a biotechnology student at the Rochester Institute of Technology. Currently I’m studying at the Sant’Anna Institute in Sorrento, Italy and I’ll be writing this blog about my experiences! Today, I’m going to focus on traveling to Italy and my first classes. I’d been to Italy before in high school, but I had only been there for about a week.
Well I have officially made it a week in Italy! It was both an exhilarating and scary experience with it being my first time out of the country, with people I had just met. As soon as I arrived in the Naples airport, I knew I was going to make life-long friends, as we all instantly clicked on the bus ride to our apartment.
Before leaving for Florence, every single one of my friends who went abroad told me that I was about to embark on the most exciting and eye-opening experience of my life and naturally I came in with very high expectations.
My first week in Florence has already been one of the most eventful and life-changing weeks of my life. I find it so hard to believe I have only been here for a week! It seems like it’s been much longer because there are always so many different things to do during the day and at night.
When I arrived in Florence and seen where I lived, I was blown away. I couldn’t believe how nice and spacious the apartment was. There are three bedrooms and I have my own room. There is also a full kitchen, dining room and living room. I was expecting us all to be crammed into a tiny apartment!
I decided to use Spring Break as the perfect opportunity to pig out and try new foods from each destination that I traveled to in Portugal and Spain. The first restaurant that we dined at during our travels was located in Lisbon. If you didn’t already know these countries are somewhat known for their seafood and aquatic dishes, so my friends and I came here with the intention of grabbing some at every destination.
Let me start by saying that studying abroad has been one of the most terrifying, wonderful, indulgent, adventurous, stressful and rewarding experiences of my life. Yes, it is possible for your semester abroad to be all of the above in the best of ways.
If you asked me a year ago from now if I ever saw myself living in a foreign country for an entire semester, away from everything I know and that is comfortable to me, I may have looked at you as if you were crazy. Little did I know that when I took the leap of faith to study abroad in Florence, Italy, that I was making the best decision of my entire life.
Before leaving to study abroad in Rome, I remember talking to my friend who had studied abroad a year before me. She told me that it would be, without a doubt, the best time of my life. I am so excited for anyone that has made the choice to study abroad. Here are some tips to make your experience the best it can be. 1. Learn a little about your new city before getting there.
Being abroad has been the experience of a lifetime, but nothing has been better than the friends I have met along the way and the friendships I will now hold for a lifetime.
As a freshman at Rochester Institute of Technology, I attended a presentation about my Industrial Design (ID) department chair’s annual trip to Milano for Design Week. The pictures of the enormous fairgrounds, the product displays that seemed to go on for miles, and the stories he told convinced me that I needed to find a way to get there.
It’s official. I am leaving Milan in exactly fifteen days. Being in Milan has opened my eyes to a whole new world of opportunities, given me lifelong friends, and changed me for the best. I am more than excited to get back and share my experience with family and friends, but there are a few things I will miss once I get back to the states.
Fashion Loves You (FLY) is a boutique inside the school of Fashion and Accessory Studies and Technology (FAST) at FUA. It is a vintage store that also sells emerging designers’ work as well as students’ work. The latest FLY Event featured BeGiuls, an emerging fashion designer located in Florence, a live photo shoot, a gourmet aperitivo and a special exhibition of the garments created in Florence University of the Arts’ Apparel Design class.
It’s inevitable, while studying abroad you are going to find yourself going out at night! Going out at night can be an awesome time to meet locals and to make fun memories but there are a few things to keep in mind when hitting the bars, clubs, etc. These are my tips to staying safe and having a great time specifically in Italy! 1. Stick together and look out for each other!
Over the course of 10 weeks I have taken eight trips, four of them to different countries. I love being able to explore different places, but one of my favorite things to do in a different country is try the traditional food from that region. Now I will take you on a what I like to call my own personal European Food Tour. First stop is Brussels, Belgium.
After living in Florence for a little over 2 months I’ve come to really appreciate everything that it has to offer, especially the small not well known secrets of the city. To begin with, we will start with the panino topic. After traveling to other Italian cities I’ve noticed that no other place has panini like Florence, it’s one of their specialties!
These are my 10 Reasons why Florence is the Best Place to Study Abroad: Best gelato It’s no surprise that Florence has the best gelato in Italy (and in Europe), considering the fact that it was invented in Florence! I think that this is on the top three things of what I’m going to miss the most about Florence.
Because you’re traveling to western Europe, you have probably heard more similarities between the United States and Italy than differences. I understand. It can get a little frustrating when you’re trying to prepare yourself for what to expect when you have literally no idea what to expect. Before I studied abroad I barely thought about any of the differences because all of my relatives said there was little to no difference.
Since I am currently in the Eastern Hemisphere, I had greater access to a wide variety of awesome countries to choose from for my spring break trip. I have never been on an actual spring break trip so that was a first too. I chose to go up North and visit London, England and Edinburgh, Scotland. I was so excited to visit two very historical cities, being that I am a history buff.
My last blog post talked about some of the ins and outs of my overall study abroad experience, since my time to go home was quickly approaching. Fast-forward, I have been home for just over a week now, and personally, it is crazy to think that I spent the last three months living in Europe. In all honesty, it almost feels like it didn’t happen!
These are the 12 best things about studying abroad in Sorrento. 1. The people in southern Italy are the most friendly people you will ever meet! Nobody does hospitality like they do. 2. The birthplace of pizza was in this region of Italy. The best pizza in the world can be found here. 3. Sorrento is the original home of limoncello, a delicious lemon liquor that is served all over the south of Italy. 4.
We handed over our Instagram account to Ami for the day. This is her day in Rome. CIAO CIAO FROM ROME! My name is Ami(Girl) and I’m studying abroad at John Cabot University in Rome this semester! I’m an education major with a minor in history so basically I’ve been in heaven the past four months!
For the spring semester in Florence, I was given the opportunity to intern at FLY. FLY, which stands for fashion loves you, is a non-profit clothing store ran an operated by the students and faculty in the Fashion and Accessories Studies and Technology programs at Florence University of the Arts.
As I become more and more familiar with my surroundings around Florence, I have found some amazing cafés, restaurants, and gelaterias that I feel are an absolute must for abroad students to try in their time here. Of course there are still so many hidden places I need to hunt down, but so far here are 10 of my favorite go-to places I have found in my time here! 1.
So after my four months in Rome, naturally, I’ve found my favorite grocery store, favorite study spot, cafe, restaurant, etc. It’s insanely easy to gravitate towards the more tourist-y attractions that are scattered all around Rome. But that’s the total opposite of what you want to do! You’re studying abroad to delve into the culture full-force and to NOT do what the average person would do. You’re beyond that.
We handed over our Instagram account to Coco for the day. This is her day in Siena. Hello and good morning Instagram! My name is Coco. I’m currently studying abroad in Siena, Italy at @sienasis. I can’t wait to show you all what #adayinthelife of me looks like. Today is going to be quite a busy day, we’ve got places to go and people to see– are you ready?
We handed over our Instagram account to Lily for the day. This is her day in Florence. Hey peeps it’s Lily Herring from Florence University of the Arts in Florence, Italy comin’ at you today with an Instagram takeover of SAIprograms for an inside look into the day to day life of a study abroad student.
This weekend I had the amazing opportunity to visit the Amalfi coast and explore the towns of Positano, Capri, Anacapri, and Pompeii. I have to say I was not too excited to begin with because my good friend could no longer make the trip with me so I had to venture solo.
The Nice trip, organized by SAI, was one of my favorite trips during my study abroad experience. We were a group of eight students and our SAI coordinator, and I really enjoyed spending time getting to know each one of them. It is a great opportunity for all the SAI students in your program to socialize and talk about your study abroad experience so far. It’s also a great opportunity to make new friendships!
In the United States, I usually celebrate Thanksgiving by eating turkey, mashed potatoes, and so forth with my family. This year, Thanksgiving was very different. First, this was my first thanksgiving away from home. So you can imagine the feelings of missing being with your loved ones, especially since now it has been about three months since not seeing all of them. However, there were also feelings of gratefulness, of course, and happiness too.
After living in Rome for three months, I realized Italian women always look put together. Even on quick runs to the nearby grocery store, Italians always look their best. The “athleisure” trend that we all love in the US – leggings, tennis shoes, and athletic tops or t-shirts – has not made its way to Italy. Here are some ways to dress like a local in Rome: 1. When in doubt, wear black.
Aside from being a student in Siena, I am also an English teacher. I work at an elementary school inside the city walls and teach English to a class of 4th graders as a part of my weekly service work for Siena Italian Studies. I began my teaching experience with a little apprehension.
The very first night in Florence, my roommate Emma and I decided to go out and experience the exciting nightlife the city has to offer. Little did we know we were going to meet a few locals who are now two of our really good friends. At one of the more well known clubs, Space, my roommate, Emma, and I were approached on the dance floor by two gentlemen who began speaking Italiano to us.
While by no means exhaustive, the following list is a compilation of lessons learned and tips I would give for a semester abroad: 1. (And therefore the most important) You can never have too much gelato. Stressful test? Get some gelato. You walked a long way and are hot and tired? Get some gelato. Meeting up with friends? Get some gelato. Just passed a good-looking gelateria? Get some gelato.
This past weekend, I went to Le Cinque Terre. It is a collection of five small villages along the west coast of Italy, next to the Ligurian Sea. This weekend was full of nature adventures and local foods. There are no huge mountains in Kansas, so I was so excited to get to go hiking once again, as that is a rare activity for me.
My time abroad in Florence has been incredible thus far and I have loved documenting my travels, but for this blog post, I decided to interview someone else to hear their perspective on being abroad. With that being said, I interviewed my roommate, and also fellow SAI student, Shelby S. about her experiences. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Being a “quarter” student for SAI, my student abroad time ends mid-April, instead of mid-May, like many other students doing the full term. I remember looking back at my Delta Airlines app on my phone, out of curiosity, to see how many days it said until I could check in for my return flight…it said 80 some days. Now, it says 15, and I know those are going to absolutely fly by.
The month of March was a big travel month. I visited the Colosseum in Rome (through an SAI excursion); wandered through the maze-like streets of Venice; soaked in the coastal views in Sorrento, and saw the sparkling lit-up Eiffel Tower in Paris. One of the most memorable trips this month was staying in Sorrento with my family. I took a train (lasting about 4 hours) from Milan to Naples.
Weekend trips! Stressful am I right? Not one week had passed when I started hearing my classmates talk about how they had every single weekend booked until May. I was in shock. I hadn’t even thought what I was going to eat for dinner that night much less what cities/countries I wanted to visit. It was sad to see how eager students were to leave Italy.
After being in Florence for about a month now, there are definitely a few things I would put on a “must-do” list. First and foremost, take a cooking class. SAI has cooking classes offered throughout the semester, and they’re great, especially because you just have to put a small deposit down, and you get that back when you show up! Basically free – we all know college kids can’t pass up free.
I love brunch, it’s my favorite meal of the day and my mandatory Sunday activity (along with church of course). Well if you love brunch as much as I do, I have good news – Paris is the place to be! After a Saturday night out with friends, my roommate and I decided we wanted to find a brunch place that would serve a “good breakfast” for a good price.
When applying for a study abroad program, I made sure to pick my dream destination, Florence, Italy. I knew coming to Florence would be an adventure in itself, and that the city would have a lot to offer. Luckily, Florence is in a great location and is surrounded by many other beautiful cities and countries.
One of my favorite classes so far this semester has to hands down be my Introduction to Fashion Photography class. It’s only been a month and I’ve already learned so much that it makes me really excited to see what the rest of the semester has in store! I remember saving for months so that I could finally buy this beautiful Nikon DSLR camera with an LCD swivel screen.
I have been living in Siena for one month and I am already calculating how many months, weeks, days, hours and seconds I have left so that I can savor every single moment. I’ve always been one to feel homesick. I vividly remember crying myself to sleep every night at sleep-away camp in middle school.
One of my absolute favorite things about being abroad is, of course, the food! I love eating local food wherever I go, whether I am in Italy or another country. First off, some of my favorite things to pick up at the grocery store here in Milan are patate gnocchi, Italian sausage, and ravioli. I have always loved pasta and the amount that is available to me here is almost dangerous.
Some friends from home are visiting me in Rome for a few days, and they asked me to make a list of things to do in Rome over a weekend. With so much to do in Rome, it is so hard to make a short list! However, after spending almost two months in Rome now, there are definitely a few things that have stood out.
Traveling around Europe is something I was extremely nervous about coming into this semester. I have a terrible sense of direction, don’t speak other languages very well, and have a tendency to break down in stressful situations. It turns out those three things really don’t mix well when something goes wrong during traveling.
February has been filled with experience after experience. First let’s start with classes. Classes in Milan are very different, just as I expected. But I had no idea I was going to have the chance to have so many hands-on activities and projects. Since January, I have been on 7 class trips, some including the Mipel Handbag Show, Manolo Blahnik Museum, and the Fashion Hub Market.
Studying abroad and becoming engulfed in another culture is such an amazing experience. On top of that, it provides an opportunity to get to see more than just your host country. Traveling while abroad can be so excited but also so stressful! I’ve compiled a list of my best tips for seamless travel abroad. 1.
If you ever find yourself in Florence, you’ll see that there are thousands of places to get food. So many people make the mistake of spending their money on the tourist spots and miss out on the tastiest hidden treasures of Florence. Here are some of the tips and tricks to finding the perfect hole in the wall and authentic Florentine food—organized by category of course!
Now that I have been in Milan for two months, I have made my way around the city and discovered some of my favorite spots. Most of these spots, I frequent, but some are little shops, go on walks to, or just visit on a nice afternoon. The first of my favorite spots is the city center where the Duomo is.
My first week in Florence consisted of basically three things: getting lost, getting gelato and getting a lot of Italian pronunciations wrong! I started my travels on January 23, 2017. I said goodbye to my family and boarded the first of 3 connecting flights to Florence, Italy! I had been saving my whole college career for this opportunity and I couldn’t wait to just get there already. The plane ride went surprisingly well.
We handed over our Instagram account to Tristan for the day. This is his day in Sorrento. Ciao! My name is Tristan and I am studying in Sorrento, Italy! I am from California where I go to school at Point Loma Nazerene University. I study Business Management and Pre-Law and love to surf in my free time. I chose Sorrento because I love the ocean, Italian food, and because my family came from Southern Italy.
Last weekend, I took a trip to Napoli (Naples) with my roommates. I was very excited to go because everybody I talked to about my weekend plans got very excited for me as well! And, because Napoli is the birthplace of pizza, we received plenty of pizzeria recommendations. It was also my first time to the ocean! What I first noticed about Naples is the vibrant and youthful atmosphere.
One of my favorite classes at NABA (Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti) is Fashion Accessory Design. Last semester, I learned about textiles and designed and constructed a gym bag through a studio course at R.I.T. This course opened my eyes to the world of soft goods and is one of the reasons why I decided to pursue this interest at NABA.
I have lived in Florence, Italy, for just about a month now, and I have fallen in love with all the incredible sights and activities this city has to offer. Although I cannot say I have experienced everything yet, here is a list of my 10 favorite things to do in Florence thus far. 1. Visiting Piazzale Michelangelo. Fortunately for my roommates and I, we live a very short distance from Piazzale Michelangelo.
We handed over our Instagram account to Kordai for the day. This is her day in Rome (February 16, 2017). 🌞 Buon giorno! My name is Kordai and I’m a sophomore at Saint Mary’s College of California @stmarysca in Moraga, CA studying abroad at JCU Rome. Today I’ll be sharing my normal Thursday with you. I usually have to take public transportation to get to my classes.
My study abroad experience as a whole was unexpected and definitely one I will cherish the rest of my life. What I mean by unexpected is that I never really thought about studying abroad when I started college. It wasn’t until one of my friends encouraged me to consider it, that it seemed to be a possibility for me.
When most people visit London, they typically steer towards the classic attractions we all know and love, such as Big Ben, The London Eye, or Buckingham Palace. But limiting yourself to just the most common sights restricts you from truly experiencing all that this wonderful, quirky city has to offer. I have compiled a list of my top three “not-so-typical” destinations for anyone who wants to truly experience London.
Wow, I learned a lot about myself in the short time I was able to explore the Swiss Alps. I have never felt so light and free. I am in Switzerland and peaking in life. This is the most visceral connection I have ever had to a land. If there is a god out there, please let this be my eternal resting place.
The first impression I had of Florence occurred to me as I was leaving the airport upon my arrival. Right away, I noticed the similarities between the suburbs of Florence and my home country, Mexico, which I was recently in. The city’s infrastructure, streets, driving style, and buildings were very similar. Even the language, Italian, printed on murals and advertisements was almost identical to Spanish. It gave me an advantage and a feeling of comfort.
I have been in Sorrento for one and a half weeks and I am overwhelmed every single day by the amount of beauty that this place has to offer. Sorrento is on the golden coast of Italy and it sure reflects that title.
Italians take pride in their food and fine wines. Whether you stumble upon tiny cafes or street restaurants, Italy is full of extraordinary and unique places to dine. While my summer abroad in Florence, I had the chance to discover some of these treasures for myself. It did not take me long to discover that the Italians truly have a way with how they choose to display food and drink.
After exploring the city that will be my “home away from home” for the next four months, I have realized a few things that really helped or would have helped make my packing, arrival, and first week a lot easier. While some of these things may seem like common sense, it’s important to stress how helpful they may be!
When I arrived in Sorrento two weeks ago, I have to admit that I had average expectations for the food of southern Italy. I thought that, of course the pizza, pasta, and seafood would be exquisite but outside of these preconceived “specialities” I did not expect the plethora of fresh ingredients that became presented to me daily, being as ingrained in the small coastal town as the Italian language itself.
I have never worked harder for anything in my life like I did for this study abroad trip. I spent a year doing scholarship applications, working at my work-study job everyday, and helping my siblings with anything for a couple bucks. I had several departure meetings at school and interviews to prepare for this amazing trip.
It’s been exactly a week since my plane touched down at the Milan Linate Airport and I walked out of baggage claim to a sea of people. After a few minutes of scanning the crowd, I spotted the program’s driver with “SAI PROGRAMS” scrolling across his phone. My classmate and fellow SAI student, Hannah, and I got into the car, and headed off to our apartment, our home for the next four months.
Preparing to go abroad is one of the most exciting times in the process, but can also be stressful and overwhelming. No matter how many blogs you read, or people you talk to, it is difficult to know just how prepared you are, and how you will adjust to your new home. I will admit, I had my fair share of meltdowns in the weeks before departing for Florence.
I feared the “language barrier” as I prepared to embark on my study abroad journey in Siena, Italy. I practically screamed from the rooftops, “I am going to be studying abroad in Italy for four months!! All my classes are taught in Italian and I am living with a host family!! I am so excited!” And, without fail, whoever happened to be listening would ask, “How long have you been speaking Italian?
After months of preparing to study abroad, I finally arrived in Rome! The flight getting here was a bit stressful. Of course, with my luck, my suitcase weighed more than fifty pounds and I got to the airport later than I had hoped. By the time I arrived in Rome, I was ready to get to my apartment, unpack, and take a shower.
Ten days down. Ten days full of adventure, shopping, and of course, endless amounts of carbs. I came to Milano knowing very little about the culture and the city itself, but in these last ten days, I have learned more than I could have ever imagined. My apartment is where it all began.
I have lived in a small town in Washington State my whole life. It is a quaint little town that even people born and raised in Washington have never heard of before. I love where I am from more than anything, but being that I’ve hardly traveled outside of the United States and away from my hometown, I knew I had to go out and see the world.
After weeks of brainstorming what to bring, packing, figuring out flights, and racing the clock, the time finally came for us to head abroad to Barcelona. As I sat on a seven hour flight to Paris, and a little over an hour flight to Barcelona, I never could have imagined what I was about to experience.
“A brief introduction to Milano” was a phrase that I heard a lot these first two weeks of my stay in the city. All of the locals kept saying how small the city is, although I could not imagine we were getting a complete look into Milan in such a short amount of time. Being from a small town in Kansas, every other city naturally looks giant to me.
A Letter to Florence, Thank you. Thank you for being my home away from home. You were my little bubble of safe haven in Europe. Every weekend I traveled to another country, I would always get really excited to return to you. Thank you for never disappointing me. You provided me with so much . There was so much art, history, and culture right at my fingertips every single day.
After the dozens of weekend trips, studying for finals, and packing away everything from the past four months, it’s finally time to go back to the United States. It’s difficult to summarize all the amazing experiences, memories, and friends that I have made while abroad. During these past four months, I’ve experienced some of the most beautiful places and have gotten to live in a European culture.
We can’t get enough of Erin Pachter’s creative video of her semester abroad. She studied with SAI in Florence Fall 2016, and visited so many beautiful places! I had previously seen a video like this on YouTube and I really enjoyed it. I knew going into my trip that I wanted to make a video like this because it would show and remind me of all the adventures I had traveling.
“There’s no time to be bored in a world as beautiful as this” – Unknown The best thing about studying in Florence Italy this fall is that not only am I baking my dreams come true in the kitchen but also my horizon is expanding and nothing but a growing curiosity for adventure and knowledge is left. There is so much more to experience than just classes when studying abroad!
1. Get Gelato My favorite thing about Italy is the amazing gelato. There are so many different little gelato shops, and they all have different flavors! Honestly, you cannot go wrong with any choice of gelato shops. There is a gelato shop where they serve you gelato and decorate it as a flower; the shop is called Amorino. 2. Eat at a local restaurant There are so many options for yummy restaurants in town!
In the normal world, being lost is not a good thing; it is to be avoided at all costs. However, during your abroad experience, I would suggest you do get lost in your new city. (Of course make sure you have the right tools to find your way back home if you get really lost; I would suggest CityMaps).
My first week in Paris consisted of good food, interesting adventures, and GREAT people. I met the rest of the SAI students participating in the AUP program as soon as I got to the airport. Endless to say we were all very tired after our long flights, but soon I realize that they were a group of lovely people. Afterwards, my roommates and I made our way to our new (and tiny) apartment.
It wasn’t until Thanksgiving was a week away that I realized I probably wasn’t going to enjoy the usual Thanksgiving dinner. A lot of my classmates were taking advantage of the long weekend to travel, however, I was staying in town. So, instead of waiting around and watching my mom make the turkey and mashed potatoes I had to actually look up some recipes and make some type of big dinner.
Being in Europe is absolutely incredible. You get to experience cultures different than your own, eat AMAZING food, and travel to places that you’ve only ever imagined (or seen on Pinterest). Living over here is wonderful, but they don’t call it “Studying Abroad” for nothing. As much as you don’t want to believe it, you will have to take classes abroad. You will have homework to do, essays to write, and tests to take.
So it’s officially fall in Firenze! Yes that means it is COLD, oh and rainy! Okay so it’s not really that bad……. But if you plan on traveling to Florence (which I completely support), bring a good jacket and umbrella. Remember to carry your umbrella with you. If you are like me, you won’t think about your umbrella until you are soaking wet walking through Florence.
We handed over our Instagram account to Nicole for the day. This is her day in Rome (December 1, 2016). Hello everyone! My name is Nicole Pexa and I will be taking over SAI’s Instagram account today to show you what a #dayinthelife looks like in Rome! I am a senior Mathematics major and Computer Science minor from Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota, but am currently studying at John Cabot University in Rome.
Doing good for the world is something I have always thought was important and is an obligation. In fact, after I graduate I would love to pursue a career in social justice by working at a non-profit. I believe we must continuously act against oppressive structures in our society, especially my generation.
We handed over our Instagram account to Solomon for the day. This is his day in Barcelona (October 27, 2016). Hello SAI Programs! Fall has arrived in Barcelona, and so have I! I’m @SolomonsPost, but you can call me Sollie. I’m a 3rd year student from the Rochester Institute of Technology (@rittigers) studying abroad at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (@uniautonomabarcelona) this fall.
Milan is a city that has many hidden treasures. Despite not being a city where there are a lot of tourist sights and attractions there is not a shortage of things to happen upon. This post will be a collection of photos that I have taken while wandering around Milan.
Do your research! Always do your research before your trips. Look into what airport or train station you are arriving in and how far that is from where you are staying. Research the area that you are going. Research transportation from the train station to your hotel or where ever you are staying. (Some places have Uber).
Now that I have been in Florence for about a month and a half, I have definitely picked out some of my favorite things to see, places to go, and things to do. I did my best to compile a list of just 10 of these to share with all of you. The following are in no specific order: 1.
This was our first excursion outside of Paris. We went to the town of Chantilly to see the beautiful Château de Chantilly. Since we don’t have classes Mondays, we decided to leave Paris for the day in order to explore a little more of France.
Time is Money. This is an expression I have heard back home way too often. The U.S is a country dedicated to time efficiency and productivity. I don’t think I ever thought I would come to use this phrase other than to express how it is we Americans perceive time.
When I pictured the apartment I would be living in before I arrived in Rome I imagined it to be small and outside of the city. To my surprise, it is the complete opposite and I love it. I’ve never lived in a big city so it has been quite the experience. I live on Via di Francesco a Ripa, the street that never sleeps.
I can’t believe it’s already October. When I first got to Rome it was 95 degrees and I was sweating constantly. Now I am able to wear a sweater and jeans comfortably. I love fall! Since my last blog post, I have gone to 12 more cities in Italy, 8 of which were visited this past weekend with SAI.
1. Enjoy wine and watch the sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo. It is very touristy so my recommendation is to get there early (before the sun sets) to get a good seat. 2. Shop and watch local street entertainment at the Piazza della Repubblica. Enjoy shops from fast fashion stores like Zara to luxury shops like Gucci. There are some of the best places to enjoy dinner with an amazing view.
We handed over our Instagram account to Hannah for the day. This is her day in Florence (October 12, 2016). Hello! My name is Hannah Latham and I will be taking over this account for the day to show you my typical day in Florence! I am from Grand Rapids, Michigan and am currently a junior attending Florence University of the Arts but back home I go to Carthage College in Wisconsin and study Neuroscience.
Jessica takes us along as she tastes wine in Bolgheri, swims in the warm waters of the Isola del Giglio and hikes around archaeological sites on the SAI program inclusive weekend excursion to Maremma and the Tuscan Islands. ___ Jessica is a current student at Georgia State University studying at the Florence University of the Arts, Italy during the Fall 2016 term.
One of the coolest experiences that I have had in Milan thus far is attending the Luisa Baccaria fashion show, Milan Fashion Week 2016. The fashion show took place at the Museo Nazionale Scienza e Tecnologia Leonardo da Vinci, a gorgeous and unique venue. The crowd was incredible; women in glamorous outfits, men in suits. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be able to mingle among these individuals.
From the moment I left the airport, I knew that the next four months were going to be full of many first foreign adventures for me. Going to Europe was the first foreign step I was taking. There were so many emotions that I was feeling as I stepped on the plane from Boston to Zurich, Switzerland and then to Florence, Italy.
I am studying at the American University of Paris this semester. The campus is right in the middle of Paris. Surrounded my iconic landmarks and cafes. I truly like my classes and my professors. I am taking some interesting classes this semester including Human Right Law and Comparative Politics, but I think the most interesting class I am taking is called “Introduction to Art through Paris museums”.
My first impression of Italy was OH MY GOODNESS! EVERYTHING IS SO PRETTY!! That was literally my thoughts about every building as the shuttle drove me to my apartment. Everything is so big and different, and so much prettier compared to my hometown.
Living in Rome for the past three weeks has been one of the best experiences of my life, and two Sundays ago made it even better because I was able to witness the canonization of Mother Teresa. I had never been to the Vatican before, but it was always a place I wanted to visit. Now living in Rome it’s only a 30-minute walk from me!
You never truly know what to expect when you leave everything you know to study in a different country. A couple of weeks ago I made that leap of faith and came to Florence, Italy for a semester abroad! I have only been here for a short time but, besides the fact that I still find myself lost a majority of the time, it is starting to feel like I have been here for months!
A lot will happen during your first week here in Rome, especially if it’s barely your second time ever leaving your home country. The flight will be very long. In fact, you might get a cold because of the flight, like I did. Orientation week will be draining because there are so many things going on to better prepare you for the semester.
I’ve never been to Europe. So when I started packing and then repacking another five times before actually deciding which clothes I would be bringing, the thought of packing for yet another summer didn’t come to mind. I was leaving the California heat expecting anything but an Italian summer. Needless to say, sweatshirts, long sleeves, and pants would be the cause of my overweight bag.
Studying abroad at an Italian school, there are many similarities and differences within my academics and classes. First off, a major similarity is the fact all of my teachers and other students speak English. Though almost everyone that goes to school at John Cabot University speaks Italian as their first language, they also fluently speak English. This makes it much easier to learn. Another major similarity is the grading policies.
Choosing a few things I like about my host country is definitely a challenge, considering I love so many things. One of my absolute favorite things about living in Italy is the food culture. Italian food is one of my favorite types of food, even before coming to Italy. The Italian food here is so much more authentic and has unbelievable flavors. I also like the different courses in an Italian meal.
Despite my rather small sampling size of classes in Florence, I am going to break down the major differences and similarities in my experience at an art school in Florence versus an art school in America. Here in Italy I have completed Watercolor and Sketchbooking Florence, and am currently in Street Photography. First and foremost is the art of course.
My summer in Italy is off to a great start! I began my trip in Verona where I got to go to the Adele concert in the Arena there. It was such a beautiful concert and I’m so happy that I was able to go. Also, the timing of the concert couldn’t have been better, since I left Verona early the next morning to arrive in Napoli for the shuttle ride to Sorrento.
First and foremost, the food in Florence is finger-licking good. Jumping from dorm food, to fresh, succulent Italian cuisine, my stomach has yet to experience any symptoms of culture shock. From, a nice, affordable three course meal at Osteria de Pazzi, to greasy, late night pizza at Fo’Caccia la Notte, my tastebuds continue to be pleased. I also think it is worthy to note taste tasting gelato has been integrated into my daily routine.
This semester is coming to a close and unfortunately I have to say goodbye to this city I have fallen in love with. Florence is a small city that I have been able to spend the past four months exploring and learning from. Everywhere you go is beautiful and a piece of history and sometimes it needs to have a little cleaning.
It has come down to our final days here in Florence. We are saying bye to our friends, the delicious food, and the amazing city we have been able to call home for 4 months. Leaving is becoming harder everyday because I have built a life here and created memories I will never be able to experience again.
When I arrived in Florence back in January, I remember being absolutely terrified. I had never left the country let alone by myself and I had never been away from home for longer than a month. I remember walking around that very first day thinking what am I doing here since everything was so foreign and different to me. Those first few weeks were very difficult to say the least.
My typical day as a travel abroad student consists of usually meeting with my Italian chat pal Alessia. We practice our Italian and I help her with her English. We always get coffee, Paninis, or gelato. Sometimes I check out the events and excursion sign-up through my SAI program. –Take advantage of these!
Well, what once looked like a distant possibility is now over. For many months, I was stressing about finding the perfect program, then coordinating meetings between different departments at Tufts trying to receive course credit, and finally attaining meetings with my Dean to understand my options if I couldn’t achieve said credit. This was over six months ago before I set off on my first (or maybe it’s my second) study abroad experience.
Celebrating holidays in Italy is a little bit different than in the US. The main difference is that there is no strong marketing push for holidays; people just celebrate them. One holiday that is celebrated a bit more intently in Italy as compared to America is actually the birthday. I would have never guessed, especially because of the importance of religion in the Italian culture.
Life is a patchwork of the decisions we make. In studying abroad it seems that these decisions carry more weight because the pressure of limited time. Suggestions from friends and online reviews, photos from facebook and stories from siblings mold expectations and build up hopes for experiences abroad.
I have bitter-sweet feelings about heading back home because I know how much I’m going to miss this beautiful city of Rome..really though, I’m going to miss the gelato and cappuccino’s so much! I also know I’m going to miss traveling a few hours in any direction and landing in a new country with a different language and culture! What a life! Rome. What to say? Che bella citta!
There’s a really incredible charm about Florence. When I arrived the first day, I could feel it when I walked to my apartment or went to the grocery store. Everyday since, I’ve known there’s something special about Florence, but it took me a long time to figure out exactly what it was. Traveling to other cities helped my search.
La Seine (Seine River) is a long and important river in the north of France. I love the views around the Seine. So many trees are planted on both sides. I can see so many palaces to the north of the river, the Eiffel Tower to the west of the river and a view of Notre Dame. I enjoy the moment when I walk along the river, the wind following me.
This experience studying abroad in Rome so far has been extraordinary and I couldn’t ask for a better host country in Italy and for the adventures I’ve had in other areas like Ireland, Austria, France, Spain and Romania! I don’t know if I could begin to choose one moment in particular as my most memorable, but definitely at the top of the list sits the trip with my family to the Rock of Gibraltar.
These past two and a half months have been the time of my life. Florence has quickly become a part of me, somewhere that I know leaving will be very difficult.
These are many places I frequent in Florence. From a café, to one of the squares, I try to spend as much time as possible exploring this city that I have come to call my new home. It is crazy to think that I have been here almost three months and only have one remaining.
Ciao! My name is Olivia Mendoza and I am studying at SAI in Florence. I will be taking over the Instagram today and sharing a day in my life here. I am from Los Angeles, California, but go to school in Texas at Baylor University. This is a picture taken at Giardino di Pratolino during a spur of the moment picnic with my roommate!
This past weekend SAI Milan traveled to Rome! Upon arriving, we met up with the students from SAI Sorrento. Friday night was a relaxing evening which was welcomed after traveling. We went to La Carbonara for dinner, a traditional Romanian restaurant. In the south of Italy, they’re known for fried vegetables. Not being a huge fan of veggies myself, I was skeptical, but these were amazing! (although anything fried has to be pretty good).
We handed over our Instagram to a few students this month and asked them to take us through their day in their host city. This is Annalise’s day in Florence (April 6, 2016). Ciao Ciao! My name is Annalise Andriacchi and I’ll be taking you around Florence today to show you what it’s like to live “a day in the life of an SAI student”. A bit about myself: I am a junior studying Hospitality Management at the University of Missouri.
We handed over our Instagram to a few students this month and asked them to take us through their day in their host city. This is Talia’s day in Barcelona (April 3, 2016). Hey everyone! I’m Talia and I’m studying at ELISAVA this semester in Barcelona with SAI. I’m originally from outside DC and I study graphic design at VCU. Here’s a pic from my amazing spring break in Rome! Quick snack before a Sunday outside!
I have experienced so many different things since coming to Rome. There are times I still need to pinch myself to believe it is real. My time in Rome has been amazing and I can’t believe it is already halfway done! Just like every student, I’ve had my challenging moments of studying abroad.
We handed over our Instagram to a few students this month and asked them to take us through their day in their host city. This is Ashley’s day in Florence (March 29, 2016). Ciao! My name is Ashley Shealor, I’m from Charleston, South Carolina and a Junior at University of South Carolina, currently studying at FUA in Florence, Italy!
We handed over our Instagram to a few students this month and asked them to take us through their day in their host city. This is Cristian’s day in Barcelona (March 25, 2016). Hola todos! My name is Cristian Constantino. I am a senior at The University of Texas at El Paso, studying media advertising. Today I will take over SAI’s instagram account and show you around Barcelona!
I have experienced so many different things since coming to Rome. There are times I still need to pinch myself to believe it is real. My time in Rome has been amazing and I can’t believe it is already halfway done! Just like every student, I’ve had my challenging moments of studying abroad.
“It’s the time of your life!! You will never want to come back to America!! You’re going to fall in love with places you’ve never been to and people you haven’t met! You are going to find yourself and this experience is going to change your life!” These are some of the things former study abroad students tell you about going abroad…. Am I right?
My journey getting to Florence was a long, hauled out, highly anticipated journey. When I told my study abroad counselor 1 year ago I wanted to study abroad in Florence during the spring semester, he told me I was too early and to come back in the fall semester when applications actually opened. I have known since the beginning of college that I wanted to come to Italy.
We handed over our Instagram to a few students this month and asked them to take us through their day in their host city. This is Melissa’s day in Rome (March 23, 2016). Ciao! My name is Melissa Stel. I am a junior at St. Norbert College in Wisconsin, studying History and Political Science.
We handed over our Instagram to a few students this month and asked them to take us through their day in their host city. This is Jenica’s day in Florence (March 17, 2016). Buongiorno!My name is Jenica Sounart and I’ll be taking over for the day! I am currently a sophomore studying Hospitality Management at Colorado State University & am here in Florence as a culinary arts student. Today is my last day before Intersession (spring break)
We handed over our Instagram to a few students this month and asked them to take us through their day in their host city. This is Layah’s day in Rome (March 16, 2016). Ciao! My name is Layah and I’m a Junior at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, CA studying abroad at JCU in Rome! Today I’ll be sharing my normal Wednesday with you in this “bella città” :)
Just as there are some differences between the states of Wisconsin and New York there are tons of differences between countries like Florence and the United States. Whether I love the differences or can barely stand them I have to embrace every second of it because there is no changing culture and to rebel would be rude, look silly, and would be a waste of time.
We handed over our Instagram to a few students this month and asked them to take us through their day in their host city. This is Noah’s day in Florence (March 14, 2016). Good morning! My name is Noah and today I will taking over the SAI Instagram to show you what my day is like in Florence! This is the view from my front door.
On a daily basis, I usually interact with the locals directly or indirectly. Whether it’s choosing gelato flavors, asking questions to my host family, or finding the right cold medicine at the pharmacy, there are a lot of opportunities to interact with locals. I don’t know what interaction with a local to consider my first, because all of the first people I met spoke English, or at least some.
NYC, LONDON, MILAN, PARIS. Fashion week travels from one city to the next. Fashion week, fashion week, IT IS FINALLY HERE. Milan fashion week is the biggest and best fashion week of them all. I have been looking forward to Milan fashion week since I arrived. Going to school in the Midwest, I never dreamed I would have the opportunity to attend fashion shows during fashion week.
During my first week in my new coastal town of Sorrento, Italy, I noticed a lot of different things. There is a lot to notice here because there is a lot to look at in the first place. This is a busy and colorful town, with new things to discover every day. However, there are some things that are completely impossible to overlook because they are so apparent on a daily basis.
After months of anticipation and planning, January 25th 2016 finally came around, the day I left for my study abroad experience in Florence, Italy. Looking back at the day I left and my travel here I would say the hardest part was saying goodbyes to family and friends in person.
It’s easy to get sucked into the rhythm of schedule. Suddenly after 6 weeks time clouds your vision of how extraordinary your ordinary is. My tip for new students and a personal goal for myself is to never let the comfort of routine settle, and to be open to the experiences that disrupt monotony.
“It’s the time of your life!! You will never want to come back to America!! You’re going to fall in love with places you’ve never been to and people you haven’t met! You are going to find yourself and this experience is going to change your life!” These are some of the things former study abroad students tell you about going abroad…. Am I right?
Dear Mom, It’s already been about two weeks since I arrived in Florence and a lot has happened. I’ve met new roommates; I’ve changed my diet (quite a bit of pasta and pizza); I’ve walked more than I ever imagined; and I’ve started new classes to name a few things. Throughout, there have been the ups and the downs.
I am going to give you some insight into the 10 things I learned my first week studying abroad. Before I came abroad I thought people were over exaggerating experiences and information, but boy was I wrong. So if you are thinking about going abroad here are some things I picked up really quickly. 1. You walk… A LOT.
I’ve only been in Florence for a week and I already want to live here for the rest of my life. The people, the city, and the lifestyle, all of it is wonderful! From the first day of living in this bustling city, I’ve noticed some very obvious cultural differences both great and a somewhat strange. 1.
My journey to Florence, Italy, started on Monday, January 25th. Because I had never been to an airport, I was a little nervous to embark on the trip all alone. Luckily, I met a girl named Ellen, who was in the same program and going to the same place I was. We met up at the gate to board and all my nerves were calmed.
Ciao Amici! It has been an amazing, fast-paced, wonderful first week living in Rome, Italy! I arrived on Tuesday morning, and it’s been non-stop excitement and activities since I stepped off the plane. My favorite part of orientation week was Thursday because we explored the ancient city of Ostia Antica and learned about the history of Rome! Having a love for architecture and history, this excursion was a perfect blend of my favorite things!
I promise I’m not much of a jetsetter but in the span of 3 days I took a total of 5 flights. Because of a family vacation I took a nauseating 2 hour car ride from Cayafate to Salta Argentina, flew from there to Buenos Aires where I then stopped in Miami to catch my connecting flight to Washington DC.
As I walked off the plane in Milan, I knew this city was special. There were so many fashionable men and women, and this was only in baggage claim. From gorgeous leather handbags to beautiful coats and shoes, I realized the fashion here was serious. As I begin to settle in, here are a few things I have learned in my first week: 1. I should have tried to learn some Italian before I left.
I’ve been in Rome for three full days. During these three days I have been on a constant travel high. I am so consumed by the history around me and the people I am meeting. Being immersed in a new culture is such an amazing feeling. The Roman culture is very different from Wisconsin, yet I still find some similarities here and there. First off, the driving and walking is crazy.
THE MUSEUMS 1. The Uffizi Gallery: An amazing art collection established in 1581. Get lost among the masterpieces of the Renaissance and Baroque. 2. Galleria dell’Accademia: Originally intended to be a Michelangelo museum, the Accademia is now home to the original David, along with several other of the artist’s works. The museum also boasts a large collection of Gothic and Renaissance paintings. 3. Palazzo Vecchio: The seat of the Florentine government since its construction in the 14th century.
I’ve undergone more changes and matured faster in the past 4 months than in the past 4 years in college. Yes, that’s a very bold statement, but it’s true. Coming to Florence was a huge breath of fresh air. I was initially so happy to be out of my hometown, Bethesda, which was quite homogenous and filled with type A, semi-pretentious and ambitious liberals.
Taylor was selected as an SAI scholarship recipient and blogger for the Spring 2016 term. She is a current student at Washington State University studying at Florence University of the Arts in Italy, during the Spring 2016 term. 10 FUN FACTS ABOUT TAYLOR 1. I am scuba certified through NAUI. 2. I have bottle fed twin calves for a month (their names were Greg and Bridget). 3. I was president of my sorority Kappa Kappa Gamma as a sophomore. 4.
Jenica was selected as an SAI scholarship recipient and blogger for the Spring 2016 term. She is a current student at Colorado State University studying at Florence University of the Arts in Italy, during the Spring 2016 term. 10 FUN FACTS ABOUT JENICA I love anything related to food. Cooking it, eating it, learning about it, I’d say food occupies my mind most of the day. I believe God has a purpose for each and every one of us (Romans 8:28).
Noah was selected as an SAI scholarship recipient and blogger for the Spring 2016 term. He is a current student at Tufts University studying at Florence University of the Arts in Italy, during the Spring 2016 term. 10 FUN FACTS ABOUT NOAH I love going on adventures, whether that’s hiking up a ravine and skiing with my family (see the picture) or finding one-of-a-kind pizza places with my friends. I love skiing and surfing, baseball and soccer, and golf.
Melissa was selected as an SAI scholarship recipient and blogger for the Spring 2016 term. She is a current student at St. Norbert College studying at John Cabot University in Rome, Italy, during the Spring 2016 term. 10 FUN FACTS ABOUT MELISSA 1. I am from a small town in Wisconsin 2. I am left-handed 3. I have been to Zambia and South Africa for a humanitarian trip 4. I used to work at Lambeau Field 5.
Studying abroad, a story of how a man became a boy….Just kidding, it’s not that deep, these are the 12 things that I learned while studying abroad. 1. Experiencing a variety of cultures makes me ask more questions about the world. Did you know that the United States is not the center of the universe? If you would have asked me this question three months ago my head would’ve exploded in disbelief. 2.
I can’t believe how fast the semester went! (I was done with my finals pretty early in the week – just enough time to enjoy the next several days without homework and say some goodbyes before leaving. But, as usual, finals wore me out and I was sick with the flu for most of the week. I still managed to do some last minute shopping and pack without too much difficulty.)
Cristian was selected as an SAI scholarship recipient and blogger for the Spring 2016 term. She is a current student at The University of Texas at El Paso studying at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona in Spain, during the Spring 2016 term. 10 FUN FACTS ABOUT CRISTIAN I am a senior at The University of Texas at El Paso pursuing a major in media avertising with a double minor in marketing and management.
Zhuyun was selected as an SAI scholarship recipient and blogger for the Spring 2016 term. She is a current student at Cedar Crest College studying at The American University of Paris in France during the Spring 2016 term. 10 FUN FACTS ABOUT ZHUYUN 1. I have to have enough sleep and a good healthy breakfast to start everyday. 2. Sometimes, I want to be surrounded by a lot of people, but I also want to be alone. 3. I love smiling. 4.
Talia was selected as an SAI scholarship recipient and blogger for the Spring 2016 term. She is a current student at Virginia Commonwealth University studying at Elisava Barcelona School of Design and Engineering in Barcelona, Spain during the Spring 2016 term. 10 FUN FACTS ABOUT TALIA In the winter, my space heater is my best friend. I love exploring farmer’s markets. I speak Spanish with my family. I like to bake vegan desserts.
Sheena was selected as an SAI scholarship recipient and blogger for the Spring 2016 term. She is a current student at Carroll University studying at Florence University of the Arts in Florence, Italy during the Spring 2016 term. 10 FUN FACTS ABOUT SHEENA 1. I have never seen an airplane up close nor the ocean. 2. I dislike wearing socks and prefer to go barefoot. 3. I danced for 13 years. 4. The smell of sandalwood is wonderful.
There’s a Paris before the terror attacks that took place on Friday, November 13, and there’s a Paris after the attacks. When we heard the news we weren’t even in Paris. The American University of Paris, was holding Fall Break from November 11-15, which was a great opportunity for students to travel. Seven of us from SAI had met in Prague earlier that day.
I can’t believe that the semester here in Siena has gone by so fast! Through my almost four months living here in this beautiful city, I feel like I have simultaneously experienced a lifetime of adventure and yet have only scratched the surface of what this city has to offer.
Hylen was selected as an SAI scholarship recipient and blogger for the Spring 2016 term. She is a current student at Washington State University studying at Florence University of the Arts in Florence, Italy during the Spring 2016 term. 10 FUN FACTS ABOUT HYLEN I value my family and friends highly and dear to my heart, I would do anything for them.
Molly was selected as an SAI scholarship recipient and blogger for the Spring 2016 term. She is a current student at University of Missouri studying at Nuova Academia di Belle Arti in Milan, Italy during the Spring 2016 term. 10 FUN FACTS ABOUT MOLLY I am studying Textile and Apparel Management at Mizzou. I am from Minnesota. I am very energetic! I am very passionate about fashion (One of the many reasons why I am studying abroad in Milan).
Layah was selected as an SAI scholarship recipient and blogger for the Spring 2016 term. She is a current student at Point Loma Nazarene University studying at John Cabot University in Rome, Italy during the Spring 2016 term. 10 FUN FACTS ABOUT LAYAH I am a dual citizen of the U.S.A. and Canada. I’ve played classical and Spanish flamenco guitar for 11 years and it’s one of my favorite things to do.
Three weeks ago my parents were able to come and visit me in Rome! It was so exciting and comforting to see them for a week and show them around Trastevere, though the time went by fast. They seemed to enjoy themselves in that short, busy week. It was their first time abroad and it was fun to watch them experience everything I once experienced a few months ago for the first time.
It wasn’t until after I came home from fall break did I feel like Florence was my home. Before leaving for break I didn’t feel as if the city was a part of me yet, or if there was really anything about it that would ever rail me back in later on in life.
The SAI Rome program offers a variety of included excursions during the semester that have helped enrich my experience being abroad. These excursions provide cultural events that I may normally not have had the opportunity to participate in. I have thoroughly enjoyed every SAI activity that I have been a part of. This week I had the wonderful opportunity to participate in an Italian Cooking Lesson through the SAI program.
I made the slightly stupid but still courageous decision to plan my own Fall break with my roommate and another friend. It’s a great experience; it forces you to plan the details and rely on yourself (plus other students going with you). 1. Do NOT book overnight travel— (past 1 am – before 6 am). Europe doesn’t operate that smoothly after hours, especially not Italy.
Hayley was selected as an SAI scholarship recipient and blogger for the Spring 2016 term. She is a current student at Indiana University of Pennsylvania studying at Sant’Anna Institute (SA) in Sorrento, Italy during the Spring 2016 term. 10 FUN FACTS ABOUT HAYLEY I am a musical composer, constantly working on new pieces for theater, choirs, and film! I am absolutely obsessed with the Holiday season, mostly because of Christmas music! My interest in classic films (and films/film making in general)
Olivia was selected as an SAI scholarship recipient and blogger for the Spring 2016 term. She is a current student at Baylor University studying at Florence University of the Arts (FUA) in Florence, Italy during the Spring 2016 term. 10 FUN FACTS ABOUT OLIVIA 1. I am a Junior Speech Pathology major at Baylor University, which I absolutely love. A passion of mine is working with special needs children, which I hope to do after I graduate. 2.
1. Remember your goals Why did you choose to come to this country? What were you looking to discover? I find it helpful to continually remind myself of my original goals. Are there any goals that you have yet to complete? Each day, you are able to make the choice to work towards them. “The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.” – Michael Altshuler 2.
Ashley was selected as an SAI scholarship recipient and blogger for the Spring 2016 term. She is a current student at University of South Carolina studying at Florence University of the Arts (FUA) in Florence, Italy during the Spring 2016 term. 10 FUN FACTS ABOUT ASHLEY I go to USC and am a Public Health Major. I am from the South but don’t like grits or sweet tea. I have twin sisters. I suffer from a diet coke addiction.
Annalise was selected as an SAI scholarship recipient and blogger for the Spring 2016 term. She is a current student at University of Missouri studying at Florence University of the Arts (FUA) in Florence, Italy during the Spring 2016 term. 10 FUN FACTS ABOUT ANNALISE I attend the University of Missouri (Mizzou) and am a Hospitality Management major (Conference and Events) with a Business minor.
Fitting in can take a long time to achieve in an exchange. By “fitting in”, I mean feeling less like a tourist and more like a part of the society. I have now been in Italy for 2 ½ months and I am just now beginning to feel like this is my home. I am dressing more like an Italian, I can navigate my way through Italian cities, and I know how transportation works.
I’m beginning my third month here in beautiful Siena, and I’m finally seeing a possible dip in the large amount of tourists that cover this city every day. Coming here, I didn’t realize that Siena was such a popular destination for tourists, and the realization was both entertaining and frustrating.
A couple weeks ago the students of SAI Barcelona, including myself, traveled to a beautiful city in Spain known as Sevilla. We were all excited to experience a different kind of Spanish culture and see what we could learn from it. The weekend´s itinerary was packed wtih activities, sights, and meals that we could not wait for! On the first day, we arrived in Sevilla in the morning with much planned for us.
The past month and a half has consisted of moments of excitement, amazement, nervousness, and adventure. Make it a routine to try new things, go new places, and meet new people. Seek things that you are interested in and curious about. Allow yourself to wander into unfamiliar parts of town, where you might just find your next favorite spot.
I am so glad that I have chosen to study abroad in Siena. I am having an amazing time here and I would like to share with you a few tips or things that I have noticed, that could be helpful if you are planning to study abroad. If I could go back in time to when I was packing for Italy, I would pack very differently.
FOOD 1. Osteria Santo Spirito. Piazza Santo Spirito, 16/R I have gone here six or seven times and it has been great every time. This place is very cheap, with primi piatti pasta dishes for as little as 5 Euro for a big portion. 2. All’Antico Vinaio. Via dei Neri, 74/R The best panini in Florence. All’Antico Vanaio is famous.
We handed over our Instagram to a few students this month and asked them to take us through their day in their host city. This is Kelsey’s day in Rome (October 28, 2015). Ciao, good morning! My name is Kelsey and I am studying at John Cabot University in Rome this semester. This picture was taken a few weeks ago from one of the many times I have visited the Colosseum.
Well, for Chicago being the largest city I ever visited before, I’m happy to say that I love life in Rome. After two months I feel like I’ve settled in enough where I no longer feel like an outsider. There are still many moments that catch me off guard, but overall, I know what to expect when I leave my apartment. Thankfully, navigating my way around Rome has gotten a lot easier.
I consider myself to be someone who is always prepared. I like knowing that I can handle any curve ball or unexpected situation that may come my way. So once I decided to study abroad, I began to research anything and everything about picking the right place to spend my semester abroad. Shortly, I came to the conclusion that Barcelona was the city for me.
I know student budgets are tight, but traveling is the most rewarding way to spend your money. Seriously, take off your pizza-stained hoody and explore Florence. Take impromptu bus and train trips around Italy and plan weekends in Barcelona, or Côte d’Azur, or Dublin. You’re never going to be 20-something again, studying in a foreign country and building friendships that could easily last the rest of your life.
We handed over our Instagram to a few students this month and asked them to take us through their day in their host city. This is Clara’s day in Siena (October 19, 2015). Good morning! My name is Clara Kobler, and I’m spending my entire junior year in the lovely little city of Siena, Italy. Today, I’ll be taking you through a typical Tuscan day!
We handed over our Instagram to a few students this month and asked them to take us through their day in their host city. This is Alvaro’s day in Florence (October 15, 2015). Hello everyone! My name is Álvaro Castro Cid, I am currently a Senior at Colorado State University and a proud native Coloradan. Currently I am attending Florence University of the Arts in Firenze, Italia!
We handed over our Instagram to a few students this month and asked them to take us through their day in their host city. This is Claire’s day in Sorrento (October 14, 2015). Buongiorno! My name is Claire and I’m so excited to show you all what a day in Sorrento, Italy is like. I’m a senior from the University of Mary Washington in Virginia, and this semester, I’m studying at @stannainstitute in Sorrento, and loving every minute!
We handed over our Instagram to a few students this month and asked them to take us through their day in their host city. This is Robert’s (Bobby) day in Paris (October 13, 2015). Bonjour everyone! My name is Bobby Caruso and today I’ll be taking over the SAI Instagram. This semester my dreams are coming true by studying abroad in Paris with SAI.
I have been here for a month! My time abroad has been flying by and I have loved every minute of it! I feel the biggest change from last month is the fact that I now call Rome home. After doing some traveling, it is always nice to be back home in Rome and sleep in my own bed. This feeling of home away from home is very comforting.
This past weekend I travelled to Rimini, a beach town on the Adriatic, to meet a friend from my home university who is studying in Turin. Being such a distance from home, I felt a level of independence I have never experienced before. I navigated the foreign train stations with delays, connections, and all. While traveling, I realized that trains in Italy are very often late, sometimes in your favor, sometimes not.
I have now been in Siena for almost 2 weeks; it still seems unreal. I have a wonderful host family and I live right in the city center. I am 2 minutes walking distance from the Piazza del Campo. That is the most famous Piazza in Siena and it is beautiful. There are also tons of tourists that pass through Siena, and you are sure to find many of them in the Piazza del Campo.
Today marks two weeks since I touched down in Paris and the experience has been life changing, eye opening and remarkable. While I have been to Paris in the past, this was the first time I lived abroad and I have already learned so much. Here’s just a sample of the many things I’ve learned already. 1. Paris is as Beautiful as I Remembered it.
It’s been 12 days since I’ve moved to Florence (Firenze) and there are all sorts of emotions going through my head. For once in my life I feel homesick, often. How am I feeling homesick in a city that’s so beautiful, full of culture and places to discover, a place that feels so right? Well, even I cannot give you that answer.
1. Make yourself at home. This place is going to be your home for the next few months, so start acting like it right away! Get acclimated to your surroundings by exploring the neighborhood around your apartment. Spend the first few days checking out the local restaurants and shops.
Okay, so you’re in a new country, you barely know the language, or the customs. How quickly can you adjust? There’s no specific time limit or methodology to how you can best orient yourself when moving to another country, but those first few days are the most crucial.
How are things different from my culture? 1. I have read about Florence in quite a few books, but man is experiencing it first hand a whole other experience. One of the largest differences that I have noticed between American and Italian culture is that Americans are (or at least they try to be) obsessed with order. Italians seem to be more about going with the flow.
I made it! After months and months of planning, researching and waiting, I have finally made it to Barcelona! Before my departure, many people had asked me if I was nervous aboutleaving the country for 4 months. But to be honest, all the excitement and preparation left me no room to be nervous. I got off the plane feeling tired above anything else.
I can’t believe I’ve made it through my first week in Sorrento, Italy! Sorrento has surpassed my expectations in every way. I am so blown away by this little town. The people are kind and interesting, the views are stunning, and the food is beyond life changing. I’m having so much fun, and I’m learning so much! I’m excited to share some of my more important lessons from the last several days. 1.
Each day, I leave my apartment and hop in the elevator, ready to embark on a day full of adventures. As soon as I step out of the elevator and onto the street, I am reminded of the beauty that Paris has to offer by the cobblestone streets, people walking their dogs, and the smells of the bakery around the corner, even the beauty of hearing native French is like music to my ears.
Adjusting to a new city is hard, especially in a new country. However, it can be done! Part of studying abroad is learning how to adapt culturally in different areas of the world, and that is what my first week here in Siena has been about.
I didn’t know what to expect when I told my friends and family back home that I was going abroad. Everyone was surprised and encouraging and now I understand why. Going to a different country and going to Europe for the first time— is a really, really (really) big thing. I seemed to convince myself that there would be familiarities to home that I could rely on and everything new would slowly sink in.
