We recently caught up with SAI Ambassador Kristen, who answers some questions about her time in Florence. 

What was your favorite class abroad and why?
My favorite class I took abroad was my Wine Marketing class. I took it at the beginning of my semester every day for three weeks straight. It was a great way to be introduced to the Italian wine culture. We were able to learn about how wineries in the Tuscan region produced and distributed their wines, how to properly taste wines, and interact with two local wine connoisseurs. I made great first connections while in this class.

Traditional Pasta and Italian Wine

What advice do you have for new study abroad students?
My biggest advice for new study abroad students would be to keep track of their travels and memories. Whether it is by journaling, blogging, photography, or social media. This extremely important for me because I wanted to document in detail all of my experiences. I am now able to share my journal about my four months abroad with friends and family back home easily. I will cherish my travel journal and use it to share my experiences with SAI abroad.

A Leaning Tower of Ice Cream

What is your favorite memory from studying abroad?
Although I will cherish all of my memories from abroad, my favorite memory from abroad was attending the farewell dinner with SAI. It was held at a family winery in the Tuscan hills and a majority of the students from the program had signed up to go. I enjoyed traveling to another winery and spending the night with both old friends from USC and new friends that I had made abroad. That was a very special night because it allowed me to reflect on all of the experiences I had had over the four months abroad. I was able to appreciate the connections I had made.

Kayaking in Switzerland

What was your favorite thing to do in your host city?
My favorite thing to do in my free time was to visit La La Ménagère, a popular café down the street from my apartment. I felt like I could experience the Italian culture while interacting with locals and sipping on my daily cappuccinos. I would visit the café to work on homework, journal, or get aperitivo with my friends.

Duomo Views

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Kristen was an SAI Florence spring 2018 student from the University of South Carolina.