It’s midterms week here in Florence, so we are about halfway through the program. It feels like I just got here, but I have already been here for almost two months. It still feels unbelievable that I get to live in a city as beautiful as Florence. I have loved exploring Italy so far, and I have been able to travel to Austria and Switzerland, too. I can confidently say that I have fully adjusted to the time differences and my routine in Italy.
Adapting to a few aspects of Italy’s culture has been difficult. The most challenging aspect to adjust to is the language. I have studied Italian in high school and college for almost five years. I can read and write Italian well, but listening to and speaking Italian is harder for me because I have had less practice. I want to practice my Italian when speaking to Italians on the street or in restaurants and cafes. However, as soon as I make a mistake, the person I am speaking with typically switches to English. Also, Italians speak much faster than I am used to speaking in class, and I often cannot interpret what they are saying. I have found myself asking others, “Tu parli inglese?” or “Do you speak English?” While I am able to get by just speaking English, I hope to keep practicing and improving my Italian.
Additionally, I am also not used to the slower lifestyle in Italy. I am usually the person walking fastest on the sidewalk, or I am trying to flag down the waiter for the check at a restaurant. I am unfamiliar with moving and walking slowly to appreciate my surroundings or enjoying the moment and not rushing to the next. In the US, there is a culture of productivity and efficiency. Moving slowly, not rushing, and taking too much time to relax or appreciate little things can be considered negative. I like to avoid having too much leisure time, so it is uncomfortable to have this time abroad. However, this uncomfortably challenges me to adopt Italy’s culture and truly appreciate my life at each moment.
Despite these challenges and differences, I have felt comfortable being on my own in Italy and navigating Florence. My previous global experience in Germany has well-prepared me to come to Italy. I already came to Italy with some global competencies, such as the ability to communicate across language barriers, how to be safe in new environments, and how to navigate unfamiliar areas. I am excited to apply these skills as I travel to Sicily, Naples, and the Amalfi Coast for spring break next week!