Happy finals week! I can’t believe this is my last week already.
During the six weeks studying abroad I have learned not only so much about Italy but also myself. Some soft skills I developed throughout the six week semester were communication, self-discipline, and time management. During cultural interactions I took notes on how locals communicated whether it was at grocery stores, public transportation, tourist attractions, or restaurants. I picked up on some words of the Italian language like “chao”, “grazie”, and “buongiorno”. I tried my best to use those phrases frequently with Italians out of respect.
Self-discipline was difficult especially regarding my classes. There was an instance where I decided to stay in rather than going to my favorite dinner spot Trattoria Za-Za. I had an Art History final the next day and needed to spend more time studying. The hardest part of studying abroad is remembering why you are there…to take classes. There is so much to see and do while being in a new country across the globe but you can not leave your assignments and ambition in the classroom behind.
Time-management goes along with learning self-discipline. I needed to plan my trips and activities accordingly to not intervene with my studies. It was difficult coming back late from weekend trips then rushing to finish an assignment due by my 10am class the next morning. Throughout the program I began to get a head start on my assignments so that I did not have to stress about finishing them on time. Also, during trips we had to efficiently plan so that we have enough time to make it on the train or plane back to Florence.
An improved hard skill that I associate most with this program is my creativity and artistic ability. While pursuing a Studio Arts minor, I was most excited to be surrounded with the rich art culture of Florence. I took a drawing class that I absolutely loved! We drew objects in class, architecture outside, and even portraits of our classmates and professor. My professor was great at motivating us and constantly giving us feedback on how to get better. I have saw such progression in my work and noticed the strong ability I have in drawing still-life and portraits. My professor definitely taught me a lot, and I am grateful to have been able to be a part of his class.
Moving on from this program, I want to make sure to take these skills I have developed with me going forward. The soft skills: communication, self-discipline, and time-management are skills that I can apply in almost every scenario. My growth in artistic ability can guide me in the right direction with my future career of creative marketing/advertising but also with my personal leisure and interest in art.
Walking into this experience, I did not realize all of the skills I could develop. It was six weeks of growth, excitement, and the best food!