Learning to slow down has been one of the most challenging aspects of adapting to the culture in Florence. I have always been a fast walker and like to quickly get to where I am going even if I am not in a rush. Looking around on the streets as I walk, I quickly realized that this is not the norm as I was speeding past everyone. Locals in Florence tend to walk leisurely, fully absorbing everything around them and appreciating their walks.  It did feel unnatural in the beginning, but as I made more of a conscious effort to try to slow down I have been learning to enjoy this pace. This has also made me more observant of what is around me.  Another change has been the fact that so many stores and restaurants are closed on Sundays. At first, it felt like an inconvenience , but I’ve started to see it as a forced opportunity to slow down and relax. In America everything is open 24/7, not only convenience,  but also to encourage spending and businesses to profit. In Italy, there’s a stronger emphasis on rest and work-life balance, which has been a refreshing change in perspective.

Outside of the classroom, being on my own has also been an adjustment. I’m very close with my family, and when I travel, my parents handle the planning, itinerary, and logistics. Now, all of that is up to me and I have to allocate time for it along with classes and homework. Whenever I need a reset or am feeling homesick in Pittsburgh, I have the ability to go home to Jersey for the weekend but that is not an option here. I have been trying to find ways to manage homesickness without actually going home. 

Navigating Florence has been both exciting and overwhelming. It feels like there’s so much time since we’re here every weekday. On the other hand, I feel like there’s not enough time to see and do  everything. I want to explore other places in Italy and beyond, but I also want to fully appreciate  Florence. There’s so much to see beyond the main tourist areas, and I’ve started keeping a list of things I want to do here. Each week, I try to cross something off so that I’m making the most of my time in the city while still leaving room for travel.

Hiking in Slovenia!