Ciao! Studying abroad in Florence has been the best experience of my life so far, but it’s not all rainbows and sunshine. Being here for two months, with two more to go, I’ve learned that you have to adapt and embrace living like a local.
The biggest challenge for me has been adjusting to the pace of life in Florence. In America, especially as a college student in a city, everyone is always rushing somewhere, constantly busy. Because of this, I’ve always felt the need to keep up in order to not fall behind. I’ve come to love that fast-paced lifestyle, having always dreamed of living in a city where there’s something to do at all times. But in Florence, it’s the complete opposite. People here take their time with everything—from strolling to a café for breakfast to lingering for hours over dinner. Italians know how to slow down and appreciate the moment, which has been a major adjustment for me. I’ve even found myself running to class, only to notice heads turning in surprise. No matter the situation, even if you’re late, Italians take their time. Fortunately, I see this as a blessing in disguise. I’ve been told before that I need to slow down and enjoy life, and Florence is teaching me just that. Right now, I’m working on sitting through dinner without feeling impatient when the waiter doesn’t bring the check immediately. Instead, I’m learning to relax and enjoy conversations with my roommates, just like the locals do.
When it comes to my studies and classes here, I’ve had little to no issues! My course load has been fairly light, with most of my classes fulfilling arts and science credits. I’m learning how to sculpt, studying Italian, and exploring museology: the study of museums. Since I haven’t taken many arts and science courses at Pitt, balancing study time with actually appreciating what I’m learning has been an interesting challenge. For example, in my museology class, it’s important to take the time to understand the meaning behind different pieces of art in various museums while also listening to the professor and taking notes. I’ve started to truly enjoy this way of learning because there’s always something new to discover, even outside the classroom or on a weekend trip.
Overall, Florence is easy to navigate, especially with so many other Pitt Business students in the program. We all look out for each other and enjoy running into one another throughout the day. When I’m on my own, however, it can sometimes be challenging to communicate that I’m an American and still learning Italian. That said, most locals speak English, which makes it easier to enjoy my time here. I can’t wait to see what the second half of my semester holds, especially with such an amazing group of people!
