There are a few parts of the culture in Florence that have been challenging. One of the first things I noticed was how different the style is here compared to what I am used to. Before coming here, I knew that Florence was known for people dressing well. So, I tried to plan for that when packing. However, now that the weather is starting to get a little warmer, I’ve noticed that people still wear a lot of layers. Back home, the weather we are having right now would definitely be considered shorts and T-shirt weather. Here though, people still tend to dress much more formally and wear jackets or coats.
Another challenge has been the language. For the most part, communicating is not too difficult. Many people understand and speak English. However, there are definitely moments where communication becomes more difficult. In those situations, I sometimes rely on translation from my phone or help from nearby people who speak both languages. Even though it can be a little uncomfortable at first, it usually works out.
To manage these challenges, I have mostly just tried to stay aware and respectful of the culture around me. When it comes to clothing, I try to be mindful of what I’m wearing depending on where I am going. For example, if I know I will be visiting a church or a historical site, I make sure to dress more appropriately. With the language barrier, I’ve noticed that the longer you are here, the easier things become. You start recognizing more words and phrases just from hearing them every day.
My Italian language class has also helped a lot with this. We practice speaking regularly, and our teacher is incredibly helpful. She grew up in Florence. So, she is always willing to answer questions about language or culture. Her perspective has been really valuable because you know you can trust what she says about culture.
In terms of the classroom experience, I haven’t really run into many situations where directions or expectations were unclear. All of my professors have been great so far and very helpful when explaining assignments or activities.
Cross-cultural interactions definitely happen a lot here. Many of the interactions are with locals. Honestly, some people in Florence do not seem very excited about having so many students and tourists around. However, I’ve noticed that people usually warm up if you make a real effort to speak Italian. Also, you have to show respect for the culture and social norms here. Even just trying a few words in Italian can make a big difference.
When you actually get into a conversation with locals, it can be a really great experience. I enjoy hearing their perspectives on different topics and learning about how they see life in Florence.
The people in my program have also been great to share this experience with. Being surrounded by other students who are going through the same adjustments makes everything easier. It has made adapting to a new culture feel a lot less overwhelming and a lot more enjoyable.