I have loved living in Florence so far! However, it was definitely an adjustment, and I had to adapt to aspects of Florentine culture. At first, it was very intimidating to walk into a cafe or shop and not understand the language. This language barrier was something that I had to get used to. I came to understand that most Italian store or restaurant owners will speak to you in English once they realize you do not understand. Others will immediately switch to English because they can tell we are Americans. I have also had other interactions where the other person does not understand any English, so I have to find a way to communicate, and it can be very challenging. After being in Italian class, I try to push myself out of my comfort zone and have conversations with store owners in Italian without fear of embarrassing myself. Most of the time, they even help me with my pronunciation, which I find very encouraging. 

Another aspect of Florentine culture that I have struggled to adapt to is the food. A big part of what they eat here is bread, whether it’s pastries for breakfast, pizza, or sandwiches. I am allergic to baker’s yeast, so I cannot eat any bread, and it is often hard for me to find something to eat. A typical breakfast is coffee and a pastry, but I cannot eat any pastry. There are also many popular sandwich shops for lunch. Usually, I can order a wrap instead of bread, but I haven’t seen any places here that offer that option. Due to globalization in Florence, there is a variety of non-Italian foods, so I often get sushi. This saves me from having to eat pasta every day. 

In Florence, life is slowed down. People are not in a rush all the time like they are in the US. When they are having lunch or dinner, they often spend many hours just eating and having conversations with whoever they are with. At Pitt, I like to keep an organized schedule that is usually packed with little free time. But being in Florence without my responsibilities for my dance clubs and the other organizations I am involved with, I have the freedom to be more relaxed in my schedule and do something new each day if I choose to. Instead of having my classes, doing my work, having dance rehearsals, and club meetings, my day could look like anything. Sometimes I like to visit a new art museum or try a new restaurant, things I wouldn’t usually do at Pitt. Although it has been an adjustment, I am loving my new routine and way of life here in Florence!