Ciao! The weather in Florence has finally hit a steady period of warmth (50s–60s), and there have been far fewer rainy days. However, the weather here was the last thing I needed to “adapt to,” as it was in the 40s when I arrived (as opposed to the negatives in Pittsburgh). One cultural aspect I have had to adapt to, though, is the difference in schedules. The first instance of this was late dinners. While I used to eat around 5:00–6:00 pm, most restaurants here do not even open until 7:00 pm. It is also very typical for meals to last several hours, with some groups finishing their meals around 11:00 pm.

At first, I felt out of place finishing my food and immediately expecting the check; however, I have grown to appreciate the relaxed, steady pace of going out for food. I have even adopted the same lengthy meal behavior, which allows me to be more present and engaged in my conversations. I have also come to understand that asking your waiter for the check is standard behavior, despite the length of your meal.

Adjusting to meal times is just one of the many examples of cultural differences I have experienced abroad. There are many aspects of daily life here that move at a different pace than the typical rush of the United States. Florence is a massive tourist destination, and it is only getting busier as the weather warms up. Whether it is waiting longer for service at restaurants,  navigating the busy yet narrow streets, or even taking time to help vacationers who are unfamiliar with the area, these small moments have required patience and flexibility.

These adjustments have also appeared in my classes. My Italian course requires me to complete many repetitive exercises to ensure that the vocabulary and grammar I learn sticks. While this is not extremely different from my normal courses at Pitt, what is mainly different is having to put in the effort to practice the language outside the classroom with locals. This involves speaking with waiters, shop owners, taxi drivers, and more. It felt intimidating at first as I would occasionally get choked up on words or take a long time forming sentences, but with consistent practice, it has become a normal task rather than a challenge. It has also helped me form closer bonds with the locals I interact with as they tend to appreciate my efforts to communicate in their language, even if we switch to English.