Having only traveled out of the US a couple of times for a grand total of 2 weeks, I was excited but also very nervous to be leaving home to live in a completely new place for a whole semester. I knew it would be an amazing experience and I knew that it would change my life. So I boarded the plane in Atlanta and looked forward to what Florence would hold for me. Traveling itself was easier than I expected. I navigated 3 airports and tried to start to adjust to Italy time. (If you’re headed to the Frankfurt airport, be prepared for some stairs!) I was a little nervous because I came on this trip by myself, but the fear of making friends faded rather quickly. It seemed like every person I met on the plane or in an airport was headed to Florence to study abroad! The flight from Germany to Italy was my favorite because the views were amazing! The alps covered in snow looked so picturesque and unreal that I couldn’t believe I was seeing them with my own eyes!
When I arrived at the airport, people from SAI were there to greet us and take us to our apartments. The key I pulled out of my envelope looked like a joke because it was so big! It made me wonder what my apartment looked like! When I was dropped off and made it in the door, that’s when it really hit me that I was here. I was a big overwhelmed, but then my roommates came and talking with them helped me see that things would be great and that I would soon grow to love this place and feel at home. It seems like it has been so much longer than just a week since I arrived, and I already feel like I have a whole new perspective on things. I’ve grown to appreciate my family and friends even more since we’re apart, but more than that I’ve grown to realize the importance of immersing yourself in another culture! The key is being flexible. Things don’t always go according to plan, but they always turn out just fine! Maybe its tacky to say, but I have learned that even though people live their lives differently than we do at home, there is no right or wrong, just different. And different is good. It makes you see everything in a whole new way!
The people in Florence are very friendly and wonderful to talk to and my classes have been fantastic! I am taking Baking and Pastry classes and doing an internship at a bakery while I’m here. I have worked hard this week, getting up at 5:15 am to go to work in the bakery and taking classes afterwards. It has been a challenge, but it has been such great experience. It is wonderful to learn from so many chefs who are so passionate about what they do! But I have to say, my favorite moments of the trip so far was when I was sitting in the front of the bakery talking with some other students, and one of them ordered a slice of cake that I had made! When I asked him how it was, he said that it was awesome! I’ve also become pretty well acquainted with the layout of the city, and don’t feel intimidated anymore when I look at the map. Another one of my favorite things so far was my hike with my roommates to Piazza Michelangelo I say hike because its a workout to get up there, but its SO worth it! We went at sunset and were able to see the most amazing views. This city is absolutely beautiful and so rich in culture and history. I can’t wait to explore more and more over the next few months!
– Laura, University of Georgia
