The adjustment period has gotten a lot easier in the past few weeks. The warmer weather is definitely a key factor. The nicer the city gets the more I explore. I’ve finally gotten to do the touristy things, such as climb the Duomo, visit Santa Croce, and tour the Boboli Gardens. Each day there are more and more people in the streets playing music and singing or performing (there was a puppeteer one day outside my apartment). Florence is coming alive and everywhere I turn there’s a new sight to be seen. The markets are becoming my favorite places to be, picking out the freshest vegetables, fruits, cheese, meats and bread for our meals.

We’ve learned how easy it is to travel from Florence by the train (although the station and tickets might not be as simple). My friends and I have already taken day trips to Pisa, Sienna, Venice, and Chianti. We’ve also taken a few weekend trips to Rome. There is so much in Italy that I still want to see such as Cinque Terrie, Milan, and Sicily just to name a few. But every time we do leave for the weekend, the moment we arrive back in Florence is always a big sigh of relief. Florence has become our new home. It took us leaving the beautiful city to realize how much we enjoy living here.

One of the best parts of living here is being able to attend the universities in the area. I absolutely love the classes that I get to take at the Apicius International School of Hospitality. My Wine Appreciation class has allowed me to broaden my palate for different types of wine. I have learned how to detect the age, flavors, alcoholic level, clarity, quality, harmony, drink-ability time, and if a wine has the ability to be aged just by the smell, sight, and taste. And my Everything Chocolate class has certainly been a great addition to my class load. From testing different types of hot chocolate in one class to tempering chocolates and filling them with our own handmade ganache, it’s become my most anticipated class.

I’ve already learned and traveled so much being in this city and I don’t plan on slowing down while I’m here. Only having two more months left has made me learn to live everyday I’m here to the fullest. I’d never leave if I didn’t have to.

Stephanie – University of South Carolina