ELIZABETH KRESS
Florence Columnist
Nothing could prepare a student for a year overseas. Classes lasting from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., pasta twice a day and a massive language barrier all came as a shock. Stepping out of a comfort zone and absorbing the surrounding culture as quickly as possible suddenly became a necessity, not a luxury.
Jet lag slammed our group upon arrival, followed by a series of orientations and two weeks of intensive Italian courses, involving six hours a day of grammar and vocabulary interrupted only by our uscitas (excursions) to bars, pharmacies, farmers markets and record stores. Despite the overwhelming workload, the Italian courses helped us get more comfortable with the language and created a crutch for us to lean on whenever we went out.
We remembered warnings of the Florence program’s reputation for being academically challenging. However, this initially did not deter our determination to succeed.
“Eighteen units overseas, no problemo,” sophomore Brittany Thorsen said.
After class began, she had different things to say: “Scratch that. Drop a class, pronto.”
In Florence, we’ve been working hard, but once we’re through the school week, it’s smooth sailing.
Once Thursday classes are over, the weekend adventures begin. Most overseas students have a jampacked schedule from Monday to Thursday and begin traveling Thursday night to make the most of the weekend. Eventful weekend activities have so far included grape picking in the Tuscan countryside, hiking in Cinque Terre, Italy, plus trips to Pompeii, Paris and Barcelona. Students also stay in Florence for some weekends to explore, recuperate and embark on day trips throughout the countryside.
Last weekend was particularly fun. A bunch of us took the train to Perugia, Italy, for their annual Chocolate Festival, along with what seemed like a good portion of the rest of Europe. We were surrounded by small white tents overflowing with everything chocolate: candles, bubble bath, pastries, liquor and churros.
Florence isn’t always a euphoric experience, though. Most of us have experienced severe bouts of homesickness.
“Sometimes I just sit in the student center and squeeze my teddy bear and eat peanut butter to remind me of home,” sophomore Haley Magrini said.
I personally went through a succession of highs and lows, missing everything about Malibu and San Francisco, especially the people. We soon found out that culture shock does exist, and it becomes a daily reality while abroad.
It’s difficult adjusting to a new way of life. With all previous familiarities stripped away, we had to start from scratch, forming new routines as we explored the city of Florence. Letters and care packages from loved ones helped a great deal in enabling me to enjoy myself more fully while overseas, and I eventually realized that I needed to stop comparing Italy to home and just begin to experience Florence for the intriguing city that it is.
This year, the program allowed us to opt for part-time adoption by an Italian family, and it’s helped many students feel more at ease with Italian culture.
“I’m excited to begin taking Latin dance classes with my new adopted sister,” sophomore Amy Rogg said.
As for me, the purpose of this adoption has worked well in giving us a chance to experience authentic Italian culture and family life. The Braschi family has welcomed me with open arms and already invited me to their house to eat my “dad’s” homemade pizza. Doing activities together as a family is important and natural for them. On the first day I was adopted, we went to a Renaissance flag-twirling practice. The warmth and eagerness exuded by this Italian family has touched my heart.
The year has been one of many firsts: a first haircut with the language barrier, a first time riding on the back of a Vespa and a first time to have six pairs of underwear eaten by the washing machine. The unknown used to be a bit intimidating, but after being in Italy for two months, I look forward to the many more firsts.
10-27-2005
