Italian culture has been close to my heart from a young age. Both sides of my family are Italian, and six of my eight great-grandparents emigrated from Italy to the United States through Ellis Island in the 1920s. My family has passed down hints of our Italian culture including pasta and sauce recipes and a love for traditional Italian music. That's why, when I first toured … [Read more...] about Finding Myself and Family Roots in Florence
elizabeth whatley
Stop and Smell the Pesto: A Month in Florence
A view of the city of Florence, Italy in summer 2022. Pepperdine offers a study abroad program in Florence for students. Photos by Abby Wilt The most common question I get asked when I tell someone I studied abroad in Florence is, "How was the food?" so I will just start by saying yes, the food was amazing, and I would go back just to eat another plate of pasta. With that being … [Read more...] about Stop and Smell the Pesto: A Month in Florence
IP Office Suspends Florence Fall Semester Due to Low Enrollment
The city of Florence stands unassumingly in September 2019, before the pandemic began. Beth Laux, executive director of International Programs, said while the suspension disappointed staff, the team in Florence is ready to welcome students back. Photo courtesy of International ProgramsLow enrollment hindered the quality of student's experience abroad, leading the IP office to … [Read more...] about IP Office Suspends Florence Fall Semester Due to Low Enrollment
IP Director Update: Elizabeth Whatley Misses Students A Lot in Florence
Florence program director Elizabeth Whatley kneels in front of her rose garden for a photo with her two dogs, Izzy the chocolate lab and Jack the pointer, during the quarantine. Whatley said her dogs have been confused by the amount of time she's been home during quarantine instead of at the Villa. Photos courtesy of Elizabeth Whatley In her 22 years as director of the … [Read more...] about IP Director Update: Elizabeth Whatley Misses Students A Lot in Florence
‘I’m Not Ready to Go Home’: Students Forced to Say Goodbye to Florence
The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, more commonly referred to as the Duomo, stands in the center of Florence. Photo by Milan Loiacono Pepperdine students abroad in Florence, Italy, must promptly return home to the United States as the university suspends the international program for the remainder of the semester. Pepperdine sent a university-wide email Feb. … [Read more...] about ‘I’m Not Ready to Go Home’: Students Forced to Say Goodbye to Florence
