Ciao! I have survived my first week in Florence and even though there were some bumps along the way I feel so much more comfortable in my new home! Starting about last Friday my roommates and I all got pretty sick. Having said that I did not leave my bed for about 4 days straight. I am very thankful to only have classes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays this semester, so luckily I was able to rally and attend all of them this first week. My classes are all taught by english speaking Italian professors, which makes them that much more interesting (and easier to listen to with those beautiful accents). All of my classes have to do with art in some way, and what better place to study art than in Florence. From art history, and painting, to photography I can't wait to learn so much in the birth place of renaissance art. There are a wide variety of students from abroad programs from all over the US in my classes and so far mostly from the northeast. I use " I was born in New Jersey" to relate to most of them, which so far has worked out. The typical "You live in Texas? Is that really cool?" has also come across in many conversations, which I find very funny. I've met a lot of people in just a short period of time, and can't wait to meet many more.
Friday morning I leave for my first trip. SAI, the program I am studying through, includes a number of inclusive trips throughout the semester. Anything that is already paid for, I'm there. I will be going to Parma, Milan, and Lake Como. We have a cheese tasting tour in Parma, where if you know me well enough this may just be the best part of my whole trip. Parmesan cheese, or shake cheese as I call it, is my absolute favorite. After that we will travel to Milan for tours of museums and free time for shopping and wandering on our own. Lastly we will go to Lake Como where we will have a boat tour of the city. And no worries I will keep my eyes peeled for George Clooney just in case he is making an appearance at his house this weekend. Keep an eye out at the end of the weekend for an update on my trip!
Always,
Sam
Friday morning I leave for my first trip. SAI, the program I am studying through, includes a number of inclusive trips throughout the semester. Anything that is already paid for, I'm there. I will be going to Parma, Milan, and Lake Como. We have a cheese tasting tour in Parma, where if you know me well enough this may just be the best part of my whole trip. Parmesan cheese, or shake cheese as I call it, is my absolute favorite. After that we will travel to Milan for tours of museums and free time for shopping and wandering on our own. Lastly we will go to Lake Como where we will have a boat tour of the city. And no worries I will keep my eyes peeled for George Clooney just in case he is making an appearance at his house this weekend. Keep an eye out at the end of the weekend for an update on my trip!
Always,
Sam