It is officially the weekend after I arrived on Wednesday in Florence. Since then, most of my time has been spent getting on my feet here in a new country. The day after I arrived I had orientation for my program where we received our class schedules and learned about the rules and cultural norms of Florence. This semester I will be enrolled in Italian 101, Social Media Social Food, Intercultural Communication, and the Business of Art. Classes begin on Monday. The best thing about class has to be that the walk from one academic building to the other is right along the Arno River, adjacent to the Ponte Vecchio. As someone who works best on a routine, I am excited to begin classes, find my favorite lunch cafe, join a gym, and start really planting my feet in Florence. Adjusting is going to take time, but the more I have made myself at home in my apartment with groceries and as many fuzzy blankets as I can find, the more I’ve begun to feel comfortable here. My apartment is located in a great area, just a few minutes from the Duomo and not five minutes from the supermarket! We are 10 minutes from the Ponte Vecchio and really surrounded by lots of great restaurants and stores, though not too close to where tourists are attracted. Being in a very local area really gives this experience the Italian feel. The various Piazza’s, cathedrals, and museums I pass each day are all beautiful and enticing, and I cannot wait to explore each of these places in more depth. On the gallery pageI have posted some of the best pictures I have taken so far and of course, have uploaded the amazing Italian food I’ve experienced so far. As I head into my first week of classes, I am eager to find my place here in Florence and start to plan some of the other excursions around Europe in the upcoming months.
Wanderfully yours,
Sophia
Ciao for now 