We interviewed Jenna, a student at the Istituto Europeo. Jenna is a young and promising opera singer who tells us in this video about her amazing experience in Florence.
Visualizzazione post con etichetta Living in Florence. Mostra tutti i post
Visualizzazione post con etichetta Living in Florence. Mostra tutti i post
martedì 31 gennaio 2017
mercoledì 22 luglio 2015
Arrivederci, Not Goodbye
"Time flies when you're having fun!"
This is such a cliché expression, yet so very true. I can hardly believe that two months have already gone by and I am at the end of my internship here at Istituto Europeo. When I began, I didn't know entirely what to expect. I wanted to learn more about marketing, journalism, and about Florence, my beloved city. I knew that I would meet some interesting people and be writing a lot of informative articles, but I didn't know how much more the experience would give me.
Everything about my internship has been wonderful. From my daily walks through the city center, gazing longingly at the ever-changing window displays on Via Tornabuoni, to the exciting discoveries of events and people that make Florence the cultural treasure it is, to the sense of comfort and belonging i've felt here, it has all been so important to my personal growth. I've conducted interviews with fascinating characters, written articles about places that I didn't know existed before, but knew I had to visit afterwards, and explored the streets and ideas of Florence. In the end, I feel comfortable calling this magnificent city my second home.
Writing this article is a bittersweet thing for me. I am very happy with all the good experiences that I have created here. My weeks have been filled with leaning and writing, two things which make me very satisfied. But at the same time that I am happy to have this experience, I'm also sad to be leaving. My internship has been a huge part of making this summer the best of my life. I don't think that I am closing this chapter of my life though. I will take what I have learned and use it to keep expanding my knowledge and appreciation of Italian culture. I want to keep leaning the language so that when I return (which I definitely plan on doing) I will be even able to integrate even more into the society and to meet more of the fascinating and warm people of Florence.
Thank you to everyone who has made my time here at Istituto Europeo so great. It's been a pleasure interning here. I hate saying goodbye, so instead i'll say arrivederci, until we meet again!
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lunedì 29 giugno 2015
A Different Version of Paradise: Leaving California for Florence
by Laura Tressel
I have spent 5 months of the past year living in Florence.
The other 7 months were spent at school and home in California. When I studied abroad in Italy in the Fall, I
didn’t realize that those few months would just be the beginning of my time here. In
August I left the comforts of California for the strange excitement of Italy,
never imagining that I would be spending this summer in Florence too, and that
it would begin to feel so comfortable. Florence is becoming a second home to
me, and the differences in culture and lifestyle have begun to seem less
strange. I am starting to see more similarities in everyday life between the
two places, but there are still a few things that remain separated and give
Florence its unique charm. To me, these are some of the things about living in Florence that I value because of their extreme contradiction to my life in California.
- You can get coffee anywhere, anytime. There are bars on every street, making it easy to get your daily caffeine boost without having to go out of your way to find a café. Italians take their caffeinated drinks seriously, and there are certain etiquette rules to be aware of that somehow make the experience more special than it is in the United States. For example, milk is really only consumed in the morning, so in the afternoon cappuccinos are replaced with espresso to power you through the rest of the day. Before coming here, I rarely drank coffee, but now the drink has become a huge part of my daily ritual and is the best way to relax and socialize.
- Food culture is huge, even spreading beyond the world of coffee. Before living here, I paid attention to what I ate, but only to a certain extent. In Italy, especially the Tuscan region which is full of fresh produce and livestock, knowing what you are eating is super important. I have sat at a table with Florentines and listened to them argue to the point of yelling about which restaurant offers the best quality of a certain dish, the proper way to make and eat pesto, and many other particulars I would never even think about. The food here is so good, and knowing how to tell the difference in quality can lead to some of the best culinary experiences in the world. Meals are more than eating whatever is easiest, they are about really enjoying the experience, with great flavor and good company. Dinners with friends and family can last for hours, filled with conversation and laughter. Here, food brings people together.
- People in Florence are more genuine and straightforward. What I mean by this is that in California, there always seems to be a sort of an act that goes on during social interactions. People feel the need to present themselves in a certain way to make an impression on others. Here, people are very open about their thoughts and feelings. You know that the smiles you receive on the street are genuine, and when talking with people, they will tell you the truth. This attitude creates a more welcoming environment.
- Public transportation is not as popular. This applies mainly to Florence, because bigger cities in Italy do have extensive public transportation. Here though, getting places is easily done by foot and maybe an occasional bus ride. The city seems more welcoming when you don’t have to deal with transit delays and figuring out routes and schedules. Your feet can take you everywhere you need to go in Florence, which keeps you healthy and happy.
- Everything is rooted in history. There is no comparison in history between California and Florence. This city is older than the birth of the United States. The buildings and cobblestone streets resonate with richness. Walking to my internship, I pass sculptures and palazzi which hold the histories of some of the most influential people in Italian history. Being surrounded by these reminders of the past makes me eternally grateful for the chance to live here, in a city and country that has greatly influenced the world as we see it today.