Victoria Tibets – Postcards from Italy

On August 27, I left Westwood and jetted off to Florence for my semester abroad — at last, the conversation starter of the summer became a reality.
 
It did not truly hit me until a few days prior to my flight that I was actually going to be spending my entire fall semester in Italy. I still am not sure if it has fully sunk in.
 
I am always up for an adventure but leaving home was certainly an emotional roller coaster. I was sad to leave my family and friends for such a long time but I was exhilarated to embark on a new journey.
 
As I write this in mid-September, I have been living here for about two weeks.
 
Countless gelatos have been devoured, many steps have been tracked, I am meeting new people at every turn, I am constantly out and about, all of the pasta is amazing, and it is still very much summer here.
 
Not wearing a sweater in September? My New England soul almost does not know how to deal!
 
Florence is a dreamy city. I find myself tripping over my own feet walking around since I cannot stop gawking at the marvelous buildings surrounding me. But, of course, I must stay on high alert with Vespas speeding up and down every small street.
 
The academic schedule at the Florence University of the Arts, where I am currently attending university, is very different to what I would be doing if I were at UMass Amherst. From September 3-18 I took an intensive Italian course. Then, from September 19 through October 1, I actually had a break from school. From there I begin my next courses which will be: voice lessons, wines of the world: the old world, and arts, fashion, food, and wine journalism.
 
These classes go until December 13, which is also when I head back to the United States.
 
Since being here I have already done lots of exploring.
 
I have walked all about the Oltarno neighborhood, went on a sunset cruise down the Arno River, took a day trip to Arezzo, went to the Uffizi gallery, went on a food tour, stumbled upon the Festa della Rificolona (Festival of the Paper Lanterns), took in the Duomo from many different views, visited the Boboli Gardens, gone to a few Irish pubs, and enjoyed a Hugo spritz while overlooking the city.
 
This semester I am living in an apartment with seven other FUA students. We have a mix of home base colleges in this one apartment, however; I do have two fellow Minutemen with me.
 
Being in an apartment poses a whole new set of responsibilities. As well as navigating living in a new city, I am also figuring out what grocery store I prefer, what cafe near me is my favorite, and what cleaning supplies I need (and making sure I get the right things since it is all in Italian).
 
So far, it has been great. Going to college back home provided some freedom, but this here is a whole new level of freedom. I am settling in and finding my grounding.
 
I am creating a little life here in Florence.
 
For me, there is a sense of familiarity here in Italy. Whenever I travel to Greece to visit family, I feel at home there. So, while Italy and Greece have their differences, there are some things about this city that remind me of spending days in the village.
 
I come across something new everyday but I have not dealt with culture shock (yet). I have dealt with some bouts of homesickness, of course.
 
As I am writing this I am thinking about what a wonderful experience this has already been and how I have so much more to live through; and how lucky I am to be doing this program.
 
For now I say: a dopo!
 
Victoria Tibets is a student intern with Westwood Living and graduate of Westwood High School