November 2015 – Finding Florence

Italian Food Culture: Not Just Pasta

Imagine dining on the top floor of a department store, overlooking a famous Piazza in one direction and a historic Church in the other. Imagine walking into class and technically analyzing a glass of wine. Imagine sitting around a kitchen table, with a home-cooked meal, made by you and your roommates. Now imagine all three of these combined, that picture is only a part of the food experience in Italy. Italy is not defined by endless pasta dishes and bottomless cappuccinos, but by the ingredients. The ingredients may play a small part in these dishes and drinks, but together they are a recipe for inexplicable taste .

Over the weekend I ventured out of Florence to meet my family in Sicily. After touring Mt. Etna, our tour guide recommended we try cannoli at a nearby pastry shop. I do not normally like cannoli. However, one bite out of my sister’s pistachio cannoli, and my dad was reaching back into his wallet. The quality of the ingredients here are incredibly high, the palate is continuously discovering new flavor dimensions.

My roommate had a vegetable vocabulary of broccoli before coming abroad. Now I like to cook, and when I do I always pair my fish or poultry with a vegetable. She has taken pride out of sending her mom a picture of each new vegetable she tries and they laugh because who would’ve thought something so raw and natural could taste so good. But paired with DOP extra virgin olive oil, almost anything tastes good. It will be a challenge when I go back home and have to invest more time in testing which brands taste the best.

See more of Florence at FUA’s FB, Instagram, and Twitter.

Homesickness? Fight It!

Homesickness. It’ real. Even in the most beautiful city in the entire world. I know it doesn’t seem possible with all the culture, including its culinary side, at your fingertips, but sadly it is. When times get lonely and you see friends snapchat stories from home it’s easy to succumb. Here are tips to help you realize how lucky you are to be living the experience abroad and why being homesick is not worth your time!

1. Meet a new friend! No, I’m not suggesting walking around the streets of Florence until someone acknowledges you. However, step out of your comfort zone. Don’t be afraid to do a weekend get-a-way or event offered by the institution without your roommates. If you find something interesting, then go do it.

2. Look at how much you’ve done! Whenever I am just sitting around the house on a rainy day I feel the pang of being homesick the most. I found that reflecting on the amazing experiences I’ve accumulated so far changes my perspective. It’s as easy as looking back at photos, or thinking of the laughs I’ve had with my roommates and the places that I never thought I’d experience. It helps me to realize how happy I am being here.

3. Go outside! There is not a doubt in my mind that Florence is one of the most BEAUTIFUL cities in the entire world. If you’re missing home then you need to put down your smartphone, go for a walk, rent a bike for a day, and look at something you haven’t noticed before. Florence is full of secrets, you just have to go look for them.

See more of Florence at FUA’s FB, Instagram, and Twitter.

The FUA Student Experience

So you’re thinking about living in Florence? After only a few months of study, some students have collected their favorite out-of-the-classroom moments to share with you. This is living in Florence, the FUA student experience.

Growth shocks: “Studying in Florence has been an experience like no other. Growing up, I didn’t travel much and had never left the country. I was eager to arrive, but my cold feet settled in as the days got closer. I’ve always been able to anticipate the setting and alleviate some of the shock, but it was my first time in Europe. Experiencing the streets of Florence has been my favorite experience thus far. The difference in culture is evident, starting from the way people stroll daily through the streets and squares. I admired a sense of looming simplicity, sense of tranquility, inspiring architecture, and provoking street art. My initial cultural shock was by far my most awakening moment, which fuels its importance to me. I attribute all of the growth I have made directly to being an FUA student”
– Student from Bogota, New Jersey

Seeing from a new heights: “A memorable experience of being a student at FUA would have to be taking the first hike up to Piazzale Michelangelo. It was pretty steep going up and the views become progressively beautiful. When I first arrived, I was questioning whether or not my decision to study abroad had been a good one, but when I saw the view, I realized that this is where I was going to be living and I knew I had made the right decision.”
– Student from Pound Ridge, New York

Mediterranean blues: “If I had to specifically pick a favorite moment of my Italian experience so far it would have to be swimming in the sea off of the Amalfi coast in southern Italy. I have never seen water so crystal clear, or so blue. I was in awe of the natural beauty and charm abundant in the Mediterranean. One of the best weekends of my life.”
– Student from Dallas, Texas.

Being a student abroad certainly allows you the ability to travel around Italy as well as out of the country, but for many students their best experiences happen locally right here in Tuscany:

Learning directly from the source: “My most memorable experience while studying abroad at FUA has been learning about the wine culture in Tuscany. I had the opportunity to visit a historic winery called Abbadia Ardenga in Montalcino, an area south of Florence known for the production of the renowned Brunello di Montalcino. The owners made us feel like we were old friends and that is what I truly appreciate about the hospitality here.”
– Student from San Diego, California

These are just a few examples of the experiences lived thanks to the Student Life opportunities we have here at FUA, that span from travel and exploration to matters related to personal and academic growth.

See more of Florence at FUA’s FB, Instagram, and Twitter.