By Chelbie Smith
Photo by Amanda Cassels
A comfort zone is a situation where one feels safe or at ease, it means settling for something we already known. It is so easy to slip into the safely of routine, but living away from home encourages you to bring change into your life – in more ways than just admiring a different scenery.
For most of those studying abroad, Florence is pretty far from their hometowns, college towns, and everything they know to be familiar. With that being said, this experience was the perfect opportunity to embrace being out of your comfort zone and broaden your horizons. With so many different ways to truly “live in Florence,” instead of just “staying in Florence,” this has been an interesting journey which encouraged me to break my routines. It is one that I am sure others can learn from.
Of course it is natural to gravitate towards things you know, such as selecting a meal on a menu that you are familiar with and what you would get at home, such as chicken “alfredo” (which is actually not Italian at all). But stepping out of your comfort zone entails choosing things that you would not normally choose, like a Florentine steak or a lampredotto sandwich.
Stepping out of your comfort zones can involve so many different things, other than food: people, for example. It is easy to gravitate towards others with the same nationality as you. Same language, most likely similar experiences: it’s not science – but it is also not the best way of truly embracing the Florentine experience, or studying abroad for that matter.
There are about 379,000 people in the city of Florence, why limit yourself to those of your home country? So much can be learned from others, especially those with different backgrounds. There are so many stories to be told and heard that can end up helping you broaden your mind. With many new perspectives to learn from and explore, how could you limit yourself to just your own?
Even when there is a language barrier, there is one universal thing that can always assist with making new acquaintances: a smile. This simple gesture can begin a dialogue, a friendship, or nothing at all, that is the beauty of life: you never know until you try.
Making friends with people from outside of your school or your home can truly be humbling, eye opening, and so much more – if you allow it.
I did not realize how much this experience was broadening my horizons for the better, until my best friend came into town and said something to me about it. One night, as I was walking with my friend to eat at a place I have been to plenty of times, I found myself in the wrong area of Florence. I would usually get upset with myself or feel defeated, but instead I laughed it off and decided to ask someone walking alongside us. My Italian is not amazing and I am always surprised when locals understand me, but I try, and that’s what my friend found amazing. Before this experience, I would have been afraid to be wrong and never ask for help, but being here has pushed me out of my comfort zone and my usual routine.
I can definitely say that I have embraced this beautiful culture and city during my time here. From simply trying different things to making conversations with the locals on my street, I will really miss this place that encouraged my to push my limits and step out of my comfort zone.