Gelato can be found in virtually every street corner in Florence. As a Florentine delicacy, locals and visitors stroll the streets with a cone in hand no matter the season. Over the years, because of its touristic popularity, traditional, quality gelato has become more and more of a rarity. We sat down with Vetulio Bondi, owner of I Gelati del Bondi and president of the Florence Gelato Association, to gain insight into recognizing quality, authentic gelato in Florence. Bondi has also taught a gelato making course at Apicius. We’ve narrowed down our interview with him into 3 simple steps to keep handy when trying out new gelaterie.
1. Read the Ingredients
Fresh, authentic gelato should not need any preservatives or extra fat. The main ingredient should be fresh milk and the sugar used should lead to a smooth, “warm” gelato, as opposed to a sweeter, colder treat that was popular in the 80s.
Bondi also attributes his high quality gelato to his strong relationships with the hazelnut, pistachio, and produce farmers that he works with.
2. Order In-Season Flavors
It is easy to overlook the environmental difference of ordering mango sorbet in the winter as opposed to pear. Bondi prefers serving in-season, local flavors to cut down on food miles. “In Europe, we try to follow the seasons, so in the summer, it is much better to eat the peach sorbet than the mango sorbet because the mangos will be coming from Brazil, so it can cause pollution and peach sorbet, melon sorbet, watermelon sorbet, and plum sorbet is amazing.” If you want to know what is in season when, here is a list.
3. “When You See a Mountain, Turn Around”
Like any tourist destination, flashy fakes are everywhere. When looking for authentic gelato shops, steer clear of the mountain-high, neon window displays. These are often made with artificial flavors, colors, oil, and fat. You want to spend your time seeking out neutral colored, simpler displays. Some places will cover the gelato with lids, which usually means they made it that morning.
If you have time, stop by I Gelati del Bondi. Our personal favorites are his peach, salted caramel, pistachio, hazelnut chocolate, or cherry.
Schiacciata sandwich in Florence. Photo by the authors.
By Deborah Glasso, Leanora Karnath, Morgan O’Reilly
Schiacciata is a typical flatbread of the Tuscany region used to prepare panini. In English, the word translates to “crushed” or “flattened.” If you’ve lived in the Tuscany region, unsalted bread is probably what first comes to mind when thinking of bread products. In contrast, schiacciata is sprinkled with coarse salt grains, giving consumers a burst of flavor coupled with other ingredients in a panino. Made with flour, yeast, water, salt, and olive oil, traditional schiacciata should be crispy, but not hard. Also, the olive oil should not produce a greasy feeling but be enough to complement the mix of ingredients.
After learning about schiacciata in Florence, we decided to extend our research one step further with some tastings and then compare our findings.
Morgan – soft or crispy?
After living in Florence for three months, I have fallen in love with Schiacciata. From trying too many places than I would like to admit, I realized I prefer a crispier crust with a fluffy center as opposed to a thinner, chewier flatbread I usually get at All’Antico Vinaio. My personal favorite spot is Sandwichic because they use just enough olive oil and salt to make the flatbread crispy and flavorful. The Oil Shoppe also deserves a mention for their softer, circular schiacciata that I also enjoy.
SandwiChic: Via San Gallo, 3 Al’Antico Vinaio: Via dei Neri, 74/R
Lea – olive oil in each bite
After trying many different panino shops, I found Due Sorsi e un Boccone (“two sips and a bite”) which has become my favorite place for a quick bite. I was happy to discover the consumers were mostly Italian which has always been helpful to seek out local spots. I love how the schiacciata is crispy but not too hard as I’ve tried some places where the schiacciata can scrape the roof of my mouth, leaving an unpleasant sensation. I also view the schiacciata as characteristic of the traditional staple because of its olive oil you can taste with each bite. The taste does not distract from any of the other ingredients but enhances the overall experience of eating a panino and indulging your taste buds.
Due Sorsi e un Boccone: Via degli Alfani, 105
Deborah – great ingredients, great sandwiches
Being a Florentine, I believe that All’Antico Vinaio is one of the few places that offers good street food. The schiacciata is crushed with sbriciolona, a cured meat with fennel seeds, so we can say it is a must-try in Florence.
The Prosciutteria is another great place to try this traditional Tuscan favorite, just a few doors down from All’Antico Vinaio. Vinaino Di Parte Guelfa also offers tasty sandwiches with typical Tuscan and Florentine ingredients.
Vinaino Di Parte Guelfa: Via Val di Lamona, 6 La Prosciutteria: Via dei Neri, 54r
Our Findings
From recommendations of professors and other locals, our tastings led us to the discovery that despite schiacciata’s status as a Tuscan staple, various places prepare the bread in different ways. While some may be very crispy on the outside, others are softer which results in a more chewy bite. The “best” panino shop is subjective because people enjoy their breads in different ways. The staple has evolved and each panino shop has their own take on how to prepare it.
Sometimes, envisioning your life in a new country can be a bit difficult to imagine until after you’ve arrived. Whether you are getting ready to come abroad or already in Florence and in need of inspiration, below are some itineraries of a typical day of FUA semester students. Semester classes are usually held once a week and students typically take anywhere from 4-6 courses. If you’ve signed up for any 3-week short session courses within the 15-week semester, remember that classes will be held daily from Monday to Friday.
Day 1 Leanora shares an example of her typical day that coincides with when she has one class and has some extra time to explore locally while balancing coursework.
9:30am – Wake up.
10am – Grab a cappuccino and chocolate croissant at Fedora, the pastry shop operated by FUA hospitality students and faculty.
10:30am-12:30pm – Check out a new museum. Already seen the major ones? Then try these smaller gems.
1-2pm – Browse through the Sant’Ambrogiofresh food market and purchase some groceries for the week.
2:30pm – Grab lunch from my favorite panino place. Grabbing a panino is something quick and easy to eat before class. There are many options in the area, so try a few before deciding which one you like best.
3-5:30pm – Travel Writing class at the FUA journalism building near the Duomo.
6-8pm – Cross the street from the J School towards the Oblate Library to do homework.Pack up my backpack. Enjoy the great view of the Duomo with a pastry from the cafe.
8:30 – Dinner out with friends.Meet by the Duomo and head over to the Santo Spirito area. Walk by the Arno River along the way.
Day 2 Morgan shares her typical day when she has two classes scheduled.
9am – Wake up.
10am – Grab a cappuccino and a pastry at specialized coffee bar such as Ditta Artigianale. There are many spots around Florence for a coffee and a quick bite to eat, both traditional and from newer generations. Being a barista myself, love checking out new coffee places on my way to class and discovering different coffee drinks.
10:30am – Read a book or paint in the Rose Garden.
12pm-2:30pm – Intermediate Drawing class at the FUA main building near Piazza Santa Croce. If you want to take an art class at FUA, this class focuses on human anatomy through Florentine sculpture. You learn how to improve your technical drawing skills while applying them to your own drawing style.
3pm – Grab a fennel salami panino with pecorino and pear jam at Sandwichic and sit on the steps of the San Lorenzo church.
3:30pm-5:30pm – Do some homework in the top floor, open-air courtyard of the Oblate Library.
6pm-8:30pm – International Marketing class at the main building. Learn marketing techniques on a global scale through lecture and real world application to a multinational company.
Other Activities? FUA offers a series of extracurricular activities so students can become more involved in the community and fellow peers. Here’s a selection of some of our favorites.
Taste Italy Culinary Workshops – The classes are fun and interactive, held at FUA’s hospitality school, Apicius, and you can meet FUA students over some delectable food.
FUA’s Gym Classes – These are a fun and social way to stay motivated and healthy as you explore your way through Italian/Tuscan food culture:). The gym also has regular hours for workouts.
Ganzo Themed Dinner –These are delicious and so much fun. They also happened to be prepared by FUA culinary classes so you can check out what your hospitality peers are up to. Check out the calendar for upcoming Thursday themes, put your reservation in early, and enjoy interesting, delicious courses with wonderful wine pairings.
Visit the Student Life department’s website to learn other ways to become involved in your new home. Curious about what fellow students suggest? This blog regularly offers ideas, suggestions, and explorations so keep checking back for updates!
Photo by Davide Raguda via unsplash.com – Leaning Tower of Pisa
By Morgan O’Reilly
When studying abroad in as beautiful an area as Tuscany, the opportunities for rich history and scenic views lie just outside Florence’s city walls. Students can find three unique towns within the area between Florence and the coast.
Pisa
Students from Florence can easily catch a 50 minute train ride into this small city for a full or half day or history, art, and great food. Marta Russo, an FUA faculty member who lived in Pisa for 19 years, has kindly provided a local perspective on this famous little town. Aside from the infamous Leaning Tower, some other beautiful sites include the Piazza dei Cavalieri and Piazza Martiri della Libertà. She recommends a nice stroll along the Lungarni (sidewalks along the river), where one can see the Chiesa della Spina, originally built on the river bank of the Arno and later rebuilt on a higher level. Two other churches visitors can visit are Chiesa Santa Caterina and Chiesa di San Francesco.
All of the good restaurants in Pisa are located near the market squares Piazza delle Vettovaglie and Piazza Sant’Omobono, according to Russo. These include La Mescita and Il Campano, among others. For a good panini, Il Crudo in Piazza della Berlina (aka Piazza Cairoli) of Il Montino in Via Monte; where the local specialty is focaccia con la cecina, a traditional dish made with chickpea flour, water, and olive oil, which is baked and stuffed into a flour focaccia bread.
For those interested in art, Russo recommends checking out the current exhibition at Palazzo Blue, the venue exhibiting the major art shows of great painters of the past (like Picasso or Modigliani.) One thing visitors don’t know is that there is a Keith Haring mural painting on the side of the Chiesa di Sant’Antonio, so there is even some modern art in this culturally rich city.
Lucca
A small town to the west of Florence, Lucca radiates rich history, art, scenic views, beautiful churches, and plenty of greenery. High walls surround the city, eluding military history dating back to 200 A.C, now provide visitors with a beautiful walking path, picnic spots, and playgrounds for a relaxed afternoon under the shade of their chestnut trees.
The beautiful churches of Lucca include the San Michele in Foro Church, the San Martino Cathedral, and the Church and Baptistery of San Giovanni and Reparata. All originally built before the 14th century, these Romanesque monuments are not to be missed.
The Piazza dell’ Anfiteatro, a former Roman amphitheatre, now holds restaurants, cafe’s, and shops along its oval-shaped frame. In July, the piazza makes a perfect venue for open-air music performances.
To end a day of sightseeing and strolling around the city’s walls, visitors can climb the Guinigi Tower’s 130 steps for spectacular views of the historic city.
Livorno
An understated small port city on the western coast of Tuscany, Livorno holds great seafood, majestic panoramic views, a Venetian-style neighborhood, and a short train ride from Santa Maria Novella.
Piccola Venezia, or little Venice, is a fun pocket of Livorno crossed with small canals built during the 17th century using Venetian methods of reclaiming land from the sea. Whether via foot path or by boat, the canals provide picturesque scenes of the city with nice waterside cafes interspersed.
The Terrazza Mascagni is a popular spot in the city where guests can discover panoramic views of the beautiful city. Built in the 1920s, this dazzling terrace captivates its visitors with the seafront as well as the cityscape, perfect for sunset after a long day of exploration.
Coffee does not limit itself to its basic ingredients and the seemingly fundamental role of stimulating its consumer. Coffee sits in cafe bars under the dull roar of thought-provoking conversation. Coffee occupies cupholders in Manhattan taxis, accompanies egg yolks and condensed milk in Vietnam, and carries ceremonial value in Ethiopia. It can exist as a supportive friend among late-night spreadsheets and early-morning meetings, and its aroma alone can wake a sleepy family on a rainy Saturday morning. Coffee has the power to support entire villages through the harvesting trade, especially with the insurance of the Fair Trade Movement. It is complex and the possibilities for innovation lie infinitely between the harvesting, the roasting, the brewing methods, and the preparation.
The drink originated in the highlands of Ethiopia, where it arrived in the Middle East before spreading to Venice in the 1570s. Coffeehouses later spawned all along its canals before spreading to other major Italian cities like Turin and Rome. Since then, coffee has transcended past its functionality of improving productivity into a rich, diverse, ever evolving culture across the world’s borders.
As a previous barista and hopeful future coffee shop owner, I had a delightful week exploring the coffee culture Florence has to offer.
Basic Coffee Etiquette in Italy
Coffee culture in Italy stands unprecedented among its neighbors; it is quick and medicinal with little to no fuss over the preparation. Because of its uniqueness, the dreaded ‘tourist’ label can come far too easily. To avoid the foxpaus, here are some observations I’ve compiled:
Any coffee drink containing dairy should only be consumed in the morning, and never after a meal.
Coffee in Italy is enjoyed its simplest and purest form. Caffé shelves leave no space for an array of flavor pumps, so savor your beverage and try to taste all the subtle hints from the brew.
In a traditional Italian bar (neighborhood coffee joint), always check if you need to pay for a receipt first to present to the barista or if you can order first and pay later.
Typically, locals order and drink coffee at the counter. It also costs much less than sit-down coffee in some of the bigger cafes in squares such as Duomo, Repubblica, and Signoria.
Typical menu items
Caffè: One shot of espresso
Cappuccino: Espresso with foamed milk
Caffè Macchiato: Espresso with a dash of milk
Latte Macchiato: Hot milk with a dash of coffee
Caffè Americano:Espresso with the addition of hot water
Other spin-offs found at most Italian cafes:
Caffè Shakerato: A frothy iced coffee drink prepared with ice cubes in a cocktail shaker. Usually served in a martini glass
Caffè d’orzo: A caffeine free beverage made from roasted barley
Caffè ginseng: Similar to white coffee: a cream, usually of the plant origin, the sugar, the instant coffee and the dry extract of ginseng
Marocchino: Popular in Milan, this drink comes in a small glass dusted with cocoa powder, when topped with milk froth and espresso, and topped with some more cocoa powder
Cappuccino Viennese: A cappuccino topped with whipped cream and cocoa powder
Pro Tip: My all-time personal favorite is the cold brew, the espresso-ground beans are steeped in cold water for 24 hours. This method results in a less acidic, slightly sweeter drink. I like to pour the black coffee over ice, but a splash of milk or cream is always a good move. You can easily make cold brew at home by steeping the beans in a french press.
The Old School, the Roasters, and the Contemporary: Without question, every coffeeshop derives from a wide variety of values, customs, and creativity; so in no way can one title sum up an entire business. This being said, these three coffee categories do point to major differences throughout Florence’s coffee scene.
Old School bar/pasticceria These shops contain classic Italian coffee and fresh pastries. They stick to the roots of Italian coffee culture to provide an authentic, timeless experience.
Example: Pasticceria Nencioni. Open for over 60 years, this family-owned Florentine coffee and pastry bar stands as a charming gem with a wide array delicious sweets and quality coffee. Whether it be a profiterole, a mini tart, a croissant, or a slice of cake, this shop will please its guests through their freshly homemade approach and unbeatable tradition.
Atmosphere: The shop gives off a timeless, charming feel with their beautiful pastries displayed before the customer.
The Roasters Some roasting companies open stores in the city, so their base value lies on their quality, specialty coffees.
Example: ChiaroScuro. This shop was opened by the roasting company Mokaflor and contains coffees and teas from around the world. The array of espresso drinks, hot chocolates, and teas proves quite impressive, so don’t be afraid to take your time deciding. Personally, I am fond of the caffè nocciolato, combining their high quality, rich espresso with hazelnut and whipped cream.
Atmosphere: This shop has a homey, old school atmosphere with plenty of seating.
The Contemporary Many New Age Coffee shops typically value the Third Wave Coffee movement, in which coffee is treated as a culinary delicacy, like wine, rather than a commodity. The movement lends itself to stronger relationships between coffee growers, traders, and roasters, as well as focusing on direct trade, single origin coffee (as opposed to blends), and high-quality beans. Along with these ideals, they may emphasize fair trade as well as focussing on the unique atmosphere of the space.
Example: Ditta Artigianale. This contemporary coffee shop prides itself in its focus on international coffee blends and brewing methods. Also directly involved in the roasting process, the shop combines the traditional values of Italian coffee culture with the Third Wave movement. The Artigianale baristas are knowledgeable of the bean’s origin and the process to which they receive them, so they gladly welcome conversation over their coffee’s “story.” In fact, the shop itself is designed to welcome this interaction through their lower-than-normal counters and complete visibility between the customer and the barista.
Atmosphere: The shop on Via Dei Neri, in my opinion, gives off a retro vibe with the script typography and industrial lighting. It’s a great place to sit and finish some homework or enjoy friendly conversation while alternative, mellow music fills the space. In contrast, the newOltrarno location gives off a more posh atmosphere through interesting patterns and lighting, a muted, sophisticated color scheme, and more mature, jazzy playlist.
Looking for ideas to entertain visitors in town while keeping up with your studies? Seize the opportunity to be their own personal tour guide and show them how you’ve been spending your stay abroad. With limited time, you’ll want to make sure they have the best experience possible. The following tips offer advice on what to do before and during their visit taken from personal experience when my parents came to Florence.
Before the arrival:
Figure out what’s at the top of your visitor’s to-do list. Before my parents arrived, I asked them for a list of activities they were hoping to do because it’s impossible to see everything the city has to offer within a week. You might have visitors who are most interested in trying new food, seeing amazing art, engaging with the locals, or a mix of all three. It’s important to understand their top choices to ensure they have a fulfilling and personalized experience.
Create a flexible schedulebased on what your guests would like to do. Group certain destinations for one day based on proximity. Keep in mind that your visitors may be tired from traveling, so use the first day in Florence as one to familiarize themselves with the area where they’ll spend the most time. With a tentative schedule, you can accommodate the times you’ll be in class and need to complete assignments. Planning is key to prevent stress and maximize time, so reach for a calendar and find your free time before your guests step off the plane.
Plan travel outside of Florence. If possible, take a day trip or two around Italy to give your guests a better feel for Italian regional diversity. Purchase train tickets ahead of time to avoid higher costs. Keep in mind that it may be difficult to find accommodation during high tourist season, so plan accordingly. You can also sign up for free tours with licensed guides in many other Italian destinations.
While in Italy:
Think about what you wish you knew as a newbie to the city. Did you wish you knew some greetings? Or, how to order at a cafe or restaurant? Give them the tips that would’ve made the adjustment easier for you after your arrival! Teach them some phrases to increase their comfort level. Now that you’ve lived in Florence for some time, you’ll have the insider’s scoop on the best eats and how to blend in better with the locals. Share this knowledge with your guests.
Give them a map. Although this tip may seem obvious, it’s easy to slip your mind if you no longer rely on directions to find your point of interest. Remember that your visitors are seeing the city for the first time and may become lost without a map. While walking around after they arrive, point to the locations on the map to ensure your guests will be able to walk around when you’re not there to point them in the right direction. Circle and label their hotel along with other locations to provide a point of reference.
More than just a tourist hot spot. It might sound tortuous to venture to the top of the Duomo while maneuvering your way around a crowd of people. However, experiencing all of Florence’s beauty with visitors will give you a greater appreciation of the city you now call home. Remember, certain locations may be flooded with tourists for a good reason; they hold cultural and historical significance in Italy. Chances are you might be visiting the hotspot for a second time, so research prior those insider tidbits that you missed the first time around to create an extra-special experience for your guests as they connect to the city.
If you only had one week in Florence, what would you do? Think about this question when showing your visitors around the city to create a quality experience with a lifetime of memories.
When I made the choice to study abroad, the idea of FOMO or the “fear of missing out” never came close to crossing my mind. Why would I think about my small town college in Geneseo, New York when I’d be living in Florence? As someone who chose to spend the last semester of my undergraduate degree studying abroad, FOMO has happened suddenly and unexpectedly like when my friends tell me about how much fun they had on a snowday or when I hear about the upcoming spring concert I won’t be seeing.
Even if you’re not a senior, you’ve probably experienced FOMO when you think about home life. Here are a few tips to better deal with it:
Find a balance between spending time with friends abroad and talking to loved ones at home. It might be tempting to schedule times to talk multiple days a week, but too much can be harmful. You run the risk of missing out on all of your surroundings in Florence when you’re too busy thinking about all you’re missing out on back at home. Don’t change your plans because you want to stay in your apartment and talk to those back home. Get out and explore! Afterwards, e-mail some photos and tell your family and friends the best part of your day in Florence. It’ll help make the city feel more like home.
Go on the lookout for your favorite spots in Florence. How can you possibly think about what’s happening in your hometown when you’re experiencing something new and exciting? It may be an amazing view, colorful market, frothy cappuccino, flavorful dishes, or simply an eye-catching piece of street art. Strive to go out of your way and see the streets and places that rarely pop up with a Google search of Florence. You have adequate time to familiarize yourself with the culture and the areas most tourists never get to see.
When you have a free day, take advantage of it. Don’t just sit around and aimlessly scroll on social media sites. Seeing posts and pictures makes FOMO even worse. Instead, write a list of places you want to see, things you want to eat, and museums to visit. After you’ve written the list, go out and cross some things off! The academic session will fly by, so don’t waste time. Been to all of the big museums? Check out this group of “small but big” Florentine museums.
Be grateful for your opportunity to study abroad. Living in Florence is a once in a lifetime opportunity as I’m sure you already know. Don’t take it for granted by staying in when you don’t have class or clouding your mind with thoughts about what’s going on back home. Each day remind yourself that you’re living in a beautiful Italian city, one that should be appreciated and experienced to the fullest. You have the chance to go beyond the surface level of Florence during your time here. Take advantage of it!
Blogpost author E. Kavanagh photographed by M. O’Reilly and L. Karnath
By Erica Kavanagh
After your first session in Florence, as a returning student you probably have seen all the monuments, museums, and historical sights. Those rose-colored glasses begin to fade, and you begin to experience Florence in a new light, as a local resident. Now upon your arrival back to Florence, you could face a few new issues.
For most returning students, one of the hardest adjustment can be the language especially after a holiday away in between academic seasons. Brushing up on your Italian can help for a much smoother transition back to Florence. Without practice, your language skills can and will become rusty. Seek out some fun and unconventional studying tips.
Tips to practice your language skills:
Talk to an Italian – For pronunciation sign up for Chat Pal through Student Life
Watch a T.V. show – L’italiano in Famiglia helps recap grammar
Download a language app– Use Duolingo for vocab exercises
Read a children’s book – C’era una Volta un Gatto to improve reading skills
Listen to a podcast – For everyday phrases use free Italian Podcasts
With a new perspective, returning students may shed a romanticized image of Florence and experience some not so beautiful aspects. It’s bound to happen, every city and country has its cultural issues that usually differ from a student’s own home country. Experiencing cultural issues can bring back the homesickness that you thought you’d gotten rid of for good, for example.
Think globally, act locally:
Live by being an example – Treat others how you would like to be treated
Keep an open mind – Have the willingness to learn, be aware of, and talk about issues that you encounter
Build relationships – Make a friend from a different cultural background breaks stereotypes
Do not let the differences of others affect daily life – Understand that some people cannot be changed, that cultural issues are deep rooted
Florence is a home away from home. For your long-term stay, it is important to have a financial plan. Running out of money can be one of the worst things that can happen while abroad. Little investments can help you save money in the end.
Budget wisely:
Stick to local markets – Stay away from expensive imported goods
Buy a stove top espresso maker (moka/caffettiera) – Avoid spending money every morning at the bar
Cook at home – Save money with home-cooked meals, rather than eating out
After a long holiday at home, students typically revert to their vacation mode/ lifestyle – odd sleeping/waking up habits, eating at anytime of the day, etc. It’s important to get your body and mind on a new academic schedule.
Time management:
Readjust your sleep schedule – You’ll get the most out of your morning classes
Planning enough time for proper meals – This helps you to strong off strong and avoid getting those beginning of the semester sicknesses such as colds, the flu, etc.
Organize – Create a system to maintain on top of school work
Most returning students are eager to catch up with their friends from the previous session. However each new start brings new students. It is just as important to connect with new students as it is with the returning ones. Approaching these encounters aren’t always immediate but are extremely beneficial.
Networking Benefits:
New information – New friendships open doors to new academic knowledge
Different experiences – Exchanging cultural backgrounds
Establishing similarities – Creating study groups or planning trips
Revisiting sites – Challenges to enrich old context with new perspective
Everyone studying here wants to make the most of their time in Florence. Sometimes it can be hard for returning students to keep that initial curiosity alive, to continue to experience different parts of the city. However I personally can testify to the importance of further exploring this city. I learn new things everyday. My new roommates introduce me to new cafes and continually teach me how to cook new cuisines. These experiences have shaped the way I view Florence and have helped me overcome potential returning student issues. Every new discovery makes my relationship with the city even more intimate. I am very happy to be in Florence and cannot wait to see what the rest of the season has to offer.
Most of us go through life in a comfort zone. We like to start our day with the breakfast we like, do the job we are use to doing or go to the classes we signed up for. But every once and a while we are put in a completely unfamiliar situation and we have to learn how to deal with it. I was recently thrown into one when I attended my first Fashion Marketing class.
I was one of two men in a classroom with 30 women. In any other situation this ratio of males to females would’ve simply been laughed off as an advantage for the guys, but in this case there was much more in store.
The instructor started the lesson by reassuring us that it was not necessary to be a fashion or marketing expert but naturally it helps to know about these areas. I didn’t know much about marketing and besides the Project Runway marathons that I had to endure with my mom when I was still in high school, I was pretty clueless about the subject of fashion. After all, I was the guy who wore plaid shorts with a striped t-shirt just this past summer, and couldn’t decide if I should rock my “senior citizen” New Balance running shoes or Leggo socks with neon green Crocs. It goes without saying that I was clueless about fashion and made no secret of it when we made class introductions about our backgrounds and areas of study. In a sea of fashion and retail majors, I was the lone undeclared student.
Our first exercise was to watch the 2015 Milano Fashion Week runway and provide three adjectives that encompass the essence of the collections and a type of car you would market with each. As the first collection came down the runway, I noticed the dresses were green, yellow and “flowy,” which seemed like somewhat sufficient adjectives. Afterwards, we were asked to share our chosen adjectives. Words like “feminine,” “chic,” and “earthy” were some common adjectives while not one person said anything close to “yellow.”
I was grateful the professor didn’t call on me to share my disappointing adjectives, but my luck ran out when I was asked to share the car I would chose to market with this collection with. My mind started racing for a good answer. I was thinking that a general consensus for the collection was that it was earthy and before I knew it I blurted out “uhh… a Prius?” The class burst into laughter and I quickly realized that the environmental advantages of a hybrid car doesn’t immediately qualify it as a fashionable pairing.
My fashion knowledge has yet to vastly improve, but after time my presence in the class has seemed to become less a fish out of water. I probably don’t have the exact response to answer the question of how to deal with a situation in which we are totally unfamiliar with. But if I have learned one thing, it’s that you should try out unfamiliar contexts even if the content seems unknown or you perceive to less knowledgeable of a subject matter compared to others. Dive in headfirst and don’t be afraid to speak, because if we are never called out on our mistakes there is no way to learn from them.
Amidst the excitement of living in a new country, being in a different environment may pose some challenges in adjusting to new study habits. Participating in the classroom can be just as eye opening as sightseeing in Florence. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet students from all parts of the world to share different perspectives when discussing class material. If you’re having trouble achieving a balance when mid-terms and finals roll around, the following tips may come in handy.
Keep a planner to track all your assignments and upcoming exams. With traveling plans and to-do lists filling your head, it can be easy to forget about due dates for classwork. Purchase a beautiful leather planner from a local shop or download a simple calendar app that allows you to set reminders. Because your weekends will probably fly by with traveling and exploring Florence, make sure to complete your assignments beforehand and avoid the stress of doing things in a rush!
Find a space that suits your study needs. Some people are most productive in quiet, secluded areas while some don’t mind the chatter of others. Figure out what works best for you, so you’re not wasting your time in a difficult place to concentrate. Consider stepping out of your apartment to find a cafe where you can study. You’ll also avoid dealing with any roommates who may distract you. The FUA library in Corso Tintori provides a quiet zone for serious reading and reviewing. If you want to go somewhere with a view, take your notebook to Oblate Library to see a view of the Duomo or bring your study materials up to Piazzale Michelangelo (be aware of crowds though). Need to be surrounded by green to power your thinking? Try the Cascine Park, the Giardino di Orticultura, or green squares such as Piazza d’Azzeglio and Piazza Demidoff.
Wake up early a few days a week. If you don’t have early classes every day of the week, consider starting some days earlier than you normally would. Although most college students may dread the idea, a couple extra hours of the day can help out with completing assignments. Wake yourself up by going to a local cafe. Sit down with a hot cappuccino and flaky croissant while you complete some work.
Improve time management. Few things are worse than sitting down to read your assigned textbook only to realize you can’t remember anything you’ve just read. Remember to cut out distractions such as social media to optimize productivity and complete assignments when you’ve had enough sleep. Reviewing class material each day helps your brain retain information as opposed to procrastination which oftentimes yields stress and mediocre results.
Form a study group. If you feel like time is withering away with things you want to do, consider applying your acquired knowledge from a course to your surroundings. Make some friends from class and do something around the city to enhance your learning. If you’re in an art history course, go to a museum and study the intricate details of sculptures and paintings. If you’re taking an Italian class, go to lunch with friends and practice what you’ve learned by ordering in the language. Think of creative ways to reinforce all that you’ve learned.
Hopefully, these and other tips will help you excel in your academics for a memorable and rewarding study abroad experience. Happy studying!
