By Kristyn Laviola
Photo by Lauren Fromin
As a study abroad student in Italy, I wanted to immerse myself into the Italian culture. Luckily enough, FUA offers an Italian Family Club (IFC) in which students get “adopted” by a Florentine family where both get a hands-on experience of each other’s cultures. Students and families are “matched” according to their common interests and shared characteristics. The application process was simple and quick. All I had to do was attend the first meeting, fill out a one-sided sheet of paper of basic information about myself, and then have a one-on-one interview. When I read the email saying that I was accepted into the program, I was ecstatic!
I was introduced to my family in the beginning of the semester at a group dinner. At first I was nervous and anxious to meet them, but once we sat down at our table, the conversation immediately sparked. My Florentine family consisted of a mother, father, and a younger sister who is seventeen years old. We asked questions about one another trying to learn as much as we could about each other. I thoroughly enjoyed my whole time spent with them that evening.
Throughout the semester, we have met up several times. I have joined them for dinner, watched movies, and we both have helped each other with learning our native languages. Their warm hospitality made me feel welcomed and joining the IFC was one of the best decisions I made here. My Italian family has become my home away from home and I feel as if I could reach out to them for anything and everything. I strongly recommend any student abroad to step out of their comfort zone and find ways to meet the locals of the city they are studying in. The Italian Family Club has enhanced my study abroad experience and I have made amazing connections that I will never forget!
Have questions about the Italian Family Club? Get in touch with the FUA Student Life team at sld-studentservices@fua.it.
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