I can’t believe I’m already halfway through my program in Florence! There has never been a dull moment, but there are definitely differences between Florence and Pittsburgh. Everywhere I go, it does seem that it takes a little more effort to make someone smile. For example, when I try to speak Italian at a café, people often respond in English, treating me as just another tourist. However, if I start a conversation with them, I end up connecting with such amazing people. 

As an example, I visited a gorgeous antique store in nearby Siena to buy a gift for my mother. As I was checking out, the owner casually asked me where I was from, as my Italian accent clearly needs some work. When I mentioned I was from Pittsburgh and studying abroad in Florence, we had a wonderful conversation about traveling at my age. He reassured me that, based on my happy energy, I will find ways to enjoy everything I do while I’m here. He even gave me his business card, asking to know if my mother likes the gift when she gets it. He loves seeing where all his products end up. So, although connecting with people can be more challenging than in Pittsburgh at first, it’s refreshing to know you can still meet genuine people in unexpected places.

In terms of a typical day in Florence, it is much different than that at Pitt. I usually eat earlier meals in Pittsburgh, but lunch here is about 1-3 PM and dinner is about 7-9 PM. Dining out generally doesn’t involve taking anything to-go. Even with just a coffee, people usually drink it at the café before leaving. Waiters do not bring the check until you ask for it. While taking leftovers home is uncommon here, they will take your food away and package it for you. The pace of life is slower, with a strong emphasis on enjoying the small things. Walking around a square of restaurants, you can see and hear this relaxed environment. It took some time to adjust to this slower pace compared to the busyness of Pittsburgh, but I really appreciate the emphasis on quality of life here. I am very grateful to have the opportunity to try living life without a passive routine. Everywhere you go, you just want to take it all in. The best part is there is no judgement here for doing that. Here are some sights that I will never get over, and the pictures don’t even do them justice:

There’s also history around every corner of Florence. There are many churches scattered around and architecture from the Renaissance and pre-Renaissance periods still standing! In my art history class, we usually have half the class inside and the other half on a field trip to see this architecture or other historical sculptures and paintings in person. This is probably my favorite part about Florence compared to Pittsburgh. The art I learn about is only a walk away. The Capula di Brunelleschi is less than a 10-minute walk from my apartment, and I see it every morning when I wake up.

So far, Florence has surprised me in the best ways. Whether it is learning more about the locals or the rich history of their city, I feel this place is filled with experiences I won’t find back at home. Time to get back to exploring, but I can’t wait to share more with you at the end of my program. Arrivederci!