Ciao! Now that I have fully settled into Florence, I am starting to feel more and more like a local. However, when I first arrived I definitely noticed a lot of cultural differences, both in the class and in everyday life, that I was not used to. Initially, this adjustment was a bit difficult, but gradually I started to incorporate these elements into my daily routine.

One of the biggest adjustments I have had to make since living in Italy is honestly slowing down. Back at home, I am used to everything being structured and fast-paced. More specifically, I noticed this at restaurants. The first night I went out for dinner with my roommates, I noticed that after we finished eating, the waiters never came by with the check. At first, we all looked at each other confused and started to get a bit annoyed. It was later that we learned that Italians don’t go to restaurants to simply eat and leave, like in America. Dinners are more so meant to slow down, catch up, and share meaningful conversations. Even dinner itself occurs much later, and it’s completely normal for restaurants to stay open until midnight. What felt “too slow” at first, eventually started to feel kind of refreshing. 

Through an academic standpoint, I have also noticed some differences. One of the most surprising aspects was the strong emphasis on active engagement and participation. Back in America, classes tend to be much larger and are often held in lecture halls. Due to this class structure, it is much more difficult for students to participate or contribute in class. In contrast, all of the classes here in Italy have fewer than 20 students. This smaller setting allows professors to know us individually by name and consistently encourages us to share our thoughts or ideas. Personally, I prefer this learning environment a lot better as it allows me to truly retain information.

Overall, I feel extremely lucky to have gained a new perspective on different aspects of daily life. Looking back, I realized that this initial discomfort stemmed from my own habits and what I was used to. Over time, I have come to appreciate slowing down, being more flexible, and staying present in the moment.