Global Program, Martinson Elevate Award

Arriving In Italy: Ciao Catania!

Posted by Nila on

Hi everybody! My name is Nila and I’m a nursing student at Pitt’s main campus currently studying abroad in Italy! Our first destination on this trip is Catania, Italy, but this is a multi-city trip so this is just the first of many fun locations. I chose to go on this particular study abroad trip as I had never been to Europe before and because of the nursing emphasis this healthcare delivery program has. I’m very passionate about nursing and my future career, so the opportunity to learn about healthcare from a global perspective was incredibly exciting to me!

A panoramic view of a lush green field with tall grass and vines in the foreground, leading to a mountain under a pastel sky at sunset.
Mount Etna

Day 1: Catania

A group of us arrived in Italy through the Catania airport and grabbed a taxi to the agriturismo where we would be staying. It was a small family-run hotel right in the middle of a farm, about 40 minutes outside the city. As soon as we got there, we were welcomed with espresso and iced coffee before getting a tour of the property. We also got to ride some horses and enjoy our first authentic Italian lunch.


View from atop a horse, showcasing a rider's hand on the saddle while another person walks alongside the horse on a gravel path.
A colorful plate featuring two slices of bread topped with cheese, fresh tomatoes, radicchio, olives, and sun-dried tomatoes, set on a decorative ceramic dish.
A resting calf with a white face and yellow ear tags lying in straw inside a livestock pen, with a brown cow standing nearby.
A group of ducks and a chicken walking in a fenced yard with gravel and plants, next to a wooden structure.
A view of a wooden pergola covered with lush green vines and leaves, filtering sunlight above.
A fenced chicken coop area with several chickens roaming on the ground, surrounded by a rocky landscape and vibrant purple bougainvillea flowers in bloom.

The rest of the afternoon was pretty relaxing. I spent some time exploring the farm, hanging out with the hotel dog Rocky, and taking in the fact that I was actually in Italy. That evening, we had our welcome dinner with the whole group. It was a huge four-course meal filled with Sicilian dishes, and honestly, it was the perfect introduction to Italian food. Between the beautiful scenery, amazing food, and getting to know everyone better, it was a great first day and made me even more excited for the rest of the trip.

A black and white dog lying on colorful patterned cushions, with its tongue out and a relaxed expression.
Rocky!
A colorful plate of assorted food items including bruschetta with diced tomatoes, a small fried ball, dessert bars, a dollop of cream, and mixed roasted fruits, set on a decorative ceramic plate. In the background, there are two glasses of white wine and a patterned tablecloth.
Bruschetta, Arancini, Eggplant Lasagna, Roasted Potatoes, Ricotta & Homemade White Wine

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