By : Alyson Zuckerman
Major: Communications Public Relations and Advertising
Graduation year: May 2014
Study abroad location & term: Florence, Italy- Spring 2013
How/why did you choose your program?
I chose the program API [Academic Programs International] for many
different reasons. One reason is of the reviews I heard about it. I heard they
are very friendly people and very hands on to help you have the best experience
ever. I have to admit that they fulfilled all of that and more! The staff is amazing. For example, I really
hurt my ankle in Rome while we were on a trip and one of the directors wanted
to take me to hospital and I did not want to go. She made sure I was okay and
took me to the pharmacy to get all the stuff I would need to help my ankle.
After the trip she still checked up on me to make sure I was okay.
Another
reason why I chose API was because of all the excursions that they include in the program. The
excursions are FREE! They come out of your tuition money. These excursions take
you to the major cities in Italy such as Rome, Venice, Tuscany and Lucca.
They are all overnight. They also come with tours that are already paid for
and free breakfast. After the long day, you are free to do whatever you want at
night. Also they have fun activities such as going to an opera and going
to see a soccer game, and again this all comes out of your tuition fees.
The last
reason why I chose API was because of the housing. Many programs don’t help you
with housing, but this program places you in nice apartments and helps you get
your stuff together. I have to say I am so happy with the program that I
chose.
What has been the best part of your study abroad experience so
far?
The best part of my study abroad experience so
far is the traveling and meeting new people. I’ve been to so many wonderful
places already such as Rome, Venice, Istanbul, Prague, Munich, Paris,
Barcelona and Amsterdam. My two favorite cities were Prague and Istanbul. They
were both beautiful places and so different from anything I’ve been to. In Istanbul
the culture is so different, I’m glad I got to experience it with my own eyes.
Prague is a beautiful city with so much history behind it. It was one of the oldest
looking cities I’ve ever seen, which is what made it so amazing to me.
Meeting new
people here is always wonderful. I’ve met amazing people that I know I will talk
to after I leave Italy. People kept asking me before I came whom are you going
to travel with because you’re going to Italy alone. I would say back "I'll meet
people" and that’s what I did-- I met the most amazing people. I’m so happy to
share this amazing experience with them.
What is your favorite Italian food? How is it prepared?
My favorite Italian food is pear ravioli. Its had
ricotta cheese and spinach in the ravioli with a white sauce which has
pear in it. You cannot taste the pear but it’s still amazing. Its very thick
and it melts in your mouth. I also love the pizza here. It's so different than
the pizzas back in the States. It’s smaller and it’s a personal pizza. They
make it in front of you. They cook it in a brick oven, which you never see back home. I always go to Gusta Pizza; it’s the best pizza in Florence!
Tell us about an interesting place you have visited in your new
host city.
There are many places that you have to visit when
you live in a new city. In Florence, I love going to Piazzale Michelangelo
because it is the best view of Florence. I love taking walks up there to clear
my mind whenever I want to. My favorite time of day to go there is right before
sunset. So you wait there until the sun is about to set and watch the sun go behind the
mountains-- it’s the most breathtaking site to see. Another interesting place to
see is the David that Michael Angelo made. You would never think that you’d actually
be able to see it in your lifetime, but once you go up to the glass and actually
see it, you will never forget what you saw. Also, I really enjoy going to see all
the different churches around the city. My personal favorite is Santa Croce
Church-- it’s where Michael Angelo is buried. It’s a beautiful church with so
much history behind it.
Tell us a little about your new school.
I go to Lorenzo de Medici University in
Florence. It’s a small college with around fifteen students in a class. The school is
spread all throughout Florence. The teachers are all very nice. The
dean of students and all the advisors are very nice and helpful.
What's your favorite class? Your favorite
professor? Why?
I have two favorite classes. One class is wine
and culture. During this class you get to taste different types of wine that are
made all over Italy. While tasting them we get to learn about the wines and
the region they have come from. My second favorite class is 'Lifestyle of the
Italian Renaissances.' This class is split
up into two parts each class. For the
first half, we have a lecture about what we are going to go see in the
second part
of class. This class allows us to see the churches in Florence and learn
about each chapel and its significance. My favorite professor also
teaches this class; he an Italian man who loves the city of Florence more
than anyone. He knows so much about the history and always makes it fun. He is
a very funny and sweet man. He shows the real meaning of loving a place, which
I never knew until he taught it to us. I will definitely be keeping in contact
with him after I leave Italy.
Tell us a little about your living situation.
I live in apartment that overlooks the Arnold River with
seven other girls. It was random selecting. We all became great friends right away. We travel and go out with together. There are four bedrooms so
everyone has a roommate. There are also
four bathrooms, one kitchen and a laundry machine, but thrtr is no dryer. The
location is over the Ponte Vecchio, which is not on the same side of the Duomo.
It’s far from school but I don’t mind having a 15 to 20 minute walk to class.
The reason why I love living on this side of the river is because there are many restaurants. It makes me feel like I’m back
in Hartford because I have to walk over the bridge to get home. I would not
change my living situation for anything.
Have you experienced any homesickness? If so, what do you do to
help you through it?
YES! I think everyone experiences homesickness at some point during their time abroad. I experienced homesickness around the
4th week being here. What helped me get through it was keeping busy and not thinking about what’s going on back at home. I did that because home will
always be there; I don’t know when the next time I'll be able to experience
this amazing place with these amazing people again. I’ve learned here to live in
the moment and not in the past or future because you don’t want to rush
anything.
What challenges have you faced abroad? What helps you overcome
them?
One challenge I have faced since being abroad is
the new environment. You would think that in a new place you’d be able to do the same
stuff that you do back at home... well that’s wrong. I have a hard time wanting
to get my work done. Back at home, I would say to myself “okay Aly, it's time
to go to the library and get your stuff done.” Here I don’t do that because the library
is far [from where I live] so I do my work in my apartment. This is hard for me because I get
distracted with everything. I always get distracted when it’s a beautiful day
outside and I know I have to get my work done-- it's so hard to say no to a
beautiful, sunny day. Another challenge that I face is budgeting my money (and many other students have the same problem)! For every trip, I make sure I have a certain amount
of money for food and to get into museums.
When did you start to feel at home in your new country?
Was there a specific time or event?
The first time it felt like home in Florence was
when I was walking up to Piazzale Michelangelo my second week here. When we got
to the top I just looked out and saw the view of Florence; right then I knew I
was home and I belonged there. I almost started to cry. It was one of the most
beautiful spots in Florence.
What are you most looking forward to this semester?
I’m looking forward to traveling to many places. My
dream is to travel the world. As of right now I’m getting most of Europe done.
I love not knowing what going to happen next while I’m here. I have to say I’m
not looking forward to going home when the semester is over.
What's one of the most interesting things you have seen so far?
When going to Turkey, we got to experience a
praying session in the New Mosque. They usual kick people out but they didn’t
in this one and it was very cool seeing it. Another thing that was very
interesting was going to a Dachau concentration camp in Munich, Germany. It was
the saddest place I’ve ever seen. I always wanted to go to one because I needed
to see for my own eyes how bad it was. When seeing it, I cried because I cant
believe people were actually put through this horrible situation. Those were the
most interesting things that have happened to me so far.
The
best thing about studying in Florence ?
The best thing about studying in Florence is
living in the city. The city is not so big, so you can walk everywhere and not
take a taxi. Also, the environment here has so much history. If you take an
art history class, you get to go out and see it for yourself while learning about
it. The best part of studying here is the people that surround you. They
are so friendly and if you ever need help they will steer you in the right
direction. I don’t feel unsafe here at all.
What would you want to say to Uhart students who are thinking
about studying abroad?
GO! This is the best experience of my life and it
could be yours also! You will regret it if you don’t go I know I would have.
Don’t forget to live everyday to the fullest while studying abroad because it goes
by so quickly! Don’t let anyone tell you not to go-- go and have the best time
ever! It’s a once and life time experience and take full advantage of it.
Hartford will always be there when you get back, but this opportunity might not--
so do it!
Tell us about….
- A triumph: Living in
Florence and making it my new home.
- Exciting news: I’m going
back to Israel while I’m here.
- A life lesson: learning how
to navigate a city where many people don’t speak your language, so you have to get
through it and learn on your own where to go and what to see.
- A memorable encounter or event: When my sister came for spring break. We traveled to Rome,
Barcelona, Paris and Amsterdam. It was a great bonding experience while I was
here and I really missed her so it was perfect timing. Another memorable moment
was when I went to Venice for Carnival. Seeing the beautiful masks and costumes
were amazing.
