1. To become fluent in another language

I studied Italian throughout my entire high school career. I was drawn to the language not only by its pure elegance but also because of the fascinating people who speak it. Italian has exposed me to so many new experiences that I would never have dreamed of. I have been to the opera, to other countries where I spoke Italian with Italian tourists, and to where I am now: In Florence for Marist’s Freshman in Florence Experience. The language that surrounds me now is more accessible than ever, and I am all too eager to delve into my formal Italian classes.

2. To travel

In just one month I get to meet my mother in Paris for the weekend! There are possible trips to Oktoberfest, Monaco, the Amalfi Coast, and Greece. Not only do I get to make Florence my home for a year, but also I get to explore my bucket list and check off new and exotic places. It’s more than thrilling to tell my friend studying in Ireland that I will be coming to see her for a weekend in November, knowing that I will be executing my transportation and budget. Travel opens your eyes to so many new and exciting things to surround yourself with such as going to the market to buy fresh produce, navigating a new transportation system, or learning a new language.

3. To be surrounded by art, history, and a new culture

The David? He’s in Florence. The Gucci Museum? In Florence. The Duomo? Also in Florence. The art, history, and pure age of the city makes Florence one of the most fascinating places to visit on Earth. To walk in the footsteps of Dante Alighieri, the father of the Italian language, cannot be done anywhere else on Earth. The chatter in Italian wraps around me like a warm blanket and it is all the more fun when authentic Italians wondering who you are and what you are doing here approach you.

4. The fashion

Did I mention both the Gucci and Salvatore Ferragamo museums are in Florence? Just people-watching through the city will strike inspiration. My orientation was a four-day affair in Tarquinia, a beautiful town on the ocean, yet I could feel my style slowly shift after a couple days of observing the Italians. As of now, I am a fashion merchandising major, and I felt that a city with deep roots in fashion, like Florence, could only benefit me in finding my way.

5. The food

This morning I had a Nutella cappuccino. That’s right. Nutella in coffee. There is Nutella ice cream, coffee, Nutella filled croissants, and everything in between. The mozzarella is so smooth and fresh here it could melt on your tongue, and the tomatoes paired with it are crisp and ripe. I have enjoyed the best gnocchi I have ever tasted since my arrival in Italy, along with savory gelato and fluffy croissants. While it is near impossible to get away from carbs here, I have managed to have delicious marinated eggplant and zucchini. My roommate is a fantastic little chef and today for lunch she sautéed garlic, asparagus, tomato, and beef. Needless to say it was the perfect midday treat (and will make me feel better about getting pizza for supper).

6. The drinks (coffee & wine please)

I have adapted to the strong coffee, and I am no longer surprised that it costs extra for me to enjoy my “breakfast.” Breakfast is an interesting phenomenon here. I went from approximately a bagel a day and my French vanilla iced coffee order to shots of fine espresso in between shopping at the market and orientation events. Besides the spectacular coffee scene, the wine that we were allowed thus far has been an awakening from every wine available in the States. The wine here is refreshing, crisp, and paired just right. The hype of the wine business in Italy has actually persuaded me to pursue a wine tasting and marketing of wine courses in my spring semester.

7. To make new friends

I have had the luxury of a room to myself until moving into college, and I was excited to have a roommate, an apartment, and hopefully close group of friends. As of now, my roommate and I are compatible in sharing our space, and our apartment flows smoothly. We have tea and decorate our space together. It is surreal that we all chose the same program with the different backgrounds and personalities we come from. I am looking forward to making strong friendships reinforced by the difficulties of traveling and living together. It is an exciting new experience that is different from your typical college dorm life, because we are in charge of cooking our meals and navigating a new city together.

8. To become more independent

Today two friends and I walked twenty minutes to Bank of America’s European sister bank to use the ATM. Twenty minutes after that I discovered the same bank and ATM five minutes from our apartments. I gather that this is what “adulting” is like-- learning from all the mishaps you encounter along the way. While I am excited to learn how to cook and dig into nutrition, I am not ashamed to admit that I wish I had my mom to help me food shop and plan out meals. There is no more sending my dad a quick text to pick up more turkey or coming downstairs on Sunday morning to fresh Brueggar’s Bagels (shoutout to Bostonians). I am looking forward to the day that I can plan a trip from start to finish on my own and cook a meal (almost) as good as one my mom would make.

9. To figure out my major

I landed in Florence and immediately wanted to know more about interior design so that I could stay in Italy for the next four years. Then I thought about never having cheez-its again for four years. It seems I want to change my classes everyday before they start because I want to try everything. I am thrilled to be in a city as aesthetically aware as Florence to guide me in the right direction. I also hope that my travels will point me in the right direction. I only know that being out here in the real world will help expose me to the variety of careers available and choose the right major for my interests (besides trying all the gelato in Florence.)

10. To challenge myself

I know it sounds cliché, but I really wanted to dive out of comfort zone into a culture I only dreamed of being a part of. It helps that everyone in my program wants to do the same, and we have banded together to book trips or haggle at the market. It is incredibly surreal to be six hours ahead of my family and life at home while I am studying and creating my own path, and I am grateful for every moment I get to spend in this beautiful and unique city.