Update from Florence

After spending another week in Florence, I have come to the conclusion that I love it here. Just walking to class everyone morning brings a smile to my face. The 20 minutes walk to the Villa Rossa(where all my classes are) is filled with several beautiful sites. Which makes walking up early for classes a slight bit easier.

I have not slept much in the past week. I have class everyday at 9am and stay up late at night. This weekend didn't help me catch up on my sleep either. I had two field trips this week. I went to Assisi on Friday and Ravena on Saturday. The bus left the school at 7:30am! And being the smart person I am, I stayed up late on Thursday night and went on Friday night. Do not get me wrong, I am not complaining about the lack of sleep. The field trips were absolutely worth it. Assisi was a gorgeous city on a hill with amazing views. While we where there, we took a tour of the Basilica di Saint Francis, which was filled with amazing art work. Ravena is famous for its moasics, so we saw a lot of art work there.


After Ravena, I went home and got ready to go out for a friends birthday. We went to a club and had a good time. However, the Italian boys are aggressive on the dance floor. We had to shoot "No, Basta! Vai Via" Several times. Which means "No, enough! Go away." But all in all we had a good time. I enjoy having a chance to bust a move on the dance floor.

Tomorrow I start the second week of classes. My classes seem good so far and not too difficult. But then again it is hard to tell from the first week. I have a good amount of reading to do, but I still have time to enjoy my time in Florence. And I find the reading interesting as well. Reading about Withcraft in Europe and Italian Art is not too bad at all.

As my second full week in Italy is coming to a close, I begin to think about all I learned. I have already learned a lot about churches, art and Italian history just from my field trips and class introductions. However, the most important thing I learned about Florence from this week is:

That I never want to go home!

Ciao for now!
Amy

I love Firenze

My first couple days in Firenze has been fabulous. I love how the city is full of history and beautiful sights. It felt so surreal walking around the city today, it was just that gorgeous. We saw the Duomo, Piazza della Signoria and Ponte Vecchio. I was amazed by how beauitful everyone was. Things do not look like that where I live back home.

I am fascinated by all the sights and archeiture and want to learn more about the history of these piazzas and building. As I start to study in Florence, I will explore more muesuems and read more about what I am seeing.

I also love the food here. I had my first gelato of the trip today and it was delicous. Mango with Cafe. Strange combination, I know but I thought it tasted great. Tonight for dinner, my host mom made pizza. The crust was so thin and every tasted so delicious. I definately prefer Italian pizza over American style pizza. Our host mom gave us so much pizza and I am completly uncomfortable full right now. But I think it is worth it. Where else am I going to get to indulge in this amazing Italian cusine. When in Italy, right?

Every meal I have had here has been delicious. The tomatoes and cheese are so fresh and the wine is simply divine. I had some prosecco today and it was probably the best I have every had in my whole life. And I have had plently of proseccos in my life. It is, afterall, one of my favorite drinks.

Earlier in the week, I finished orientation. I signed up for classes and got wireless for my iphon. We also got our home stay and roommate assignments. I am living in a cute aparatment in the heart of Florence. We are about a 20 minute walk to campus, but at least we are a short walk to several fun places around the city. It only takes us about 5 mins to get to the Duomo. My host parents are a cute retired couple. They don't speak English and I don't remember much Italian so communication is difficult. But also I start learning Italian again in school, I am sure communication will be much easier. Communication may be difficult, but our host mom is a great cook. Every thing she had made for us has been delicious. Everthing from pasta to chicken to salads and pizza.

School starts Monday and I am actually exicited about the classes I am taking. I am taking:

Italian 2

History of Witchcraft

Art History

Italian Cinema

I am looking forward to learning more about the Italian culture and trying more delicious foods and wines. This is going to be an amazing four months.

Ciao for now,

Amy Bernstein

First Day

After 3 plane rides, a bus ride, a 5 hour layover in Munich and over 24 hours of travel, I finally arrived in Florence. My first day was full of oriention and other errands. I filled out paper work, went to meetings, got keys/internet access and just got a feel for the campus. The campus is small but gorgeous. It is basically several small buildings surronding a garden. We had lunch in the garden yesterday because it was such a beautiful day. After orientation, we stopped by the Duomo on the way back to the hotel. I can't believe how close the campus actually is to the Duomo. Just walking around helped me to get more acquainted to the city. I am looking forward to living here for a semester. Everything here is just so beautiful.

I also got an Italian phone yesterday so I can keep in contact with other people on the program.

Later today I find out who my roommate and homestay family will be. I am nervous and excited to see who I will be living with for the next semester. I speak very little Italian, which may make communication difficult. However, I am ready to fully experience the Italian Culture and believe staying with a family will help me to better immerse.

Last night, some friends and I bought a bottle of wine at some pizzeria to share. We just went back to the hotel and drank it while getting to know each other. There is nothing like getting to know each other over some vino.

I love Firenze so far. Everything is gorgeous and there is so much to see. I am looking forward to the next semester and am ready for new experiences that I will remember for the rest of my life.

Ciao for now.

Amy Bernstein

Today is the day

Today is the day I have been waiting for...the day I leave for Florence. I am both excited and nervous for the upcoming months. I am excited about experiencing the Italian culture and trying different foods. However, I am nervous about leaving the comfort of American and Santa Clara University behind. I will be thrown into new situations and I am nervous about staying with a home stay family. Even though I am nervous, I believe that I will have a great semester. I will not only have a blast and see some amazing new places. but I will learn a lot and get to experience a culture very different than my own. And for that I feel truly blessed. I feel extremely lucky to have the opportunity to study abroad and want to thank my parents for helping my dream to study in Florence a reality.

At 2:20pm today, I will board the plane to Florence and my adventures will begin. I am ready for a great semester. A semester full of traveling, trying new foods, learning and experiencing Europe.

Ciao for now!