Ciao! Mi chiamo Vanessa Alexander. I am an Instrumental Music Education student, a Million Dollar Band member, and Chapter President of Kappa Kappa Psi here at UA. For the past week, I’ve been studying Italian language and culture in Florence, Italy.
Being a first-generation scholarship student with a packed schedule and few funds to spare, I didn’t seriously think I’d be going on any of the programs I saw while unseriously browsing the Education Abroad page, but I knew that on the off chance that I did, it would have to be a choice of both passion and practicality. Lo and behold, the faculty-led UA in Italy: Language and Culture program in Firenze was the only one that would allow me to take an introductory language class, the last general education credit I needed. After looking more into the program and Firenze as a whole, I fell in love and immediately started putting together applications and fundraisers to make it a reality. Having spent the past year studying Renaissance, Baroque, and Classical music and art, I don’t think I could find a more perfect program if I tried. It didn’t set in that it was all really happening for me until I was eating dinner (penne and a pork chop) that first night in Florence.
I didn’t know when pulling these plans together in December that my future close friend and roommate next year was also going on this trip. I met my next-door neighbor from the past year for the first time in the Atlanta airport – we were headed to the same program, on the same exact flight. I also met a girl from my high school in my program; she didn’t move there until I had already graduated. It’s remarkable to me how we are all finally together for the first time in a little city an ocean away. These coincidences tell me I am right where I am supposed to be.
The first week absolutely flew by. My first night, I took a taxi from the train station to where I am staying, and it felt like a rollercoaster. All of the lights from the shops and restaurants shone so bright as we sped by, and there were people absolutely everywhere. Even so, the driver weaved in and out of streets and alleys with practiced ease. Moving through the past week has felt a lot like being back in that taxi. There is simply too much to see and do, and at times it can be so overwhelming!
I started learning Italian on the first Monday from scratch. I thought I would know a lot more coming in, given that I study music, which has a lot of Italian influence, and that I took French in high school. Some things are similar between the two languages, but not enough to be particularly helpful. Although my teacher told me I sound very French, I am so surprised and proud of how quickly I’ve picked up the language. The complete immersion is definitely helpful – the Nonna I am staying with doesn’t speak a lick of English, and I, no Italian, but now we can hold down a shaky conversation. I can confidently order my precious daily cappuccino and gelato completely in Italian!
I have already done so much in the short time that I’ve been here; I’ve visited the Palazzo Pitti, Palazzo Vecchio, the Uffizi, walked the Ponte Vecchio, traveled to the gorgeous Chianti vineyards, and traversed the Boboli Gardens. Even so, there is still much to do and see (and buy), and I haven’t even left Firenze yet!
This place is so incredibly beautiful. Anywhere in the city, you can look up and see some breathtaking architecture. Being able to walk everywhere is such a blessing – that is, until you get too distracted taking in the views and get caught on a cobblestone. The weather has been incredible: clear blue skies and almost always sunny.
I do miss my family, friends, iced drinks, air conditioning, and most of all Diet Coke – Coca-Cola Zero Zucchero is simply not the same. Even so, I’ve settled into my routine here; faccio colazione, walk to class, get a cappuccino and maybe a cornetto during my break, after class get lunch – usually a sandwich – and then sightsee and explore until dinner time. After dinner, I’m usually exhausted, but the city is very nice to walk around at night time– it’s less crowded and very cool and comfortable without the beaming Tuscan sun. I am expecting to be very tan when I return home.
Overall, I am feeling incredibly grateful. This time last year, I would have never guessed that I would be here now, sitting in a cafe in Italy. I thought people like me simply didn’t do this, even though I’d dreamed of it for so long. I know now that with support from my family, faculty, and a lot of hard work, it is possible and so, so rewarding. I had a moment earlier this week, eating lunch after school, where I nearly cried into my schiacciata. I worked so hard to come this far and eat that sandwich, and it was just so worth it. Small things, like bottles with attached caps, charm and fascinate me. I am taking nothing for granted. Tuesday, I’m headed to Cinque Terre, and this weekend we will be going to Venice!
Ciao Ciao, Alta Marea, and AEA!
Vanessa Alexander