I am probably one of the pickiest eaters you will ever meet. It has been a problem ever since I can remember. The first time I tried a carrot I threw up and I have not had one since. I do not like eggs, most fruit, and vegetables. You could say my taste buds never grew up. Recently I have been trying to stop this. I’ve had a lot of…
My name is Maria Shealy and I’m a junior at the college. I’m majoring in English with a concentration in writing, rhetoric, and publication, and I’m minoring in Women’s and Gender Studies. I’m studying abroad in Florence, Italy as part of a College of Charleston faculty lead program. I chose this program because it was offering classes in my both my major and minor, and I knew it would be…
Berberè pizzeria sits on a corner where wide, popular streets meet, as opposed to the narrow, more intimate alleyways that are stereotypical of the U.S.’s idea of Italy. With floor to ceiling windows taking up most of the front, passerby are allowed to see into the space. Painted white concrete walls, stylish wooden accents, and modern light fixtures let you know that it’s a rather new restaurant, but the warm…
College is seen for many as a time of independence- the first time you’re away from your house, your pets, your parents. Study abroad is taking this independence to another level by going to a place where you’re immersed in a completely different culture. For me, and I know for many others, a semester abroad is seen as a time to grow and learn about yourself, so I was ready…
I’m a junior arts management major and there is nothing I’d rather be studying. Museums, theaters, concert venues— I love it all. When I decided on the CofC faculty-led English and communications study abroad program in Florence, Italy for a semester, I got a lot of questions about why I would choose a program that is outside of my major, and I’ll admit that it sounds risky; however, I couldn’t…
For future students interested in studying abroad, my advice would be to do your research. Find out where you want to go, specific places you really want to see, and book any trips as early in advance as you can. However, I would also advise not being too hung up on your plans. Expect things to go wrong, because they will. You’ll have a travel issue, you’ll have awkward instances.…
After only a month of living in Florence, I have learned so much about my host city and the norms of studying abroad. Here are five things I have learned so far while studying abroad that have helped me adapt and immerse myself in a new culture! Attempting to speak your host country’s language goes a long way! I came into this program knowing very little Italian other than some…
My time in Florence, Italy has ended, for now after a month of learning about Parent and Child Interactions based on Cultural Influences. This particular psychology course has taught me a lot for my future. Since I know that I want to work with children in the future, this class has taught me many lessons. Not only were my academic goals accomplished with learning about this subject but also I…
I was able to visit Meyer Children’s Hospital which is a large pediatric hospital in Florence, Italy, with about 250 beds and many specialties with continuous growth. Although there are cultural differences between this hospital and a hospital in the U.S., there are also many similarities. Italy does not have certified child life specialists in their pediatric hospitals, but other professionals cover some of the services that a child life…
It has been a couple of weeks since I started living in Florence for my study abroad program. I have witnessed many cultural differences in the brief time I have been here. I have interacted with locals and attempted to go to the outskirts of the town rather than staying in the more tourist areas of Florence. After discovering new areas, I realized there is a drastic difference in central…
