Eating Like a Local by Ashley Butler

Arriving in Florence, Italy I was very excited to be immersed into Italian culture as quickly as I could. One of the ways that I was able to do this was by the love of food that both Italians and Americans share. I have been trying many different restaurants while in Florence, mostly being classic Italian dishes but some other cuisines. One of my favorites so far has been Trattoria…

Learning Everywhere by Ashley Butler

Some of my favorite days abroad have been the weekend trips I have taken and the cooking class we did as a group. While studying in Florence I was able to make these trips to Sorrento, Italy and Bern, Switzerland as well as a couple day trips. In class one the most important things to me that I have learned is about cultural humility. To me this concept is so…

Intro by Marlee Lord

Marlee Lord Art History and Historic Preservation/ Urban Studies and Studio Art Senior API Florence Business, Art and Culture/ Lorenzo de’ Medici: The Italian International Institute I chose this program because after researching my options for a summer abroad this program sounded like my perfect fit! I am deeply passionate about history, art, and architecture so as the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence was a no-brainer to immerse myself in…

Intro by Bryce Maldonado

My name is Bryce Maldonado. I am a rising Senior and I major in Psychology with a minor in Medical Humanities. The program I am participating in is the faculty led CofC in Florence (Psychology). I chose this program because it was a combination of everything I was looking for. As an aspiring Child Life Specialist, the course we are taking while in Florence and in combination with the Child…

Introduction by Melanie Orama

Ciao! My name is Melanie Orama, and I am a first-year graduate student at the College of Charleston. I am working towards my Master of Science in Child Life to become a certified child life specialist. Child life is a field that advocates for children during their most vulnerable times. It serves to create an environment that helps children have the most positive experiences possible as they endure hospitalization, illness,…

Intro by Ashley Butler

Hi my name is Ashley Butler. I am a sophomore at The College of Charleston majoring in Early Childhood Education with a minor in Psychology. The program I will be attending is a Psychology course in Florence, Italy. I chose this program because it will help influence my understanding in both my major and minor while immersing myself into a new culture. I am also excited for the course I…

Uffizi Museum by Katy Macklin

Hey everyone! So I went to the Uffizi Gallery the other day… and fell completely in love. I saw so many beautiful things, and I will never forget how many of them took my breath away. What also stunned me, you ask? How many of them reflected what I’ve learned about motherhood ideals, in the Independent Study I’m doing here in Florence. Below are two Madonna paintings that begged me…