abers104's blog

Studying abroad in Florence, Italy may have been the best decision I have ever made. I have grown as well as witness the imperative growth of others. I think that when I return home this week that I will be much more appreciative of what my home is and the comforts that the United States provides. I think that I will have better judgment when it comes to making decisions, and that I will less likely regret any of the decisions that I will make. At home, I think I will tend to compare things to the way they were in Italy, or wish that I could just pick up my belongings and head to Paris or Prague for the weekend. Studying abroad has allowed me taught me, more significantly, about sacrifice, compromise, and perspective. Traveling with a large group of people, 60% Jewish and I’m Catholic, to numerous countries has challenged my patience as well as my opinions. However, years from now I will remember the trips we took and the sights of Florence, but most importantly, the “family” that I was with. The one thing that I wish that NYU did differently with its study abroad program, here in Florence specifically, is allow the students to finish finals earlier and have at least 2-3 days before leaving. We are basically shipped out of here right after our last final, and because there is a strike everything has been moved up a day, it’s ridiculous! On the other hand, the program in Florence is, in my opinion, the most organized and “campus-like” of them all. I feel like I am leaving my home all over again.

This course has forced me to reflect on my travels, the courses I have taken, and the city of Florence this semester. I am very pleased with the layout, assignments, and overall outline of this course. In addition, I think that it is extremely helpful to read the novels or books that are accompanied in this course. They have provided various perspectives and cultural encounters that have both influence my experience here and my outlook on my temporary home. At times, uploading pictures and/or text have given me a problem, but overall, the website was structured effectively. The assignments as well as the overall course description were clear and interesting. One of my favorite things about this course, as I am sure others will agree, is the ability to read about other’s travels and lives in the various NYU study abroad sites.

Since my friends and I are a large, yet very close, group, we decided to have our own “Thanksgiving family dinner”. On Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, two of my friends and I cooked for our abroad family of 13. We spent hours cooking and baking various recipes that we either created or had found online. In addition, it was one of our friend’s 21st birthdays on Wednesday. The dinner was successful complete with turkey (almost impossible to find in Florence) and stuffing. On Thanksgiving, we left Florence and traveled to Amsterdam, our last destination. We arrived Thursday night and began celebrating another friend’s birthday. Immediately I realized the difference in culture, weather, and lifestyle in our new surroundings. It was much colder, the cuisine was diverse and almost international, and the atmosphere was oddly similar to Eastern European cities. In Amsterdam, we ate at a famous Pancake bakery with innumerable varieties of flavor combinations, and an Argentinian steak house, both extremely different from Italian cuisine. We also visited the Van Gogh museum, the historical Anne Frank house, and the infamous red light district. To say the least, this city was by far the most diverse and culturally different than any other I have visited.

Studying abroad in Florence, Italy may be one of the best decisions I have ever made. Aside from everything being absolutely gorgeous, everyday is a new adventure. I have learned to appreciate every little thing here. My advice for students considering studying abroad is DO IT! However, before you come abroad there are a few things you should do. Pack minimal, and don’t bring all of the toiletries that you may think you need. Our lifesaver here is the 1 euro store where you can buy things from pans to cook in to body wash and Christmas decorations, it’s amazing. Furthermore, work before you come abroad, and save as much money as possible so you aren’t worried or concerned. Once you get here, do not use the places labeled CHANGE to exchange your currency, atms are the place to get the best rate. Walk around the other side of the river, it is called otrarno, it’s much quieter and residential than other areas. In addition, go into any random churches or museums you find here, chances are they can be very important or just beautiful to check out. JJ Cathedrals is a very small bar located right by the Duomo that has a drink made of half cider, half beer, and a little grenadine; it’s delicious. Check out the American Brunch at Ari’s Diner if you start to miss food from home. However, if you want a twist on Italian food try Borgo Antico, and of course the usual favorites: Acqua al Due, ZaZa, La Giostra, and Il Latini. When it comes to traveling, try to plan ahead even though this may be hard. At least, have a list of places in mind that you want to go to so that you are not compromising your trip for other people. Enjoy Florence, or wherever you are studying, by making sure you stay in the city for at least a few weekends. I wish people would have told me not to bring as much clothing as I have! Especially shoes; do not bring anything you want to last forever because cobblestone streets are not conducive to maintaining them. I hope this advice helps!

I have recently traveled to the magical land that is Prague. I was visiting and staying with two of my friends from NYU, and upon arriving, I felt like I was visiting a piece of home. I’m sure that all students that have traveled abroad have missed their homes or universities in the states, and at some point also found a place throughout their travels that reminds them of that place. Both the culture and the people I was surrounded by echoed a familiarity of my home in New York. It was also the cheapest city in Europe that I have found so far. I felt at ease and comfortable while in Prague whether I was visiting the preserved Jewish Quarter, crossing the Charles Bridge, taking pictures in front of the Lennon Wall, or exploring the Castle. While, at times, the locals approached tourists in a cold manner, I felt their sense of appreciation for their country. I have realized just how proud I would be to show off both of the cities that I call “home” (Florence and New York). After this semester, I have found a deeper appreciation for the varying aspects of each culture, especially my own.

Art, architecture, and natural beauty are fairly dominant and obvious in Florence, Italy. The Uffizi is a large museum that displays many of the prominent pieces of artwork by the artists that influenced the history of Italy. De Botton discusses how artists create and convey certain ideals and images in their works through a decision process that ultimately results in the display of what they feel is most important, or what they like. Giorgio Vasari, both writer and painter, is a perfect example of an artist in Italy that both criticizes and praises others. His book entitled Lives of the Artists analyzes the techniques, styles, achievements, and faults of the most important artists from three different periods of art in Italy. He categorizes the artists into groups that represent the strength of their ability and talent, as well as their impact on their successors. The artists Vasari discusses, including Boticelli, Verrocchio, Michelangelo, and Donatello, have numerous works displayed in the Uffizi. When visiting this massive museum, one is able to travel back to 13th- 16th century Florence or 4th- 5th century Rome, and also view works from other countries. Art is represented and celebrated in the everyday life, in Florence. In my opinion, the city of Florence is one of the few that I have visited that still holds true to its historical appearance. It is not westernized, nor modernized significantly by other cultures other than its own. De Bottons final words in chapter 7 of his book The Art of Travel express perfectly my perception of art in Florence: “Art cannot single-handedly create enthusiasm, nor does it arise from sentiments of which non artists are devoid; it merely contributes to enthusiasm and guides us to be more conscious of feelings that we might previously have experienced only tentatively or hurriedly.

Upon visiting numerous museums throughout Florence, my expectations were met and also challenged by the diverse settings and artists. As I grew more comfortable with “my city”, I also became more comfortable with the location of some of the most important and touristy sites to visit. However, I still find myself discovering new shortcuts, restaurants, great views, and how these places are connected and related on maps. The Arno River serves as a perfect divider between the more residential area south of the Arno called the “Oltrarno”, and the busy area located north of the Arno. Analyzing the local map of Florence as well as the entire map of the country of Italy has shown me why the city was a center for agriculture, fashion, and an economic boom post WWII. When walking and passing through the crowded street Via Tornabuoni filled with shoppers towards the Ponte Vecchio, crossing any of the many bridges, and continuing on through the noticeably quieter streets on your way to Palazzo Pitti, one truly appreciates the history and warmth of the city of Florence. In my opinion, the city is made for exploring on foot. The views from the top of Piazzale Michelangiolo, the bell tower of the Duomo, and even my campus at Villa Ullivi are breathtaking. The grandeur of the city is evident in the smaller alleyways as well as the larger spaces, like Piazza della Repubblica and Piazza della Signoria.

A Traveler's Literary CompanionThe second book that I am reading is titled “Italy: A Traveler’s Literary Companion” by Lawrence Venuti. The book’s purpose is to enhance the reader’s and the traveler’s knowledge of Italian culture through a literary perspective. Venuti suggests that in order for a traveler to completely understand and deepen their visit, the traveler must explore the literary aspect of Italy. Within the book, the author includes various Italian fiction stories that illustrate the changes within Italy during the twentieth century through both a historical perspective that is both literary and social. Furthermore, there are specific circumstances of the interactions between Italians and foreign tourists. A central theme that is explored in the book is how Italian writers are concerned that their countrymen depart on travels within their native country either for business or pleasure. Culture differences throughout Italy are shown, compared, and contrasted throughout the work from numerous Italian writers’ individual stories. 

la pietra

Recently as a traveler, I have witnessed and adopted the varying cultures of Eastern and Western Europe. However, I can only say that I have entered the back region of Florence, Italy, the place I have called home for the past eight weeks. Dean MacCannell uses Erving Goffman’s dichotomy of front and back regions to compare and contrast the tourists’ views of the front, back, and even the outsider perspectives of their journeys. I agree that tourists seek to become part of the back region and understand it, but this is not always the case. Many decide that this region is sacred, unfamiliar, and unattractive. One can only become a part of the back region through completely immersing oneself in culture over an extensive period of time, adopt the principles and practices of a culture in one’s daily life, and embrace one’s newly found knowledge. MacCannell describes Goffman’s six stages of the tourist setting from the front region to an imitation of the back region, and then finally the tourist entering the actual back region. Visiting the old homes of the Medici family in Florence, Italy, a stage five experience, is one example of how close as I have gotten to reaching the back region. Authenticity is another theme MacCannell explores. Myself as well as many others, both tourists and temporary citizens, seek the authentic Italian cuisine, landscape, and laid-back lifestyle. Throughout my traveling and exploring, I have constantly sought to obtain the most possible authentic food, streets, and activities that exist in a certain place. The authenticity of a culture is what makes it unique and desirable.

Traveling and studying in Florence has been the best two months of my life so far. However, this past week, due to midterms has not been so pleasant. Spending time with my mother, studying, and planning fall break has been exhausting. I should not complain though. Today is the beginning of a 12- day trip with 10 of my friends to Barcelona, Madrid, London, and Dublin. The mere possibility that I could travel to almost anywhere is still hard to fathom. Most recently, I have traveled with my mom to Rome, Chianti, and Venice. Rome reminded me somewhat of downtown New York City with its historical charm and busy streets. I am convinced that you could spend the entire semester in Rome and still not have seen everything. It was incredible to see the ruins of the Roman Empire and the foundation of western civilization, however it was exhausting and I was ready to get back to what now feels like home, Florence. Chianti, on the other hand, is definitely one of the most beautiful and relaxing regions in Italy. Wine tasting and exploring the Pazzi family’s old home allows you to experience the other side of Italian culture outside of the city. Venice, too, is one of the more relaxing destinations in Italy. Walking from one piazza to the next and exploring the hidden ally ways is a one of a kind experience. Although I do love eating pasta, drinking wine, and sipping cappuccinos, I’m looking forward to embracing three new cultures and traditions, at least for the next ten days.