After spending four weeks on the east coast of Italy, in the town of Macerata, taking a summer course through Princeton, I spent two and a half more weeks in Europe to travel on my own. These travels took me from Venice to Germany and back again, and I spent time with friends, both new and old, while exploring new cities.
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Posted: 11/25/08
Tags: princeton university study abroad italy germany travel diary
This summer was my first trip to Italy, and I left home with many typical Italian stereotypes in mind. Tables abound with pasta, pizza and wine, rich history, famous artwork and artifacts all over—I was almost surprised to discover how accurate these preconceived notions were. Almost every meal included either some sort of pizza or pasta, with other typical ingredients—pepperoni, prosciutto, mozzarella, basil—and always wine.
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Posted: 11/25/08
Tags: princeton university study abroad italy culture
Life in Italy outside of the classroom was endlessly intriguing and entertaining, and the four weeks in Macerata seemed to fly by. Our group consisted of only 13, all Princeton students, and naturally, after living, eating, traveling, and spending four hours in the classroom each day together, the group became very tight-knit, forming friendships that lasted beyond the duration of the program.
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Posted: 11/25/08
Tags: princeton university study abroad italy social life
All of the Princeton students were placed in one of the two residenze, or dorms, upon arrival in Macerata, and our professor explained that these two cute buildings, which looked more like houses, had once been an elementary school. We were each randomly placed in double rooms, with another one of the Princeton students. The rooms varied in size and shape but all had basically the same format and furniture—a bathroom with shower and two bookshelves, beds, desks, and bureaus. Compared to lots of typical college dorm rooms, the Macerata rooms were clean and spacious and we all made ourselves happily at home.
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Posted: 11/25/08
Tags: princeton university study abroad italy accommodations
I was so excited to finally arrive in Italy that I quickly forgot that the real reason I had come was to go to class. The students, 13 of us from Princeton, arrived in the little town of Macerata at various times on Sunday afternoon, and after we were leaving the welcome dinner that same night, bubbly with the excitement of tasty Italian food and new friends, our professor called after us—“See you at 9a.m. tomorrow morning.” Class? We all shared a look of dismay as we remembered.
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Posted: 11/25/08
Tags: princeton university study abroad italy academics
Living in Italy as an American was one of the most exhilarating parts of the entire trip. You are in all senses of the phrase in a whole new world. At first I thought it would be intimidating and that the Italians would dislike us. I was afraid I would insult them with one of my customs or with my lack of skill in the Italian language. But this proved unproblematic. I can honestly say I did not have a single incident in which someone mistreated me or I felt like the odd man out. The Italians were open and welcoming.
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Posted: 11/20/08
Tags: fiu florida international university study abroad italy culture
My study abroad program over the summer was coordinated through Florida International University's Honors College. The Honors College is a separate entity within FIU that selects students based on merit (GPA, SAT, community service, extracurricular activities etc.), as well as an essay application in order to be part of the program. The six-credit course taken in Italy is actually one of the ways in which students can complete their fourth-year requirement.
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Posted: 11/20/08
Tags: fiu florida international university study abroad italy social life
This summer I participated in the Italy Study abroad Honors College program for Florida International University. My trip completely opened my eyes to a whole new way of life. Everything was different from the baths to the food. Yet, as they say, different isn't always bad—and my experience proved just that.
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Posted: 11/20/08
Tags: fiu florida international university study abroad italy accommodations food
This summer I embarked on the greatest adventure of my life. I was one of the 24 students who visited Italy for the entire month of May with Florida International University's Honors College program. My study abroad experience was absolutely exhilarating and I would recommend it to all students. I don't say this only because of the nights filled with fun or the breath-taking views, but also because of all I learned.
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Posted: 11/20/08
Tags: fiu florida international university italy study abroad academics