I’ve been in Florence for a little over two months, and it’s crazy how fast time has flown by. My goal this past month has been to immerse myself in Florence’s community. One of the things I have grown to love the most is the literary cafes. They’re spaces that combine a café and library or bookstore. I find myself going to one every day for a coffee and a place to study. I wasn’t much of a coffee drinker before I came here. However, the espressos and cappuccinos are addicting. I have been to many literary cafes, and I thought I could use this space to review the ones I’ve visited the most and ..read more

My top-floor bedroom window with views of the river and the ever-interesting vibrancy of the people walking below. I hear the sounds of vespas and sirens and beeping, but also of singing, laughing, music, and speaking. I hear the occasional trumpet or xylophone and clacking of horse hooves. When a sound is particularly intriguing, my head pokes out to watch, and I look down at my neighbor in his apartment below doing the exact same. Gelato. Whether I am feeling down, or up, or in-between. Sometimes on a cold day and always on a hot day. Gelato. 2.50 euro at my local spot. The river Arno. Arno ..read more

In a conversation with a local on a train ride out of London, they asked a question about our group’s abroad experience, “What are the biggest differences you have all noticed between England and America?”. We notice differences every day, but the question still took us a minute to think about. Our responses concerned the typical answers of food, driving, and dress. Ever since this conversation I have been trying to take note of more specific differences between the United States and England. While reflecting, I thought about one of the most relevant differences while being an education major ..read more

The Halfway Point: Update About Life Abroad By Rosie Lacy Adjusting to Life Abroad As I approach the halfway point of my experience abroad, I feel as though I am fully adjusted to life in France. I have gotten into a pretty stable weekly routine which has definitely helped Lyon to feel like a new home for me. In my program, we have 4 hours of class on Mondays. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. We have Wednesdays off. Interestingly,  for many years all school children in France have school off on Wednesdays (until about 2014), now schools in France have more flexibility around their schedu ..read more

Studying abroad in Florence Italy has already proved to be a one of a kind experience, granting me the opportunity to immerse myself in Italian art, culture and cuisine.  Florence captivated me from the minute I arrived. The first couple weeks living in Florence, every sentence I spoke started with the word “wow” or “omg”, and I’d be lying if I said that I’ve stopped. I am so grateful to say that the long cobblestone paths filled with vibrant marketplaces, restaurants, and history at every turn, has quickly become my new home.   I would probably say my favorite part of the exper ..read more

By Rosie Lacy LYON: FIRST IMPRESSIONS My first month in France has been such an eye-opening experience for me. I am spending the semester studying French at the Catholic University of Lyon, and within the time that I have been here, I have learned about so much more than just the language. My courses are full language immersion courses, taught entirely in French, bringing students from all over the world together in one classroom.  FROM AFAR TO FRANCE – DIFFERENT CULTURES COLLIDING This program has over 400 students from countries all over the world. Within my classes, there are students ..read more

I have been here for about a month, and I can safely say there is no place like Florence Italy. Every street and building feel like a work of art. And half the time it is! One of the cool things I’ve learned from my time here is that this city is all about art, culture, and history.   When I was thinking about what to write originally, I kept going back and forth on art or maybe travel stuff. Back home I study art and live in the studio but that hasn’t been my experience here. Art really is all around me, which is breathtaking, and I am for sure gathering information and inspiration. Howe ..read more

I was reassured, prior to my study abroad trip, that on the other side of “the pond” I would be greeted by friendly faces, lots of rain, and many many sheep. In my first month here, I have found all of these things to be true. As it turns out, both the sheep and cattle here actually hold a higher population than humans do. There’s truly nothing like an Irish welcome, which was comforting beyond words, especially being so far away from home. Among Ireland’s beauty and indecisive weather, I also experienced an unexpected wind of welcome from Storm Isha.  My first day in Ireland, I recall l ..read more

London is great for shopping, but this can be costly. Luckily, large cities offer so many outlets for sustainable fashion that are not only better for the environment and your bank account but also offer unique pieces that carry charm from generations. These pieces have historical character that can authentically showcase the fashion trends of the country. Next time you are thinking about stopping in a Zara or a Primark, walk a couple doors down to a small vintage or charity shop. The most popular charity shops in the UK are Oxfam and The British Heart Foundation. Like many other charity shop ..read more

Not only has moving to Italy been a beautiful wonder, but it has also presented some of the most humbling experiences of my life.  When I first moved to Florence, I was struck with intimidation as I walked through the streets, peering into shop windows with no intention of stepping in. I was curious as to what was inside but was too nervous to be caught in a language barrier. Trying to do everyday tasks can make you feel like a toddler- like practicing what to say when you buy bus tickets, having to signal through the glass at the bakery for what treat you want, and standing in a blank st ..read more