For those unfamiliar with the concept, think happy hour meets buffet... aperitivo is bound to be your new best friend. You pay one set price for a drink (take your pick of a cocktail, wine, beer, something non-alcoholic) and it comes with a buffet. The concept of a buffet can range from some chips and... Continue Reading →
30 Thoughts [After a Semester Abroad]
The looming nostalgia is suddenly amplified; everyday, I am reminded of what I was doing this time last year when I literally lived two blocks from the Duomo. Last week I was kindly reminded by Facebook and Google Photos that it was the year year anniversary of my departure from JFK and my arrival in Florence. I thought my open letter to the... Continue Reading →
An open letter to the person about to study abroad (in Florence).
To the person about to start a brand new adventure: Take a breath and pause to remember how you feel right now. If you are uncomfortable with the idea of living in another country for four months, that’s okay. In fact, it’s probably best that you are. If you wanted to be comfortable, you could... Continue Reading →
5 Things to Know Before You Order Gelato
After living in Florence for four months, I consider myself to be something of a gelato expert (check out this post about my favorite gelaterias.) While it might seem easy enough to get gelato, there are some things you should know in advance. 1. Don't be tempted by the colorful mounds: seek silver tins Any... Continue Reading →
5 Best Gelaterias in Florence
First, we need to establish two facts. Number one, ice cream and gelato are not the same. Gelato is churned at a slower rate, making it much more dense and flavorful than ice cream. Number two, Florence has the best gelato; this is probably because gelato was invented in Florence in the 16th century by... Continue Reading →
From Florence to Philly
The out-of-sync blinking of SEPTA trains getting ready to leave their platforms, the waving of four large American flags outside of a train station that could be confused with a capital building, travelers lined up down the block waiting for their Mega and Bolt buses. This is now the life outside of my window.... Continue Reading →
Leaving Home
As my semester in Florence comes to an end, I'm filled with emotions reminiscent of my high school graduation. Things that were once mundane and unexciting are now filled with nostalgia. I'm constantly met with "this might be the last time I..." The things I walk past everyday and have never done (like the Bargello... Continue Reading →
When Family Comes to Visit You Abroad
When my parents come to visit me at school, I never know quite what to do, other than dinner and maybe a little shopping. That being said, having visitors in Florence, Italy is significantly different than having visitors in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania. After my dad's trip to Florence in February and my mom's trip in April,... Continue Reading →
5 Crazy Ways I’ve Made Travel Possible
When some people study abroad, they have bottomless budgets and credit cards that they can swipe at the store or punch in when they are booking flights. My situation is a little different. My parents made sure I had enough money for the essentials (and a little bit of fun), but a large majority of... Continue Reading →
Learning to Travel: Leaving Doubts and Hesitations Behind
I've known that I was (probably) studying abroad in Florence since October of 2016--fifteen months before I headed to Europe for the semester. Susquehanna's required study abroad program makes the process a lot longer (and more complicated, in a way) compared to other colleges and universities in the United States. What I'm trying to say... Continue Reading →