Ciao from Firenze! It is hot and humid, but a lovely city. I had the opportunity to travel a bit before I arrived in Florence. I went to London for a week and made a quick trip to Bologna, Italy and Venice, Italy. It was a lot easier to adapt to the time change since I arrived in Europe a week before my program started. My roommates and I are very lucky, the view from our apartment is none other than the Duomo. It is a little astonishing to wake up in the morning and see the Duomo when you look out the window! It is very grand and extremely beautiful. The streets are always bustling with tourists and restaurants. It is never quiet. A quick tip if you are visiting Florence, open your windows at night and close them during the day. This is a more natural way to create a cooler apartment. I feel like a local in our apartment. The details are quaint and definitely Italian. The educational building is only a short walk from the Duomo. Our classroom is magnificent. The windows make the room feel enormous, they’re taller than I am. The birds are very talkative right from when the sun rises to when it sets. They love to add to our discussions. Professor Marinella and Professor Susan are highly engaging and make the content of our classes enjoyable. Being in Italy and learning about the cultural significance of Italian culture makes the experience all the more special. Instead of looking on the internet for a picture of authentic Italian cuisine, I can just go to a nearby restaurant and try it myself! I feel very lucky to have another opportunity to study in a new setting and immerse myself in a completely different culture. I can’t wait to explore more and apply what I learn in the classroom to the streets of Florence.