I would advise any student, if they are granted the opportunity, to study abroad. I think that often, students might feel as if they “can’t do it.” For example, I have heard some say that as they approach their upperclassman or post undergraduate years, they feel it is more difficult to do so, so they then refrain. Though, as a graduate student, I am proud to say that I finished…
Amongst many of the great experiences I had encountered in Italy, one of my favorites was our visit to the children’s hospital in Florence. The Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria (AOU) Meyer Children’s Hospital of Florence, located on the outskirts of the city, is the only children’s hospital within the Tuscany region. It is rather new, built within the past ten years, and large, about 33,000 square meters total. It can be…
As I sit down to reflect on my time in Sorrento, Italy, I am flooded with a whirlwind of emotions and memories. It has been a little over a week since my study abroad trip concluded, and honestly, it feels unreal. Unreal that it even happened, and unreal that it’s already over. The past 6 weeks have been nothing short of transformative, and the experiences I had will leave a mark on…
Over the course of the four-week period I spent studying abroad as a graduate student, I have had the most gracious opportunity to engage with children and families at the Giardino di Borgo Allegri. This location, which, in English, translates to the cheerful village garden, was located just a few-minute walk from our apartment in downtown Florence, Italy. Essentially, the Giardino di Borgo Allegri, one of many community-based Giardinos in…
6 weeks, 14 cities. I have seen Diocletian’s Palace, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Duremo, Roman Colosseum, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Roman Forum and Palatine, Pompeii ruins, Mount Vesuvius, Faraglioni Rocks, St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace. The list could go on…and I still have one week left. I think when you go abroad you have a certain expectation for your experience. You ultimately want to make sure…
I thought last week of June would be the end of my time in Italy, but I was wrong! As a class, we briefly visited Venice a couple weeks ago to see the Biennale. It was an amazing experience; however, we were only there for a day and a half, and I was not able to experience much of Venice. Because of this, my parents decided to help me extend…
As I travelled to Portugal, I was very nervous because of the large language barrier. Portuguese can be like Spanish in some ways, but I did not know any Portuguese except from some songs that feature Portuguese and Brazil artist. However, I was able to understand some of the words around the restaurants, supermarkets, pharmacies and around the city. Also, because we were in the capital, almost everyone knew…
I am probably one of the pickiest eaters you will ever meet. It has been a problem ever since I can remember. The first time I tried a carrot I threw up and I have not had one since. I do not like eggs, most fruit, and vegetables. You could say my taste buds never grew up. Recently I have been trying to stop this. I’ve had a lot of…
My name is Maria Shealy and I’m a junior at the college. I’m majoring in English with a concentration in writing, rhetoric, and publication, and I’m minoring in Women’s and Gender Studies. I’m studying abroad in Florence, Italy as part of a College of Charleston faculty lead program. I chose this program because it was offering classes in my both my major and minor, and I knew it would be…
Berberè pizzeria sits on a corner where wide, popular streets meet, as opposed to the narrow, more intimate alleyways that are stereotypical of the U.S.’s idea of Italy. With floor to ceiling windows taking up most of the front, passerby are allowed to see into the space. Painted white concrete walls, stylish wooden accents, and modern light fixtures let you know that it’s a rather new restaurant, but the warm…
