What is good about being in Europe is the abundance of transportation! I had traveled on trains in Europe before my trip to Italy, but since being here I am using the train all the time. It is pretty straightforward, but if you haven’t been on a train before (or maybe you have) you may find my information beneficial! In Italy there are two train … Continue reading Train Travel in Italy by Kelsey Butcher
It was a tight fit. Everyone was squeezed together like the crush of a hallway during a class change. I was sweating before I walked in and I wasn’t the only one. After noticing the sweat dripping off of our faces a short man in white whisked into action. He snatched a remote off a counter, mumbled some Italian, and I heard the beeps of … Continue reading A Florentine Chocolate Shop by Corley Frierson
I had a couple classes that were focused on identities and communication while I was studying abroad. It turns out I retained more information than I thought I did, because looking back I have a pretty clear view of my identity while I was abroad, that I didn’t have before. While I was in Florence, I definitely felt more like an outsider. I thought that … Continue reading The Stereotype of Self-Discovery by Corley Frierson
This was a picture taken my second day in Florence, Italy. On the Ponte Vecchio, totally happy and excited—completely whole. It was difficult to leave home—my comfort, my familiar, my life. It was easier once everything brand new was popping up in front of my eyes and I was learning so much, experiencing even more. I wanted to laugh and shout and twirl all at … Continue reading Home Away From Home by Cassidy Sommer
What’s this place like? Lady Jane B. Boutique is small and packed from end to end, wall to wall with clothes, accessories, shoes, and knickknacks. To call it eccentric might just be an understatement and you can tell the moment you walk up to the store. In the window, you will find an assortment of vintage items ranging from Dorthey-esque high heels to 80s sequined … Continue reading Lady Jane B. Boutique by Hannah Bain
Being the avid coffee drinker that I am, I was very excited to extend my habits into another country, one that particularly is big on caffeine. I looked forward to finding the perfect places to study and relax while enjoying what may be my first or fourth coffee of that day. That being said, coffee in Italy is much different than that in the US, … Continue reading Coffee in Italy: A Lifestyle by Avery Gavornik
Something that I guess I didn’t really think about was that I would be going to the grocery store a couple of times a week to get food for myself! Florence specifically has a few different grocery stores around town. The one that is most prevalent, in my opinion, is called Conad. That is the supermarket closest to my apartment and the one that I’ve … Continue reading Going to the Grocery Store by Kelsey Butcher
My name is Avery Gavornik and I am a Junior majoring in Communication and minoring in Marketing. This fall semester I am studying abroad in Florence, Italy through a CofC Faculty Led program. I chose this specific program because it was exactly what I was looking for. Most importantly, the location is somewhere that I have wanted to travel to for my entire life. I … Continue reading Goals for Florence Avery Gavornik
My best days spent in Italy were not necessarily about a particular place, but about what I gained from the experiences I encountered. For my entire college career, my least favorite question was, “What’s your major?” That question always led to more questions such as, “What can you do with an Art/English major?” Many people, including family members found it strange that I found joy … Continue reading Learning Everywhere by Ayla White
How different can it really be, right? We still have to walk to class, listen to a lecture for an hour or two, complete readings and assignments, and take exams. As true as this is, Florence and Charleston aren’t exactly twins. To begin, for the past few months, my classmates and I have been taking classes in a hotel. Our classroom is located on the … Continue reading Class in Florence, Italy vs. Class in Charleston, South Carolina: by Avery Gavornik
