Katie

Katie's Study Abroad Experience

My time in Florence has been spent learning not only about the Etruscans and the Renaissance, but about myself as well. It is extremely difficult to capture which incredible moments have impacted me the most about my study abroad experience in a short webpage, but here is my attempt at doing so. Please enjoy these little insights about my educational experience!

Most people hardly learn about the Etruscans in America, however I had the amazing opportunity of studying Etruscan artifacts right in the heart of an ancient Etruscan civilization. As someone who studies political science and conflict resolution, I never thought that I would be this mesmerized about exploring a necropolis in Orvieto or this astonished when I got to see the Francois Vase in person at the archaeology museum in Florence. Primarily, I will always appreciate the Etruscan tradition of gender equality. Women were buried in the same manner as their spouse and they were given the opportunity to dine at the banquet table with their peers; even the Etruscan wife of Tarquinius challenged gender norms in Rome and shaped their history as well. As someone who desires to become a policy analyst in gender issues for the government, this is a significant concept from this summer I will always remember.

Although learning about the Etruscans influenced my study abroad experience immensely, I cannot imagine studying in Florence without learning about the Renaissance. Before this summer I spent a semester studying about Niccolo Machiavelli and how he influenced the Medici rule during this time period, but broadening my knowledge about the Medici family’s power and wealth during the Renaissance while in Florence helped me envision it all so much more clearly. Seeing the David, climbing the Duomo, and walking around the tombs in Santa Croce were unforgettable experiences, but my favorite memory will always be writing my essay about the Fortitude in the Uffizi. I never thought I would enjoy analyzing a piece of artwork, I even hated going into art museums before this trip. But awing in front of a masterpiece by Botticelli in one of the most famous Renaissance museums in the world while making my own intellectual interpretations was incredibly challenging yet special. Piecing together the concepts I learned from the Renaissance--such as the connection between politics, religion, and art—demonstrated to me just how much my study broad experience has taught me that I would have never learned before.

As I mentioned before, it is immensely difficult to capture my personal experience in text. I have a variety of hilarious, educational, and unforgettable memories that are nearly impossible to put into words. As a result, I made a video that should illustrate these feelings more clearly. However, three entries from my private journal capture some of these special moments of learning about myself in another culture.

Thursday, May 24th:

Today I embarked on my first weekend journey during this study abroad experience. After class, I left to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa and to spend the rest of the weekend in Barcelona. This was my first time taking a train before, and it was quite stressful not knowing Italian or even how train stations operate in general. People always tell me that travelling will change you because it puts you in new experiences where you have to learn to adapt. I definitely had to adapt to the situation because I almost missed both of my trains, but now I feel like a professional and cannot wait to go again when I know what I am doing. Furthermore, seeing the Leaning Tower of Pisa was underwhelming—I am a little bummed out, but I guess now I can say I did it. Today was about learning to adapt to frightening situations and coming to terms with the fact that not everything is going to be a thrill, I just have to make the most of it.

Wednesday, May 30th:

During lunch in Chiusi, Amber, Camille, Brooke and I stumbled upon a beautiful park that overlooked a valley. There was no one in this park except for us, so we got to relax sitting against shaded trees with the best, unobstructed view. Sometimes experiences like this turn out to be my favorite because nobody else in our class had the same experience we did, unlike every other sight where we share similar memories. At this scenic point, I put my headphones in and stared out into the valley. I reflected on how fast this trip is going by; we already have completed almost two more weeks, so I imprinted this picture of the valley in my mind as an attempt to make time slow down. I often feel like these tours and mini trips are extremely rushed, so it was refreshing having an experience where I could “soak it all in”.

Wednesday, June 13th:

A few times this summer Amber, Camille, and I have taken evening strolls around Florence. Many people might not know this, but at night various musicians perform outside in areas such as the Ponte Vecchio and Piazza della Republica. As they play music, many locals will dance as the crowd surrounds them and cheers. It happens every night too. I think this will be one of the things I miss most about Florence; I love San Diego, but sometimes I feel like people in the United States do not stop to enjoy these happy, simple moments in life. Watching these performers also gives me the opportunity to soak it all in. When we are regularly in class, on tours, and traveling around Europe, I often forget to live in the moment because everything is happening so fast and I am tired all the time. But during these evening strolls, I am once again reminded of the beauty of this experience and how lucky I am to be living among an exciting culture and fascinating city.