August 2, 2024

Living La Dolce Vita: My Italian Study Abroad Experience

As I’m wrapping up my summer marketing internship here at Wisteria, I wanted to write a blog about my time studying abroad in Florence, Italy this past fall. It was one of the most unique and enriching experiences I’ve ever had. I learned so much about Italian culture while traveling to different regions of the country such as Lake Como, Lucca, Siena and the Amalfi Coast. Immersing myself in a different country’s culture for four months was a one-of-a-kind experience, and I want to share that experience with you.

Florence: The Soul of Tuscany

Florence is the largest city in Tuscany, thus why I called it “the soul” of the region. Although touristy, Florence has a very lively and vibrant atmosphere. Filled with countless restaurants, museums, nightclubs, and historic landmarks, there is always something to do in Firenze. The city has no shortage of stunning architecture, the Piazzale Michelangelo, Il Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, and Piazza della Signoria being the best representations of this. Every day on my way to class, I would walk by some of the most breathtaking landmarks I have seen. Even after four months of living there, I was never not in awe of these magnificent buildings.

Food is Everything in Italy

In Italy, it’s food over everything. Italians have some of the most extravagant dinners I’ve ever seen. Meals typically consist of 3-to-5 courses, often featuring amazing dishes such as bruschetta, spaghetti carbonara, chicken cacciatore, affogato and more. Italians love food so much that it’s socially acceptable there to eat out at a restaurant by yourself. Food is almost like an art to them; they take it very seriously. As part of my study abroad program, I attended a cooking class to learn how to prepare authentic Italian meals such as risotto, tiramisu, and rigatoni al pesto. As someone who doesn’t know how to cook, it was incredible to watch the head chef of the class effortlessly construct these elaborate Tuscan-style dishes.

Lake Como

Lake Como is a beautiful body of water nestled in the Italian Alps. I was lucky enough to stay in Colico, a small town on the east side of the lake, for about a week back in late October. What’s great about Lake Como is all the small towns located on the edges of the lake. Towns such as: Bellagio, Varenna, Nesso, Menaggio and more. The locals in these places give life to the picturesque lake. Unlike many major cities in Italy, most of the people living in these towns do not speak English, making for a much more authentic Italian experience. Lake Como has a very calm and quaint vibe. Life is quiet and peaceful there. Everyone is relaxed and lives life with an ease you don’t see in many other places. I hope to visit again someday, it’s an exceptionally special place.

Amalfi Coast: Turquoise Paradise

I’m not sure what other people’s dreams look like, but as far as I’m concerned, all of my dreams involve the Amalfi Coast. Seaside cliffs, 50-foot yachts, espresso martinis - that’s the Amalfi Coast. Luxurious villas, delicious seafood, translucent water - that’s the Amalfi Coast. Four friends and I stayed on the island of Capri for an unforgettable weekend. We didn’t see any celebrities while visiting the island, however, we did see the most breathtaking views of our lives. The way these extravagant, Italian villas rest on the side of this rugged, Mediterranean coastline, is truly a sight worth seeing. Visiting the Amalfi Coast was certainly an expensive trip, but it’s a trip I’m going to remember for the rest of my life.

The Italian People

The people of Italy love to enjoy the simple things in life: good food, good wine, and good company. They love a bottle of red wine, chianti preferably. They love adding truffles as a compliment to their pasta. They love drinking limoncello after eating a bountiful, five-course dinner. Perhaps most importantly, they love drinking a cappuccino, as long as it’s before 11 am. Italians seem to enjoy life at a different level compared to the rest of the world. I believe this is why many Italians are such friendly and charismatic people. Most Italians I encountered during my travels carried themselves with a warm enthusiasm for life. It’s something I have tried to incorporate into my personal life since then. We as Americans often get caught up in the nitty-gritty of life, but at the end of the day, life is all about good food, good wine, and good company.

Lucca and Siena

Lucca and Siena are two historic towns located in the Tuscany region of Italy. Situated about an hour's train ride outside of Florence, I took separate trips to explore both the cities on my own. Both cities have an incredibly rich history, with a similar oval-shaped piazza at the heart of each. While living in Florence, many of my friends griped about how the city was overly crowded and often felt “too touristy.” In these situations, I always suggested that they visit Lucca or Siena to get a better sense of the enchanting and romantic vibe Tuscany offers, while avoiding the touristy crowds. If you visit Siena, you have to check out the Piazza del Campo. There sits the Torre del Mangia, a 334-foot tall clock tower that overlooks the entire city.