Watch Me Wander

Buongiorno a tutti! I am so excited to tell you all about my weekend in Rome. (I have never walked so much in my entire life) It's a lot bigger than I remembered and I definitely  appreciate everything I saw more now than I did when I was little. So let's begin: Saturday morning we all met at the train station bright and early. (8:10 is really pushing it for me) So naturally Francesca and I (most bomb roommate ever) grabbed a McCafe in the station, which is MUCH nicer than any McDonald's in the US. Anyways, we took the fast train, so the ride into Rome took under two hours! (I know, technology and it's modern day wonders) When we got to our hotel, we had about 40 minutes to grab a quick snack (yes, all pictures of food will be provided) and then our tours began. Panino before tours started! To get to the other side of the city, we all took the Met, which I am all for, however , in large groups some people tend to get lost and/or left behind. (I'm guessing y...

Ciao amici! As the week is coming to a close, I thought I'd share a little about my first week of classes! (because yes, even in a dream world, I need to go to school) I am blown away by the campus itself. FUA's buildings are scattered across the city, which I love. (definitely helps keep off the pasta pounds for sure) And after only being here for such a short time, I can honestly say that I'm slowly, but surely starting to find my way around the city...granted it does take some getting lost (a couple hundred times)... This is, no lie, the "classroom" that my advertising class is in! Since I have no class on Monday, my first class is on Tuesday at 8:00am (early I know, but trust me it's worth getting it over with). First class is intermediate Italian, which for the most part is review of a lot that I learned at Stonehill. #easyA! Then, at 9:00, I have Renaissance Architecture across town. (yes, I do need to bust my butt to get there on time) This class ...

Ciao! As today is winding down, I figured it would be a good time to talk about Venice! Our program, ASA, took all of us to Venice for an overnight and it was BEAUTIFUL. Such an interesting city to learn about... We took the train Friday morning (8am...I'm exhausted) and got to Venice around 10:30. Once settling at our hotel, we took a private boat over to the other side of the city, Piazza San Marco. This is where we saw the beautiful basilica that is the current burial place of the evangelist, Saint Mark (I know for me at least, this was like an "oh my gosh, I've found Christ" moment). We learned that the church ceilings are covered in over 2 acres of 24k gold sheets and it's hella  old.  Besides the history, this weekend was the start of Carnival in the city, which is basically just Mardi Gras x100. It's the Venetian's excuse to start celebrating Fat Tuesday, like 2 months early (can't really say I blame them). Apart from buying an extravaga...

Ciao!! Sorry to keep you all waiting, but I made it alive  (I know I'm shocked too) and I absolutely am in love with this city already. My apartment's backyard is the Duomo, so I'm quite spoiled, but just walking around and seeing the architecture and the history is so mesmerizing! Excuse me... this is gorgeous. Piazza Santa Croce was fun to walk around (as seen above) But I'll start at the beginning... My flight out of NYC was fine but late leaving JFK (what else is new) so when Pat, Justin, and I (best travel group ever don't @ me) arrived in Amsterdam, we had only THIRTY FIVE MINUTES before boarding our connecting flight. Let me tell you, nothing pulls you out of a jet lag day dream like panicking through the Amsterdam airport. However, after running through customs and getting looks from the locals trying to sell us tulips, we found our gate on the opposite end of the airport!  Once we got to Italy, our program picked us up at baggage claim and dro...

Oh my god, you GUYS! Quick update: I just got my housing assignment, which I have been waiting for since forever. I was getting a little nervous because the program I'm studying through (ASA) can place you almost anywhere in the whole city. However, (drum roll) I got the best possible location (italics makes everything more dramatic) Welcome to my apartment, AKA downtown Florence!! This is quite literally the most excited I've ever been about a picture of a door. Fran and I are going to be in a 2 bedroom apartment with two other girls (randomly) from Stonehill (not so random)! The apartment has a full kitchen and a cute little living room. We're also going to have our own washing machine (which sounds weird to be excited about, but trust me...guys trust me, it's a great  thing) Besides what's in the apartment...let's talk about what's more important: THE LOCATION. When you walk outside and look directly to your left, you will see the Duomo! (...

Hello everyone! Welcome to my travel blog for my semester abroad. I know this is quite early to start, but I'm SO excited and can't contain it anymore. Finals are really hitting me hard and I can't write my essays, so why not write a blog?! First, I'll give you all a little information about my much anticipated time in Europe... Just in case you don't know, I'm going to FLORENCE!!!! Ah yes, Italy, the heartland...where pasta is made daily and the wine is poured generously. The last time I was in Italy I could, in no way, appreciate it like I'll be able to this time around. (See below for awkward picture of me trying to be a cool local.) Yup there it is. But anyways, I'm studying at Florence University of the Arts, and (hopefully) living in the city center. I haven't been given my apartment address yet, (or should I say flat...no I think that's England...see this will be interesting) but I'll post it when I do. I'm taking five clas...