Italy: Emma Vinopal

Program: Santa Reparata International School of Art (SRISA), Spring

Emma’s Majors: Political Science, Legal Studies

How will your experience benefit you in the future? How might it affect your future career or studies?

This experience truly changed me for the better. I became more independent than I ever thought possible. I also learned so many things about myself, like how I adapt and overcome challenging or uncomfortable situations. I learned that meeting new people and making friends seems scary at first, but it was so rewarding to put myself out there. I have learned better communication skills and interacting with a multitude of different cultures that will help to benefit me in the future. I have also learned not to be so hard on myself in my studies because there are so many experiences that help you learn, not just being inside of the classroom.

What is a custom, food or tradition from your host country that you are taking forward?

In Italy, a custom that was extremely difficult for me to get used to right away was the slower way of life. People walk slower, they aren’t always on time to things, they take longer to eat meals, and they never get food to go. At first, this way of life frustrated me coming from the fast paced life I am used to in the United States. As time went on, I learned to get used to it. Adopting this custom helped me to take in my experience and live each day on its own. For this semester, I stopped my constantly worrying about the future and truly started to live in the moment. Although it has been difficult to live a slower life being back in the United States, I am trying to make a conscious effort to do so and to live more in the moment.

What is your advice for someone considering your program?

One piece of advice that I would give to someone who chooses to study abroad in Florence is to say YES to everything! Branching out and meeting new people is what this experience is all about, and my experience was so much more enjoyable because of the friends and connections I was able to make while abroad. If someone you’ve barely spoken to in your class asks you to grab dinner, say yes! Even though meeting new people and doing new things that are out of your comfort zone may feel extremely daunting, it was the most rewarding part of my experience. In my program specifically, the classes were really small so it was easy to get to know other students. The professors truly care about you and want to help you, so making an effort with them goes a long way too!