Usd fall 2015

University of San Diego FUA Florence University of the Arts

F LOR ENCE AT A D ISTAN C E Fa l l 2 0 1 5

FLORENCE AT A D I STA NCE A Message from your Resident Director:

Auguri for completing a successful semester abroad at Florence University of the Arts! It is an indisputable fact that time abroad changes you and forces you to expand and see the world with a new set of eyes. Over the course of these past three and a half months you have become more independent and secure in your abilities, more aware of your surroundings, and - of course - more Italian! You have learned to navigate your way around an unfamiliar city and, beyond that, master its roads and attractions to the point where you can now construct a perfect day in this beautiful place!

It has been a pleasure getting to know you and seeing you around campus and I hope that you will take the experiences and lessons learned in Florence with you for a lifetime.

Alla prossima,

Jessica Volpe

FLORENCE FALL 2015

Student Profiles

Stephanie Abreu Ma r keting Ten years from now I will remember...

My experience as a time of great personal growth and development.

Having the time to learn about myself through European culture and ways of living have informed my ability reflect the way I view life, my priorities, and my relationships. Having the time and opportunity to travel for so much of my time abroad undoubtedly contributed to these moments of great personal progress.

I am grateful for this experience because... Studying in Italy gave me the opportunity to travel most of continental Europe. At first glance, it seems obvious that spending a semester abroad would include some travel but having the ability to get lost in places all over Europe is quite unparalleled. From the snowy Swiss Alps to the urban streets of London, I am blessed to have left my mark here.

The best instructor at FUA was... Simonetta Ferrini. I took two of her classes, World Religions and Contemporary Italian Literature. Her vast knowledge of so many different topics always left us wanting more.

Items checked off my Florence bucket list are...Learning to appreciate authentic Italian cuisine and visiting the famous Italian city, Venice.

FLORENCE FALL 2015

USD University of San Diego

Kristina Burns Psychology Ten years from now I will remember...

The good times and the hard times. I will remember the toilet exploding but I will also remember the laughs, and the times spent traveling. I will remember seeing the pope and the happiness that it brought to all the Florentines. Most of all I will remember the times spent getting lost in the city.

Living abroad has taught me...How big the world is. When you have the ability to travel the world it widens your horizons and it’s a humbling experience. I have lived in Southern California my whole life and this experience taught me what it’s like to leave home and adjust to life when things don’t go as planned. I’ve learned and experienced the effects of change, it’s a scary thing but you learn so much.

The best professor at FUA is... Simonetta Ferrini and her class Literature of the Grand Tour of Italy. We discussed the hotspots throughout Italy and what famous authors thought of them!

Items checked off my Florence bucket list are... Climbing the steps of the Duomo, getting lost in the city, finding my favorite gelato shop, and watching the sunset from the church of San miniato.

Blair Butler Sociology Ten years from now I will remember...

Sitting in little cafes, drinking the best cappuccinos, eating the best cannoli, and absorbing the energy around me.

The pace of life here is so different, every day was about taking in my surrounds as they were, taking things in as they happened, and not taking a minute for granted.

A perfect day in Florence consists of...

Waking up early, before any of the shops open and the streets are still empty, and walking around. A city that is usually filled wall to wall with tourist snapping vaguely inappropriate pictures of David, talking loudly, and blindly following a nice lady waving an umbrella is suddenly quiet.

Items checked off my Florence bucket list are... Seeing Papa Francesco, climbing the Duomo and getting to know the city well enough that at almost any point that I was lost, I managed to figure out how to get home.

My most memorable moment at FUA was...

Simultaneously teaching my Italian teacher English, while he had the even more difficult task of teaching me Italian.

FLORENCE FALL 2015

USD University of San Diego

Tricia Chang Psychology Ten years from now I will remember...

The experience of meeting an array of new people, traveling to various parts of Europe, and having the opportunity to learn and utilize the Italian language.

I will never forget the feelings of initial excitement and awe I felt during my time abroad. I hope that I will be able to return to Florence in the near future and experience these same feelings of awe as if it were my first time in Florence again.

I am grateful to this experience because...

It has helped me grow much more as an individual. It has taught me the importance of being independent. For example, if anyone were to leave me alone with a map before I had underwent this experience; I would have gone into a panic. It is because of my experience abroad that I am no longer afraid in situations where I have to rely solely on myself. I am additionally grateful to this experience for allowing me to see most parts of the world that I have never seen.

Honestly, I thought I would have to wait long after I graduated from college in order to travel to the places that I have traveled to so far and I am so thankful to my parents and the abroad program for making this experience possible.

Items checked off my Florence bucket list include... Eating endless amounts of gelato and pasta, running to the top of Piazza Michelangelo, exploring the Uffizi Gallery, seeing the Statue of David, and climbing the Duomo.

Danielle Giulia Devine B u s i n e s s A d m i n i s t ra t i o n M a j o r In ten years from now I will remember...

How fortunate I was to have experienced such an amazing adventure. I will remember how my time here in Florence has shown me what it’s like to be on my own in a completely foreign place, but by making friends and opening my mind to new endeavors I was able to overcome the fear of not knowing what lies ahead of me.

I am grateful for this experience because...

I truly met my best friends in Florence.

I found what it is like to have peace in my heart and I truly understand the importance of having an open mind in life. I learned how to live with people that I don’t know, and I learned how to become friends with them anyways. I grew as a person and I am grateful for that.

The items checked off my Florence Bucket List are‌. Endless, but I particularly enjoyed hiking to Piazzale Michelangelo and seeing Florence from above. I also liked climbing to the top of the Duomo to see all of Florence, and I absolutely love walking along the Ponte Vecchio at night with great friends.

FLORENCE FALL 2015

USD University of San Diego

Danielle DeVries Communication Studies Ten years from now I will remember...

The wonderful people I met through this experience, and all the amazing adventures all over Europe we had together. For me, it wasn’t all the great museums, monuments, etc., but rather the people I saw them with that made this trip one of a kind. I will also remember the exciting feeling of waking up in a new county every week.

I am grateful for this experience because...

It is one of the only times in my life where I can travel freely and go wherever on a whim. I am so lucky to have a great family that has supported me in this endeavor, and will never be able to thank them enough for quite literally “giving me the world.”

The best class and instructor at FUA was...

Italian 101 with Francesco Felici, he made taking a language class, something I normally dread, fun and relatable.

Items I’ve checked off my Florence bucket list are... Being mistaken for a local and being able to navigate the city.

Marissa DiBiasio A c c o u nti n g Ten years from now I will remember...

That there is always something new to see, to learn, to eat, to be, and to try. From walking through Piazza della Repubblica everyday to people-watching all the native Italians on my tucked away street, everything was so mesmerizing. I will remember the way the secret bakeries smelt late at night, new ways to grocery shop at Conad, and the varieties of food at Mercato Centrale. Each and every friend I made will be cherished forever.

I became a Florentine when... I realized that Florence has become a second home to me and I no longer felt lost and alone.

At the beginning the streets of Florence seemed to be a maze but sooner or later they became implanted in my memory.

Although Florence contains so much history, I have felt like I became apart of that history and in the big context of it all I was just another anonymous student to be graced by its wonders and beauty.

My favorite Italian words are…“Allora” and “buona sera.” These two words particularly stuck out most to me, maybe it was because I heard them most often or maybe it was because of the way they rolled off the Italians’ tongues. No matter how hard I tried I could never quite say them with the flair and finesse that the Italians did. They always brightened my day and put a smile on my face.

FLORENCE FALL 2015

USD University of San Diego

Shaina Edlin M a r k e t in g Ten years from now I will remember…

Taking my first step off of the plane and realizing I was going to have to get on a little bus that would take me from the plane to the main airport, but more importantly the 67 stairs I had to climb to reach my “fourth” floor flat. We thought it would get easier after a couple weeks, but sadly we were wrong.

I am grateful for this experience because…

I learned to be a more independent and well-rounded person. I learned how to forget and worry about things that don’t have a large impact on my life, and I learned to appreciate the small things I have, like my tiny twin size bed, my small fridge, and single pane windows. I learned that the older the item, the more culture and more history there is to learn.

A perfect day in Florence is... Waking up around ten in the morning, walking past Piazza Santa Croce, and stopping for a cappuccino at the little café on the corner of Corso Tintori. Then after my class, walking down different and new streets I haven’t seen, and eating a panino for lunch at Al’Antico and then walking by the river. To finish my perfect day I would like to eat dinner at the Central Market and have gelato at Edoardos.

Lauren Egan Int e r n at io n al B u s i n e s s Ten years from now I will remember...

All of the incredible people I have met here in Florence, as well as the unique perspective being in one of the art capitals of the world has put on all of my classes, even the ones that do not focus on art.

A perfect day in Florence consists of...

Walking past both the Duomo and Santa Croce on my way to class, learning about the history of Florence in class, getting fresh made pizza for lunch, walking along the Arno and past the Ponte Vecchio on the way home, having a traditional Italian dinner followed up by some gelato.

The best class at FUA was... Chemistry in the Visual arts because it made chemistry relevant and everything we learned was useful and interesting.

Items checked off my Florence bucket list are‌ Climbing the Duomo, visiting Piazzale Michelangelo, and going to Fiesole.

FLORENCE FALL 2015

USD University of San Diego

Callen Falash Behavioral Neuroscience Ten years from now I will remember...

All of the beautiful European countries I saw with the best people I could have experienced this with. No words can be found to explain how truly blessed and grateful I am to have been given this opportunity, and to have gotten to know the greatest friends that I hope to keep with me as I return home.

Living abroad has taught me...To appreciate how people in different countries live in comparison to my life back home. Admittedly, it was difficult to rid of the ideas I had about how everyone else lives in the world. It has not been an easy task, but I have understood the similarities as well as valued the differences between those living in Europe and me.

My favorite class at FUA was... Literature of the Grand Tour of Italy because I was able to relate to those traveling to Italy in the 17th and 18th centuries.

They experienced similar feelings and thoughts as I have during my travels, and I have felt very comforted by this.

Items checked off my Florence bucket list are‌ Walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo, visit the beautiful Boboli Gardens, explore Palazzo Vecchio, and eat the most amazing food in the world.

Elisa Flores Architecture Ten years from now I will remember...

The independence I’ve learned. I will cherish the 25 mile-a-day walks, searches for student discounts, and authentic meals at local places. I will miss the anxiety of not knowing where our hostel is, running late for a flight, getting a train ticket ten seconds before having it arrive at its terminal, and having to figure out how to navigate around a city I’ll only be in for a weekend.

I became a Florentine when... Crossing the Ponte Vecchio to get home became as causal of an experience as walking through Piazza Duomo to get to class. It happened when ordering a cappuccino and a croissant became as automatic as saying “ciao” to the shop owners near my apartment. I realized it when gelato became a major food group in my diet, and when the family across from our apartment started waiting for us to wave at them at the same time every morning and afternoon.

The best instructor at FUA was... Linda Fineschi, because no matter how quiet our six person, 8 am, fourth-semester Italian class got in the morning, she never lost her enthusiasm.

FLORENCE FALL 2015

USD University of San Diego

Alexa Grunder M ar k eting Ten years from now I will remember...

Walking through the streets of Florence past the Duomo, Santa Croce, and Palazzo Vecchio in order to get to class. It is such a surreal feeling to be able to take in this amazing architecture and history simply on your walk to class. The beauty and ease of the city is something that I will remember forever and definitely miss back home.

I am grateful to this experience because...

I have been able to visit so many different countries and further enlarge my view of the world. Experiences mean so much more to me than material items ever could. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am so happy to have taken advantage of it. It has also been great to meet new people from USD who I would not have met otherwise.

The best instructor at FUA was... Paolo Fiorini. Paolo really knows his stuff as he has been working in the marketing industry for many years and owns his own marketing agency.

My favorite Italian word is‌ Cappuccino.

Cappuccinos have made me very spoiled with my coffee and it will be hard not be able to drink a cheap and delicious cappuccino everyday back in the States.

Eric Hanson B u s i n e s s A d m i n i s t ra t i o n Ten years from now I will remember...

The extraordinary places that I have been, and the wonderful people that I have met during my time abroad. I will also remember the little things that you enjoy when living in Florence, such as eating a panini while sitting on the steps of Santa Croce or going to an aperitivo with friends.

I am grateful for this experience because...

Of all extraordinary things I was able to do in such a short amount of time. During these past few months I have traveled to 8 different countries, and have seen places and met people that will impact me for the rest of my life. This coupled with the life long friends and memories that I made in the city of Florence, has made my time abroad truly memorable.

Items checked off my Florence bucket list include... Visiting many of the beautiful churches, buildings, and piazzas around the city. All while enjoying some of the best food in the world.

My favorite Italian word is...“Prego�, because it is used often throughout daily life in Italy, and by understanding its many meanings, I became more assimilated into Italian culture.

FLORENCE FALL 2015

USD University of San Diego

Alyssa Icasiano M ar k et in g Ten years from now I will remember...

The first time I left home and had the experience of a lifetime. The friends I’ve made and the troubles I’ve overcome. I’m going to remember the moments that have made me stronger and smarter in so many ways. I’m going to remember not to take anything for granted and that everyone is unique, and that diversity is a beautiful aspect of all of our lives that we should all embrace.

Living abroad has taught me... To take life one-step a time and to live in the moment. To embrace all of the different aspects of life that you’re not used to seeing. Life happens way too quickly and if we don’t take the time to enjoy it will pass us by like a fading memory. There are so many things you can do with a little bit of motivation and your feet. Last but not least, life is extremely beautiful.

Items checked off my Florence bucket list... I haven’t crossed off much but Piazzale Michelangelo and see the David. Also, eat gelato for a whole week straight.

My favorite Italian word is… I love the word “Prego.” Italians use it for everything and sometimes I wish English had a word that could be used in so many ways.

Helene Johnsen Communication Studies and English minor Ten years from now I will remember...

My transitional period to adjusting to living in Florence. The initial discomfort was the catalyst to tremendous personal growth and introspection. I had to dig deep in order to remain grounded and in doing so I uncovered more about myself than I ever had before. I realized that I had to stand on my own to feet in a land that felt it was made out of quick sand as an immense amount of experiences came at me such that I was just gulping down m experiences. I learned that I needed to learn to stand on my own in order to go beneath the surface and truly be present in all my new experiences both good and

bad. The emotional ability to go with the flow and recognize my own feelings and where they derived was a result of the transitional time period introspection.

places I discovered such as a cappuccino at a local cafĂŠ, or saying hello to the same artist on my walk home. This is when I became a Florentine.

I became a Florentine when... Getting lost was no longer such a big deal. I realized that the crazy un-grid-like roads could leave in many curvy directions and that what initially was getting lost was actually getting found. I was able to find myself in the places I discovered while “lost� and I realized that most roads let in directions such that I could find my way no matter where I was. When I started having a routine at some of the

I am grateful for this experience because...

I have learned to live in a foreign place comfortably. I have realized my desire for living in another European country once I graduate college. I have realized that the barriers that seem so high such as language and culture can quickly be broken down through assimilation and effective intercultural communication.

FLORENCE FALL 2015

USD University of San Diego

Martha Kauls Marketi n g M ajor Ten years from now I will remember...

All the people and friends I met here in Florence. Traveling around Europe was amazing, but what made it even more memorable was the people I was surrounded by. Living abroad has definitely bonded everyone together through this shared experience and I have no doubt that I’ll stay in touch with the vast majority of my new friends.

Living abroad has taught me‌How to be independent. Living abroad takes a lot of responsibility and even though developing the skills to live here was not necessarily easy, these skills are very much worth it in the long run. After living here, I feel confident that anywhere I move in the world, I can figure it out on my own and thrive in a new situation.

My favorite Italian word is...Bellisimo! It means beautiful and besides describing the city and people here, it also just rolls off the tongue nicely.

Items checked off my Florence bucket list are‌ Seeing the pope, finding the best gelato in town, wandering through the Uffizi, and watching the sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo were all big highlights.

Kathryn Kelly Communications and Marketing Ten years from now I will remember...

The excitement of traveling Europe with some of my best friends. I’ll remember standing in silence on top of the Arc de Triomphe at night, being reunited with friends from home in Munich, and a late night stop for churros in Madrid. Most of all, I will remember the thrill of walking through a new city for the first time and feeling grateful for this experience.

Living abroad has taught me... That there are a lot of things Europe does better than the States, but also to appreciate the amenities of home. Public transportation, international travel, and discovering new cultures are much easier to enjoy in Europe because the whole continent seems to be connected and accessible. However, I found myself missing small pleasures like driving my car, huge supermarkets, and not having to line-dry my clothes.

My favorite Italian phrase is... “Festina lente.” It means “make haste slowly” and was the motto of Cosimo I de’Medici.

It reminds me to use time wisely, but also to appreciate what I’m doing.

Items checked off my Florence bucket list are... visiting the Uffizi and Accademia, going to mass at the Duomo, and eating as much gelato and Gusta Pizza as possible.

FLORENCE FALL 2015

USD University of San Diego

Kayla Kimball Marketing Ten years from now I will remember... All of the times I got “lost” in Florence. I will never forget the first day that it took my roommates and I over an hour to find Corso Tintori, when it was a mere 15-minute walk from home. Some of my favorite days in Florence were the ones that I spent getting lost in the little alleyways and side streets; it was the best way to learn my way around the city.

I am grateful to this experience because... It has taught me to live life with a new perspective of the world around me. Living abroad has allowed me to explore and appreciate cities, cultures, and languages that I had never been exposed to prior to this semester.

Moreover, I am grateful to my family for making this adventure possible, and to my friends that I was lucky enough to share so many memories and experiences with!

My favorite Italian phrase is... “Allora” which means, “moving on” or “now”.

This phrase will forever remind me of my teachers at FUA. They were always using this to transition in class or just to get everyone’s attention (which can be difficult in a class of 40 girls).

Blake Koloseike B u s i n e s s A d m i n i s t ra t i o n , M a r k e t i n g M i n o r Ten years from now I will remember...

My first day arriving in Florence. I will remember thinking I would never be able to navigate around the streets without getting lost. I will also remember all the fun trips and adventures I’ve had while being abroad throughout Italy and Europe. Finally, I will remember the countless trips my roommates and I made to Zaza’s.

Living abroad has taught me... To be open-minded and to live in the moment.

The people of Florence don’t rush through things like most Americans do. They take the time to enjoy a long dinner or to take in the scenery around them. It has made me more aware of my surroundings and pay attention to what’s happening right now instead of what’s happening next.

The best class at FUA was... Religion and Women with Martina Ghiandelli because I really enjoyed all the places she took us for class. I liked how the class was very active and how she took us to see parts of Florence to learn the material.

Items checked off my Florence bucket list are... the Duomo, Piazzale Michelangelo, the Statue of David, the Medici Castle, and the Uffizi Gallery.

FLORENCE FALL 2015

USD University of San Diego

Brianna Lombardi Finance Ten years from now I will remember...

Walking twenty-five minutes to get Gusta Pizza and never regretting it. I will remember passing through all of the places in Florence that felt like home to me to get there. My favorite part was passing by Piazza della Repubblica, watching the carousel light up and listening to the Italian performers.

Finally, passing over the Ponte Vecchio and over looking the Arno river will also be part of the walk I will never forget.

Items checked off of my Florentine bucket list are... Watching the sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo, climbing to the top of the Duomo and visiting the leather markets.

My most memorable moment at FUA was...

Gathering in Santa Croce during one of my classes to watch the Pope give mass.

Although he was not really there, I could feel how much his mass was affecting the other Italians around me.

Ashley May B u s i n e s s A d m i n i s t ra t i o n Ten years from now I will remember...

All of the wonderful friendships I have made during my time here and all of the amazing places I have gotten to explore during my time abroad. I will remember getting lost in new places with my friends, learning new languages, meeting new people and will never forget all of the things being abroad has taught me.

I am grateful for this experience because... it has forced me to go way outside my comfort zone and experience new things.

I have become completely independent and gotten to be totally submersed in a new culture. From learning Italian to traveling to new places on the weekends, studying abroad has opened my eyes to other cultures and the world around me.

The best class and instructor at FUA was‌ History of the Italian Renaissance with Isabella Martini because she taught us things in the classroom, but also let us experience the history all around us in Florence.

My favorite Italian phrase is... Bouna giornata because it was what I heard every morning from my favorite caffè owner.

FLORENCE FALL 2015

USD University of San Diego

Danya Moodabagil International Relations Ten years from now I will remember...

How I felt my first day in Florence and the marked difference from then to now. At first, I was stepping into a new country, a new culture, and a new language.

After more than 3 months, though, I am pleasantly surprised by how comfortable I am here, and can be sure that in the future I will learn, in time, to adapt wherever I go.

Living abroad has taught me... What it means to grow up. Being abroad has given me a sense of humility from the shear wideness of the world. I have learned while living in Italy and traveling Europe that we never really stop learning from the places and people around us, and as much as we learn, there will always be more to experience.

My favorite Italian word is... “Prego”; a simple word that translates directly to “I pray”. This courteous word is used to say everything from “you’re welcome”, “how can I help you”, to “after you”.

Items checked off my Florence bucket list are... Late night gelato, long walks along the Arno, finding a secret bakery, trips into Chianti country, shopping for leather goods.

Aria Nisco Psychology Ten years from now I will remember…

The constant planning and spontaneity of being abroad and the thrill and exhaustion that comes with it. You learn a lot about not just the other cultures, but also about yourself when you’re thrown into an unfamiliar place and background. All the traveling bumps and lack in cultural knowledge taught me how to be resourceful and independent and patient and I think that is what I will remember ten years from now.

I am grateful to this experience because...

I now feel like a more competent and confident adult, with a greater knowledge of the world around me, and a less passively ethnocentric mindset.

There are so many different ways to live your life, and being abroad has opened my mind to the good and bad, the love and the suffering, being endured by others half way across the globe.

My favorite Italian phrase is…“Ah Allora...” I love the way it rings and I love what it means. “and so…” what is going to come next can be almost anything, but this phrase is so pleasant and warm to me.

My most memorable moment at FUA was… Must have been when I was walking home from class, and I realized I was comfortable. I walked into my regular café and ordered my cappuccino and glanced out the door, admiring what I finally could call my second home.

FLORENCE FALL 2015

USD University of San Diego

Carrington Novo Communications Major, Theatre Minor Ten years from now I will remember…

How much of a life changing experience this was. Living in Florence, emerged in a completely different culture has taught me so much about myself and others. I will also remember the overwhelming amount of peace I feel from this city and the people within it. Lastly, I will never forget the AMAZING food!

Living abroad has taught me… That I can do anything I set my mind to. I’ve traveled to multiple places on my own and have worked my way out of difficult, unavoidable situations. Living abroad

has also taught me to look at the bright side of things and push through hard times. I have learned to adapt to, learn from, and appreciate different cultures and different ways of life. I believe this is something everyone should experience so that we can learn from those different than us and continue to come together rather than step apart due to basic differences.

country is conversing with its people.

Even though my Italian is very poor, this class has helped me become emerged in Italian life and culture!

Items checked off my Florence bucket list are… Seeing the statue of David.

This was an absolutely unforgettable moment. I never thought i’d be in Italy observing this world renowned piece of art! Also Piazzale Michelangelo, the view My favorite class at FUA was…Italian was unbelievably beautiful, it’s a sight 101 because it helped me learn some of that I’ll never forget. the language that I’m surrounded by.

The best part of experiencing a new

Bridget Olsen B u s i nes s A d mi ni s t rat i o n Ten years from now I will remember...

How much I grew, and how much I learned – not only in classes, not only about other cultures, but about myself. I will remember a time that was simultaneously the happiest and saddest I have ever been. I will look back on this time and be grateful for how I experienced that the world is both broken and beautiful.

Living abroad has taught me... that there is something to learn from everyone you encounter. It has taught me that the best way to explore a city is by walking, and that the best way to get to know a culture is by talking and making friends with locals. Above all, living abroad has taught me the necessity of travel to expand your worldview.

The best class at FUA was... World Religions because I was able to gain an understanding and knowledge of religions other than Christianity.

My favorite Italian phrase is... “Bella la vita”. I saw it as graffiti near my street.

Life is truly good, especially in Florence.

FLORENCE FALL 2015

USD University of San Diego

Maria Rocio Ramirez Marketing and Psychology Ten years from now I will remember... the countless memories I made with my classmates, the amazing places I traveled to and the new friends that I made. Being abroad has allowed me to make new friends and travel to places that I never even dreamed of. I am so thankful for my family and friends for pushing me to do this and would recommend it to anyone.

I am grateful to this experience for/because‌it has allowed me to become more independent and sure in myself. A big fear that I had before going abroad was that of travel. I am not one who travels much and I knew that I was going to be traveling a lot abroad. To my surprise I found that I am great at reading a map and navigating a foreign city, language barrier and all.

Items checked off my Florence bucket list are‌that of seeing the Ponte Vecchio and the Duomo. These are two famous Florentine landmarks therefore a priority on my bucket list.

My favorite Italian word... Allora! This word is a little bit mysterious because there doesn’t seem to be an exact definition yet it is very common among Italian vocabularies.

Nina Raspo Business Economics Ten years from now... I will remember all of the amazing places I have seen and learned about while being abroad.

I will remember climbing to the top of the Duomo, swimming in the ocean off of Capri, standing on the edge of the Cliffs of Moher, watching the changing of the guards outside of Buckingham Palace and so many other things. I’ve experienced so many incredible things during my time abroad and I hope to remember them all.

Living abroad has... taught me so many things both about myself and the world.

I’ve learned how large and vast the world really is. I’ve also learned how important it is to travel and see new places and experience new cultures. Another big thing I’ve learned during my time abroad is how to be patient when things are different from what I’m used to. Being abroad has made me more aware of the world and my place in it.

The best instructor at FUA... is Simonetta Ferrini. She is so kind and is always encouraging us to travel and learn about the places we go. I have really enjoyed her Literature of the Grand Tour of Italy class.

Items checked off my Florence bucket list are... climbing to the top of the duomo, walking up to Piazzale Michelangelo, spending all of my money at the leather market, and trying gelato from countless places across the city.

FLORENCE FALL 2015

USD University of San Diego

Julie Rickert Marketing and Busine ss Administ ra tion In 10 years I will remember... What it was like to live with seven other girls in an apartment in Florence and have them become your close friends while making memories traveling across Europe. We all got along really well, and had no trouble entertaining each other every second of the day. Our quote wall is the reflection of our friendships and also the journeys we went on together.

Living abroad has taught me... That I am a very independent individual, and that I like to take action in my life. I learned how break through language barriers, plan trips, ride trains, get lost and find my way, adapt to changing cultures and know that at the end of the day I did almost everything on my own.

Items checked off my Florence bucket list...

Eat the perfect pizza, find the best gelato, purchase leather goods, try new foods, and be familiar with the entire city.

Most memorable moment at FUA was‌ Walking into class on the very first day I was shocked to find I was in a room full of pink, and that instead of desks there was only a large couch on each side of the room.

Abbey Solnet M ar k e t i n g a n d L e a d e r s h i p S t u d i e s Ten years from now I will remember...

Hiking Cinque Terre, the waterfalls in Croatia, making friends at Oktoberfest, riding a gondola in Venice, traveling solo to San Gimignano and throughout Tuscany, exploring Paris, Amsterdam, and Zurich for 9 days, the food in Belgium and the views in Austria. I will remember walking the streets of Florence every day, and above all, the moments spent with good friends.

Living abroad has taught me... To live in the moment. I love to plan and think about the future, but being abroad really helps me focus on the present. Traveling has taught me how to go with the flow, build connections with others, take risks, go on crazy adventures, and make the most out of every moment.

Items checked off my Florence bucket list are... Climbing Brunelleschi’s Dome, marveling at Michelangelo’s masterpiece il Davide, and discovering a secret bakery at 1:00am.

The best class at FUA was... Literature of the Grand Tour of Italy with Simonetta Ferrini. We read literature from people who traveled through Italy while reflecting on our own travels abroad.

FLORENCE FALL 2015

USD University of San Diego

Emma von Tscharner Theatre and Communications Major Ten years from now I will remember...

This incredible experience. Along with all the trips I was fortunate enough to take, I will remember just living in Florence.

I honestly can call it a home of mine. For four months, I was able to fully immerse myself in the culture, explore the city, see amazing churches and museums, and even befriended locals. I know that I will remember the feeling of being on my own, living in someplace new, and being surrounded by so much history, beauty, and culture.

I am grateful for this experience because... It gave me the opportunity to grow in so many ways that I did not think possible. I have made new friends, including some Italian locals! I have grown in my relationship with God, something that is the most valuable to me. I have seen His beauties everywhere I go and I know that this experience would not be possible if not for Him. I was nervous to live on my own in a country so far away, but I have grown in my relationship with myself. I have

become more independent, decisive, and appreciative of the world around me. The ability to see and experience so many things has truly changed me for the better and I will forever be grateful.

Zoryana Zaryckyj Communication Studies Ten years from now I will remember...

Looking down and seeing 11,000 feet of steep cliff below me, being terrified to my core. My godmother’s husband and I took the tram up to Zugspitze in Germany and then courageously climbed to the top of Germany using two ice picks. The day was magnificent, I felt like I was on top of the world.

A perfect day in Florence consists of...

Waking up around 9 am and coming into my kitchen, pouring fresh coffee grounds into our Italian coffee maker, making that wonderful coffee, pleasantly drinking it while enjoying some pesto and foccaia for breakfast. Then I would go to the British Museum right under the Uffizi on the water and sit and read my book for a long time. Then I would go say hello to Neptune right outside of the Uffizi. To end the night I would call my friend Danya and convince her to go get

dinner with me at Osteria Santa Spirito!

We would have the gnocchi tartufo and the muscle soup!

My favorite Italian phrase is... “Allora”.

It is the perfect transition word. It rolls off the tongue in the most unique way.

I picked up the habit of saying allora in Naples because the locals seemed to use it always and for everything. It’s the perfect, “everything is okay, the bad is in the past, lets move forward” transition word.

FLORENCE FALL 2015

University of San Diego FALL 2015 Stephanie Abreu Kristina Burns Blair Butler Tricia Chang Danielle Giulia Devine Danielle DeVries Marissa DiBiasio Shaina Edlin Lauren Egan Callen Falash Elisa Flores Alexa Grunder Eric Hanson Alyssa Icasiano Helene Johnsen Martha Kauls Kathryn Kelly Kayla Kimball Blake Koloseike Brianna Lombardi Ashley May Danya Moodabagil Aria Nisco Carrington Novo Bridget Olsen Maria Rocio Ramirez Nina Raspo Julie Rickert Abbey Solnet Emma von Tscharner Zoryana Zaryckyj

CREDITS Photo Credit: USD Students Fall 2015 Production Coordinator: Jessica Volpe

University of San Diego Fa ll 2015 Fall 2 01 5

A very special thanks to all USD students for participating and submitting materials for the project!