Home Sweet Home

So I've been home now for three days and it's lovely. Well, except for the fact that I have a cold, but that was inevitable since I always get sick at Christmas. The trip home was very long, especially since both my flights were delayed. Never-the-less I made it to Logan and was greeted by my parents and my puppy!
One of the first differences I noticed about home is how weird dollars look. I had gotten so use to euros that I almost didn't recognize them. I'm so happy to be home surrounded by family especially for the holidays, but I'm also glad for the last three months I had in Europe where I discovered so much about myself.
It's weird being home, I know I've been gone for a decent amount of time, but it feels like I never left, because everything is the same. The hardest thing to readjust to so far is the time difference, I keep waking up really early.
Studying abroad is definitely a trying experience, but it is worth it. I would recommend it to everyone. It truly makes you appreciate all you have even more and you meet some amazing people along the way.
Now hopefully for me I will find a job.

Woo I graduated :)

Comparison

Saci v. NEU

Pros:
Teachers: in the sense that are truly skilled and go above and beyond (for the most part) to help you with anything

Responsibility: I feel I was given more responsibility here and trusted to do tasks. For instance in photography we actually work with the chemicals and perform the whole process ourselves. Everything is hands-on instead of like at northeastern where usually everything is lecture.

Cons:

Time: Building hours and facilities need to be worked on. Having a building open till 7 during finals week is very annoying since you need the materials and computers.

Structure: There was a lack of schedule and order in some things

offerings: need to offer more student activities!

Tips

Restaurants:

Grom – gelato

Spera – pizza

Da Mimmo – great lasagna

Osteria di olio

Quattro de leoni

Places in Italy to Visit:

Normal touristy places like to see the David

Piazza Michelangelo – panoramic view of the city

Cinque Terre – great hike and swimming

Chianti – enjoy some wine

Amalfi – one day ill get here when the blue grotto is open

Other Places to visit:

Paris – amazing city, feels like home with so much to do and see. Don’t miss
Versailles if you go here!

Austria – It is so beautiful definitely go to Salzburg it is a charming city with delicious pretzels. Vienna is more of a modern city but visit Schronbrunn here.

Switzerland – so beautiful the Alps are breathtaking. Go to the top of Europe, visit a Christmas market and ski

Reflections

I’ve met so many amazing people here, who not only helped me get through the semester but also taught me so many things. I will miss everyone so much including some of my teachers who were just amazing and inspirational. Saci is an acquired taste. It is an amazing school, but it’s not for everyone. I would recommend it only if you are truly in to art. While, you will get a great study abroad experience and make great friends for students from a liberal arts background it’s a very different school system. Most of the teachers are truly leaders in their field however they’ve never taught before. From someone coming from a school where time is strictly adhered to it was nearly impossible to get use to classes starting always at a different time. Also, I was sad they different offer us more. There were no clubs or student groups, something that’s second nature in the U.S. and I felt those would have been a great way to meet people and learn more about the city. However, I regret nothing and would do it again in a heartbeat.

My Last Day

It’s my last week in Florence; it doesn’t seem real. I feel like just yesterday I stepped off the plane with an abundance of enthusiasm ready to take on the world; or at least Italy. Now, I’m stepping back on a plane but this time I’m filled with memories, excitement for home and a new found sense of self. As much as I was looking forward to this day now I’m feeling a slight sadness, goodbyes are so hard. The beginning of the term was rough and seemed endless. Several setbacks and let downs marked this time. But midterm break was a changing point. Everything began to click and time just seemed to fly. As I’m sitting here writing this in my apartment I look around my now mostly empty room; my bags are packed and at attention and the bare room seems depressing. I just keep thinking it can’t be over, I can’t be going home, I couldn’t have just finished college. But good or bad it’s reality. Tomorrow night it’ll be all over, so I’m going to go out and take my last sips of Florence. A stroll down the river, a last gelato and a gift from the market and it will all be complete.

Finals

Finals week is very stressful. At this point in the semester I’m all out of creativity, but that doesn’t fly at an art school. All of a sudden there’s a mad rush of students using the labs and darkrooms trying to create masterpieces. I hate to say it but I miss a good old-fashioned final; I’d take a test any day over this. It’s very irritating trying to finish projects when the buildings are open only at certain times, and usually when I have another class.

The finals themselves are so different. You have a critique where you present your work to one or two teachers who ask you questions and rate your finished product. For someone with no artistic ability it is very daunting.

Thanksgiving

It’s very strange to be away for a major holiday, especially when that country doesn’t celebrate it. At home it would be a shortened week and everybody would make the trek back to their hometowns. Here we had to negotiate with our teacher to get out of class and take a trip to Siena, where we enjoyed a delicious meal of pasta, which just isn’t the same. No turkey, no pie, no football and no White Christmas viewing, this just wasn’t Thanksgiving. But I made it through the day with the comforting knowledge that I’d be home in two weeks and can have a T-giving redo, black Friday and all.

Parental Invasion

When I was getting ready to study abroad my parents made plans to come visit at the end of November. At the time it seemed such a distant event, I couldn’t believe it was finally here. While the visit was short and made me very anxious to go home, I was still glad to see them. We spent the days touring the countryside, with visits to Siena and San Gimignano, where sadly the world’s best gelateria was closed, and strolling the streets of Florence. We visited all the museums and sites, like the David, that I hadn’t had time to see before. It ended much too quickly, but soon enough I’ll be home.

A Hunting We Will Go

Going along with my last post, I’ve felt compelled to begin the job search in the hope of starting a career. However, this seems an impossible endeavor. Jobs are scarce and ones for recent graduates are virtually non-existent. It’s funny, all your life you are told go to college so you can get a good job, but now that I’m in the final stretch I realize that it’s a lie. The few nibbles I’ve had swam away when they found out I’m abroad and can’t do an in person interview. Oh well, if at first you don’t succeed try and try again, and enjoy some vino along the way.

Clearly Not Cleared

The future always is so far away until it smacks you in the face. I’m graduating in December, one month away. This fact became all to real yesterday when I filled out my graduation form for Northeastern. Excited at first I began answering the normal questions with vigor, but as the process progressed I began to slow down as the realization of what was happening hit me. Graduation. It always seemed so far away, like an intangible activity that wouldn’t ever really occur. While I am excited by the prospect of finally entering the real world I am also terrified. I’ve been a student for my entire life and I’m not sure how to stop. This semester has been even harder since I haven’t been home. I’ve missed being around people who are in the same situation as me, applying hopelessly for jobs, and also missed the senior activities that are a rite of passage. However, this semester has also helped me to grow. I’ve learned a lot about myself and have learned to stand on my own two feet. Not one to let things pass me by I’ve found other seniors and we are reminiscing and commiserating together and planning our own fun. So with new hopes in my head I finally submitted my cap and gown order and have come to terms with the inevitable, we all have to graduate one day and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for me now.

Fall Break

It seems like so long ago that I sat down and booked fall break. A concept that I was very excited for seeing as we don’t have it back home. What could be better than a full week off from classes to relax and travel. Of course even the best laid plans go awry, which came in the form of our flight being cancelled due to transportation strikes in Italy, two days before we were suppose to leave. A planned strike like this was not something I was use to or expecting. It’s one of those things you learn to take as they come and say that’s Italy for you. However, at the time I was very upset by the whole affair and couldn’t figure out why the school hadn’t warned us earlier of the planned strike, which seems to be common here. A few weeks ago I could hear drums and protestors down the street, shouting over some other offense. Anyhow after several hours of frustration I managed to book another flight, which was more expensive, out of Pisa, which was more inconvenient. Now I had to take a private bus from Florence to Pisa because the trains and busses were also on strike. What a way to start a vacation. But, at least this was the extent of my bad luck and the rest of the trip went smoothly.

Barcelona

From the warm weather, to the beautiful beaches and lively scene Barcelona was the place to be. Deciding the best way to reacquaint myself with the city was by bus; I leapt on to the hop on hop off bus and set off on a whirlwind tour. As I sped down the streets past the high rises and out to the seaside déjà vu hit me full on as I had a moment’s panic attack that I had ended up in the wrong city. Barcelona definitely reminded me of Miami, which endeared it to me even more. The first sight I had to see was the only place I recalled from my last visit here nine years ago, the Sagrada Familia. The famous church designed by the infamous Gaudi was just as I remembered it, under construction. As I walked through the interior I marveled over the massiveness of the structure and the intricate design. Shortly after this my tour continued with a leisurely stroll through Parc Guell, which boasted fabulous views and eclectic music. The final stop for the day was Mt. Tibidabo, an amusement park high above the city where I watched the sunset on a perfect first day. Of course nothings perfect and this fully hit home with the mad dash down the mountain to catch the last bus back to the city, luckily I made it. The next few days were filled with visits to famous museums, Picasso anyone, and strolls around this beautiful city.

Having had my fill of delectable sangrias and tapas I was glad to be heading to Paris, even if our flight was at six in the morning. Arriving groggy yet excited I met the day head on. Our apartment was located a stones through from Notre Dame in the lively students section, I could almost hear the people sing. Two of my favorite stories of all time take place in Paris and neither of them are real. But that’s the thing about Paris it makes the unbelievable seem possible. So, much to my dismay there are no tours of the underground of the Opera Garnier to search for the lair of the Phantom and while you can visit the Egouts (sewers) and follow in Jean Valjean’s footsteps I decided to stay in nicer smelling areas, with the exception of the occasional subway ride. This trip marked one of the first vacations where I broke the “no castles” rule. I went on my own to visit Versailles and it was worth it. While the exterior of the Palace was definitely outshined by Catherine’s Palace the opulence and elegance of the interior and gardens were incomparable. Walking for miles you don’t even realize it because you are too captivated by your surroundings, which this time of year had an eerie beauty, since all the flowers were dead and the trees were falling from the trees. Chilly, the sun played peek-a-boo all day, teasing me as I wandered the maze of pathways. A delightful day, ended with a conversation with a local gentleman of the area who gave me even more information on the gardens. He and is friend had actually just finished a book that is about to be published on the hidden mysteries on the gardens, something I’m looking forward to reading.
Some other highlights of the trip were of course visiting the Eiffel tower, the Louvre and the musee d’Orsay. However, another side trip I took was out to Giverny (pronounced jiv) to see Monet’s house and famous gardens. Only an hour or so outside of Paris this is well worth the visit. The gardens, even in their final days of being open, are beautiful and you can see why the artist was so inspired by his surroundings. The lily pads gracing the water and the trees solemnly standing guard over the pond had everyone oohing and ahhing.

All in all fall break was an amazing event. Not only did I get to explore some wonderful places but I also discovered how independent I can be. On several occasions I struck out on my own and managed to navigate unfamiliar streets and transportation routes and have experiences of a lifetime.

Edelweiss

Austria just may be my favorite country; it’s definitely in the top five. I actually visited here in August and loved it so much that I made sure this semester I had time to go back; and it didn’t disappoint. A whirlwind weekend, the trip again was just a tease. An eight-hour bus ride took us from Florence to Salzburg. Along the way in the early hours of the morning I awoke in time to witness the snow dotted valleys and majestic peaks that make this a lovely region. Fall was in the air here, it was much colder and the leaves were changing or already gone. I spent the morning waltzing through historic Salzburg and exploring the fort, which offered amazing views of the area and some delicious lunch. Then in the afternoon I took the Sound of Music Tour. For the next 4 hours I flitted around getting glimpses and photos of some of the most memorable places from the film like the lake and the gazebo. Sadly I couldn’t go in and prance across the benches, tourists are no longer allowed inside since an eighty-year-old lady broke her hip doing just that. Our guide was amazing. His knowledge, humor and impressions had the whole bus rocking with laughter. That night I sipped delicious hot chocolate on the roof deck of the Stein Hotel that offers a sweeping panorama of the river. I didn’t want to ever leave, but the next morning we headed off for Vienna. Here I walked in to town and at the palace took a enchanting carriage ride of the city. That night after wandering for what seemed like forever we stopped for dinner at an American diner, owned by Austrians and had a delicious meal while getting tips from the locals. The next morning, our final day in Austria, we had only two hours to visit Schonbrunn Palace. This was not nearly enough time for these magnificent gardens. We had just enough time for a trek through the maze and to the top of the hill and already it was time to go. Again I didn’t have nearly enough time in this amazing country, I’m hoping to go back and next time it will be for more than a weekend.

Amalfi

No matter how many times one visits the Amalfi Coast it never loses its beauty. I’ve been here several times before, but this was the first time I had an entire day in each town. Our first stop was the small town of Positano. Normally thriving with tourists, who flock to the beaches, it was deserted on this cloudy day. However, this only added a unique loveliness to the area. I feel on this visit the true Positano was able to shine through, without being suffocated by the usual crowds. After exploring the beaches and caves we headed back to Sorrento for some shopping. I managed to buy a nice leather bag, from the store we’ve stopped at now each time we’ve visited. The next morning we left bright and early for Capri. As soon as we arrived we hopped on board a tour boat and were escorted around the island. Sadly, it was too choppy, as usual, so we were unable to go see the elusive blue grotto. Undeterred we spent the rest of the day exploring the island. After doing the usual tour of Capri and the gardens we went down to the beach and had a delicious seafood lunch. After this we skipped out on the sun bathing and headed to Ana Capri. Here we boarded a chairlift that took us to the highest point on the island. It was amazing and something I would recommend doing. The ride to the top was so peaceful surrounded by nature and views of the ocean you didn’t want to ever reach the top. Finally, on our last day we visited Pompeii. It was still beautiful, but I was disappointed in how crowded and touristy it had become. You could barely move without bumping in to another group and they’ve even built a cafeteria inside the city. However, it was still fascinating to see. Even though this was my fourth time visiting I still need to go back, one of these days I have to get into that grotto!

Happy Fall & One Month Anniversary

After two fast paced weekends I was excited to stay in Florence and just amble along the cobbled streets. It’s fall now, my favorite season, but it doesn’t feel like it. In New England by now the leaves would be shimmering with their oranges and reds, pumpkins would be everywhere and the air would be crisp and full of the threat of winter. Here, its still in the eighties and the trees just seem to shrivel without a final show of resistance. Everyone is beginning to feel the differences between here and home, in my photo class we had a ten minute discussion on how we’d all love a Dunkin Donuts or a Starbucks right now and how we are beginning to miss the little things. The differences really hit home when we lost power because of too many appliances being used. But putting all that aside Florence has its own charm. You can’t help but appreciate the fine architecture and the proud piazzas any time you walk down the street. I mean where else could you stumble upon a two day wine festival. So to help forget our electrical problems we happily purchased a wine glass and spent the afternoon strolling from piazza to piazza sampling the local wines and conversing with the owners. To end the evening we celebrated our one-month anniversary abroad with apertivo. For 8 euro we sipped on Bellini’s and had access to an unlimited buffet of delectable pizzas, home made pastas and freshly made tuna, to name a few things. So even though there are times when I really miss home I wouldn’t change places with anyone.

French Riviera

Not feeling well and rain still couldn’t dampen the beauty of the French Riviera. A weekend was not enough time to explore the medieval cliff towns and sandy beaches that seem to fill this entire region. Only a five-hour bus ride from Florence, it felt like a different world. This was the first overnight trip I had taken with one of the numerous student tour groups that seem to thrive here. All in all they are a good option if you want someone else to do all the planning and if you want the cheapest rates. However, some words of advice they are not very organized and the majority of the attendees are more interested in the nightly activities then any of the cultural wonders that abound in the region. That being said, like anything in life, this trip was what you made of it. And we made it work, even if the room we stayed in also housed a few slugs.

The weekend was filled with drama, history and excitement. Each stop offered something new and unexpected. Eze was filled with drama. While here the rest of the group decided to take an impromptu tour of the perfume factory, without telling us. Imagine the fun we had running around in the rain searching for our bus, or a familiar face, to be confronted by the horror of being left behind. However, being the resourceful creatures we are, we decided to have a late brunch and wait for the next local bus to Monaco. After enjoying some delicious quiche and tea we stumbled upon our group and rejoined the tour. In Monaco we toured the palace, drove by the casino and then spent a delicious afternoon sipping cocoa and sampling chocolates. Finally, we paused in Cannes. Excited but tired I happily stood on the steps where the famous film festival airs and put my hands in the prints of several stars. It was a wonderful way to spend a weekend.