Ciao from Italy! As I sit down to reflect on my experiences of the first week studying abroad in this beautiful country, I find myself immersed in a whirlwind of new sights, sounds, and flavors. Having never ventured beyond the borders of Nevada or California, let alone the United States, the cultural differences have been both exhilarating and eye-opening. Join me on this journey as I navigate the charming streets of Italy, discovering the nuances that make this country a cultural kaleidoscope.

Arrival and First Impressions:

As I stepped off the plane into the warm embrace of Italy, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of excitement and slight jet lag – a small price to pay for the adventure ahead. The warm breeze and fresh air whispered promises of new beginnings, and I was eager to dive into the unknown.

The rhythm of life here is like a carefully composed melody, slower and more deliberate than what I’m used to back home. The streets are alive with the hum of Vespas and the laughter of people sipping espresso at quaint cafes.

My program allowed students to choose between finding their own transportation to Torino or taking a group flight. Those who chose the group flight option met in Germany before the last stretch of our journey to Torino. At the airport in Germany, we were given our roommate assignments and class schedules. It definitely was intimidating meeting four new people, that I would have to live with for the next four months! Although very nervous, I was super excited to get to know each of them and start building those friendships.

We followed a strict schedule for the next couple of days so to allow for a smooth transition to the Italian lifestyle, but still had free time to roam around and explore our new city. It was such a shock to see how many people walk. In the United States, I was used to seeing a few people walking around, here and there, but here in Torino, 90% of people walk or ride the tram/bus/metro. As refreshing as this was, it was a lot to take in at first. Because of the amount of people walking or standing in walkways, you have to do a lot of maneuvering around other civilians. Another thing that took some time to get used to was the staring. Initially, my roommates and I thought of it as rude and uncomfortable but as time went on (and the program provided us with Italian culture presentations) we learned that the staring was done out of curiosity. There aren’t many people here that look like we do, talk like we do, or act like we do. We learned to accept it and barely notice it anymore.

Language Adventures:

While I had practiced a few basic Italian phrases, nothing quite prepared me for the rapid-fire conversations I encountered. As Torino is not as big of a tourist destination as Rome or Venice, only 29% of the population speaks English. Imagine walking to the grocery store on your first week, in an entirely new country, where you don’t know the language, and everything is in Italian! It was intimidating, to say the least, but we rolled with it. We learned that to survive here we’d have to do our best to learn the language, and as long as we actually made an effort to communicate in Italian, we were able to have successful conversations.

THE FOOD:

Now, don’t get me wrong, I had high hopes for Italian cuisine, (and when I say high hopes, I’m talking HUGE! My favorite food is spaghetti, so I just KNEW I was about to enjoy the cuisine) but my taste buds just weren’t having it. When we made it to Torino, we had a program-sponsored dinner at a local pizzeria, which included salad, pizza, and gelato. As this was my first time trying real, authentic Italian food, I was ecstatic. To say the least, it was not a great experience. I chalked it up as a miss but haven’t given up on Italian cuisine just yet! I’m still searching for that dish that’s going to make me do my happy dance.

Cultural Quirks:

Italy has its own set of cultural nuances that add a unique charm to daily life. I quickly learned that midday siestas are big here in Italy. Shops will close for a few hours during the day so that the workers can have their lunch and run errands. This was a shock as the work-life balance in the United States isn’t the best. The emphasis on family and community is palpable, and it’s heartening to witness how important these connections are in Italian culture.

Navigating Transportation:

Public transportation, a lifeline in many European cities, in Torino consists of trams (buses on rails), buses, and the metro train station. It was the first time I’d ever rode a train, so I was surprised at how easy it was. The buses get packed, really quickly, and rarely run on time so I’ve learned to use that form of transportation as the last option. Luckily, my apartment is only a 5-minute walk from campus so I don’t have to worry too much about public transportation unless I’m exploring the city.

Reflections on Week One:

As the first week came to a close, I found myself reflecting on the kaleidoscope of experiences that shaped my initial days in Italy. The challenges of adapting to a new culture are outweighed by the thrill of exploration and the warmth of the people I’ve encountered. Studying abroad is not just about academics; it’s a holistic education in life, and Italy is proving to be the perfect classroom.

Conclusion:

Ciao Italia, you’ve stolen a piece of my heart in just one short week. As I eagerly anticipate the adventures that lie ahead, I am grateful for the cultural differences that make this experience so enriching. Here’s to embracing the unknown, one gelato cone at a time.