Just the Beginning...

Today marks the end of my first official weekend Italy! After the first couple of days of orientation, we were given a free weekend to do whatever we desired. Luckily my program, CIEE Ferrara, did well in preparing us to embark on our own adventures.

During orientation, we met our host families, were given the program rules and schedule, tips on traveling around Italy/Europe and took a self-guided tour of the picturesque city with a fun scavenger hunt. We were also treated to fabulous dinners which showcased some of Ferrara's signature dishes, such as cappellacci di zucca (sweet pumpkin tortellini), salame (a kind of salami), and coppia ferrarese (a typical Ferrarian bread).

All in all, we were kept busy with new information for the first three days. However we were still given enough time to truly explore and appreciate our surroundings. On Saturday a couple of friends and I went went shopping in the center of town, which is conveniently close to my homestay family's apartment, allowing me quick access to a mass variety of shops. There are a lot of clothing stores and restaurants, but the bigger surprise was the beautiful McDonalds next to the ancient cathedral. I haven't tried it yet, but if the cheesecake and donut display is any indication, it has a lot to offer a homesick American.

Today, Sunday, we took another tour of the city, however this time we focused on its big and beautiful gardens. We paid an organization for a ticket and a map which had the locations of various houses within Ferrara. When we reached the labeled place, we would flash our ticket and be granted entry into the garden of a Ferrarian resident who would proudly answer any question we had about their plants. During the tour we saw more of the classic but renewed architecture that has become ingrained in the Italian aesthetic. Crumbling stairs and buildings were covered in beautiful ivy vines, while old fountains were given new life after being filled with soil and colorful flowers. The tour went pretty well except for when I fell on top of a cactus and got dozens of little spines stuck in my leg. Luckily the cactus survived, but I've still got the little red marks of where the spines were plucked out.

Everyday so far I return to my homestay for a family dinner, with two parents, their 13 year old daughter and 11 year old son. While eating they explain Italian language and culture while I confirm or deny American stereotypes that are perpetuated within our media. This
comical cultural exchange creates a homely atmosphere that has quelled any homesickness that I might have had otherwise.

Tomorrow marks the beginning of our Intensive Italian classes, which is exciting because we're finally going to be taking steps in improving our language skills. Soon I will be able to order my own delicious meals in Italian!

The Countdown Begins....

Only a couple more hours until I leave for Italy!

Am I nervous? Well, at this point I've been so focused on making sure that I have all the necessary materials for going to a foreign country that I haven't even had time to panic about the fact that I am, indeed, going to a foreign country. A large, foreign country where I will only have a rough idea of the language and live in a stranger's house while I try to immerse myself in a completely different culture.

Ok, so maybe I'm panicking a little bit, but at the end of the day, I know that I'm due for an unforgettable adventure, and that I must remain open minded and positive throughout every new experience.

The best way to maintain a positive demeanor through it all? Making sure that you are prepared to undertake everyday life while exploring your new surroundings, which means packing enough clothing and other essentials to uphold a busy lifestyle without a hitch.

Now this can often result in over-packing which can lead to extra airline fees, so it is very important to make a list beforehand so that you get a rough idea of what you need. Luckily my program provided all of its students with a helpful handbook and packing list to give us an idea of what we would need to bring and what we would be able to get over there.

Making a list also helps you remember to pack your passport, visa, other necessary documents and their copies that you will need to enter the country. Keeping these things together in a folder will make your life much easier when you have to pass through customs.

Looking up the weather forecast for your stay in your respective country is also a good indicator of what would be beneficial to bring. When looking up the weather in Ferrara, Italy, I found out that it will gradually change from mid 80s to low 40s throughout the time that I will be there, meaning that I needed to bring multi-seasonal clothing choices along with my winter coat and several jackets,

This leads us to another packing tip: Travel Space Bags. These handy dandy bags helped flatten my winter coat, jacket, sweaters and pants so that I could fit more clothes in my suitcases without over-stuffing them (aka helping to keep my bags within the necessary dimensions). They also help to keep everything organized within the suitcase to make unpacking easier when you get there.

Pause...
When I get there..
I'm going to be there.
I am going to Italy in a couple of hours guys!!!

Wish me luck!!