Firenze, Italia

I arrived in beautiful Firenze (Florence), Italy on January 7, 2009. I had orientation for the first three days, a free day on Sunday, and began my classes on Monday. I am attending the Institute at Palazzo Rucellai, which is an International school that teaches American students, in the heart of Florence. I live only a 5 minute walk from the Institute, so walking to class takes no time at all!

God is SO good!! I have four roommates who I have become good friends with: Melissa, Catherine, Lauren, and Sara. They (as well as the majority of all of the other students here) are from the East Coast (Penn State, UCONN, Roger Williams…they all seem to have come in groups through similar universities). My classmates are very friendly and accepting, making it fairly painless to be in classes with them. ; ) I love my roommates! We are able to relate to one another on so many different levels, and we all have the mindset of being here to learn, study, and experience Florentine culture. It is amazing how encouraging it is to be living with such kind people. Who you live with for a semester has a profound effect on your experience – and I have been SOSOSO blessed by having these four girls as my roommates!! God PROVIDES!!!

One surprising blessing that I received was having my own room. This may seem nonessential, but having privacy is HUGE!! In our apartment we have three bedrooms: one single and two doubles. The first night, once everyone arrived, we ‘drew straws’ so to speak, and, obviously, I drew the single. I really didn’t care, but now as time has progressed, I have seen countless blessings flow from having this privacy.

Being in Italy has been quite an adjustment thus far: culture, food, living, school, language, sleep…but it is SO wonderful!! Truly a beautiful city! Everything is breathtaking: the architecture, the food, the people, the language, the landscape, the way that Italians converse with one another. I am in AWE!! I have had the opportunity to traverse Florence with my roommates on various occasions, and it is a surprisingly small city. I am excited to go on excursions (offered through the Institute as well as in my courses) and see museums and the rural countryside of Tuscany!

The courses I am taking are as follows:
- Beginning Oil Painting
- The Art of Buon Fresco
- Michelangelo to Bernini
- The Florence Experience 1: Beginning Italian

I have had all of my classes and I really like them. I am excited to learn and be challenged—and I certainly will be in many ways!

This Saturday I am going on an Institute organized trip to Pisa and Luca—two well-known cities a coupe of hours on the outskirts of Florence. I am So excited!

I have posted some pictures of my time in Florence, thus far. Check them out through my Shutterfly link!

I hope all is well with everyone!! Stay warm –it is a bit chilly here too ; )

C1ao!

Mollie