On the LAST day left abroading, Europe gave to me...
#17- GELATO #16- ABROAD SONGS #15- PERSISTENT HAWKERS #14- ITALIAN WEATHER #13- ABROAD CONSTANTS #12- #STUDYABROADPROBLEMS #11- OLD STOVE PORCELLINO #10- 3,991 MILES #9- PARIS, FRANCE
#8- APPRECIATION OF WHAT'S TO COME
#7- MEETING UP WITH ABROAD FRIENDS
#6- BEING COMPLETELY SINGLE
#5- BAD TRAVEL KARMA
#4- CHIARA
#3- MY CLASSES
#2- FIRENZE FRIENDS
#1- THE DUOMO
Sort of anti-climactic but whatevs it's the damn truth. Florence would mean NOTHING without the Duomo. It is the North Star of the city that helped me survive those first few weeks of being directionally challenged. It is a true wonder with size and how it stand the test of time. Climbing it was one of my favorite things that I got to do here. I'll expand on this post when I arrive back in AMERICA. Still have a little last minute packing to do... typical me.
It's true love.
Last sight of the Duomo.
Giant buildings I got to pass by multiple times on a daily basis I will truly miss this.
more like just Europe, but I was thinking of all of the incredible places I have had the privilege of seeing while I am abroad, and one who's always down for ranking things I thought I'd recap my travels in order of favoritism.
PLACES I HAVE BEEN WHILE ABROAD Florence Pisa Lucca Paris Cinque Terre Perugia London Galway Aran Islands Cliffs of Moher Connemara Cork/Blarney San Gimignano Castello di Verrazzano Wine Tasting Prato Venice Cannes/Nice Rome
IN ORDER OF FAVORITES 18. Prato 17. San Gimignano 16. Connemara 15. Perugia 14. Pisa 13. Cork/Blarney 12. Castello di Verrazzano Wine Tasting 11. Aran Islands 10. Lucca 9. Galway 8. Cannes/Nice 7. Venice 6. Rome 5. London 4. Cinque Terre 3. Cliffs of Moher 2. Paris 1. Florence
Never thought I'd have Firenze at the top, but it was good I came to Florence. It pushed me into growing so much more as a person that I could have ever imagined. I walked around the city yesterday and today (and will continue to while I am still here) and just took it all in as much as I possible could.
On the 2nd day left abroading, Europe gave to me...
#17- GELATO #16- ABROAD SONGS #15- PERSISTENT HAWKERS #14- ITALIAN WEATHER #13- ABROAD CONSTANTS #12- #STUDYABROADPROBLEMS #11- OLD STOVE PORCELLINO #10- 3,991 MILES #9- PARIS, FRANCE
#8- APPRECIATION OF WHAT'S TO COME
#7- MEETING UP WITH ABROAD FRIENDS
#6- BEING COMPLETELY SINGLE
#5- BAD TRAVEL KARMA
#4- CHIARA
#3- MY CLASSES
#2- FIRENZE FRIENDS
This experience would be nothing without the friends that made those unforgettable life changing moments while abroad. I came over with a few good friends, but I made friendships with some amazing people and who I had never known before coming here and I wonder if I would have ever become friends with them at Stonehill if they did not study abroad here too... probably not which I think is a pretty cool thing. Whether is was the San Gallo girls that I was already friends with or Jess who I didn't know at all until I came here (and she is one of the NICEST and FUNNIEST person I have ever met no doubt), or Kat being utterly ridiculous in our art class or outside it, whether it was anyone who came to join in Tijuana Thursdays, Keefer being Keefer (like going to Rome without anything... only he would), or Katie and Jade who I CANNOT WAIT to hangout with back at Stonehill cause I know the good times will only continue there. Overall I can't even remember how many times I died laughing at the ridiculous abroad stuff that has happened to us all. Abroad life is unreal and I am glad I have so many friends to share my experiences with and laugh about all the memories we had for years to come.
HIGHLIGHTS (just the first several that come to mind) -Katie bitching some rando Italian out in Red Garter on Halloween, "WHERE THE HELL ARE MY EARS!?" -Courtney shattering her wine bottle that she just bought and making it rain wine -Anytime Katie was in a photo, she needed to be on her good side haha -Jade being the mapquest of Florence -Kat and Alex during the Yankee swap -The pub crawl night where we got COMPLETELY lost in Florence til 3 am and it was a hot mess of a night, but now have a great anecdote out of it -Lengel.. guys its actually leaning! -Pretty much anytime we went to Old Stove Porcellino, Club 21 (the night Katie/Jade/Melissa and I went was a major highlight with the drunk Spaniards and the super biddie), Twice or any of the other random places we went out to -Courtney kicking her leg up and clapping underneath her legs as if no one was going to notice -Anytime we were traveling and Ali and I were the Amazring Race duo leading the group -All the free GSE dinners in the places we travelled to -THE HORRIBLE WALKING TOURS -Any interaction we had with Antonio at the Old Stove Porcellino -Standing in front of the Leaning Tower of Pisa...what should we do.... LETS JUMP! -Anytime it required me to say "This is not real life"
Just to name a few, regardless Firenze would mean nothing if I didn't have such amazing people to share it with
Thursday, December 15, 2011
On the 3rd day left abroading, Europe gave to me...
#17- GELATO #16- ABROAD SONGS #15- PERSISTENT HAWKERS #14- ITALIAN WEATHER #13- ABROAD CONSTANTS #12- #STUDYABROADPROBLEMS #11- OLD STOVE PORCELLINO #10- 3,991 MILES #9- PARIS, FRANCE
#8- APPRECIATION OF WHAT'S TO COME
#7- MEETING UP WITH ABROAD FRIENDS
#6- BEING COMPLETELY SINGLE
#5- BAD TRAVEL KARMA
#4- CHIARA
#3- MY CLASSES
If I did not have the classes I had here in Florence I do not know how I would have made it the first few weeks. I genuinely loved most if not all of my classes this semester. Definitely could not have got any of them back at Stonehill which was a main reason for me decided to studying in Italy.
Every class was different and great in their own right. Italian would have SUCKED if I did not have crazy Daniele as a professor. He told us to friend him on facebook and then proceeded to give us all his phone number and told us to meet him at Old Stove Duomo later last night. He's insane and made that class so much fun despite the fact I cannot stand the Italian language and find it utterly useless, even "needing" it in Firenze. My art class (token male) was a little ridiculous with the nude models but it pushed me artistically throughout the semester. I hate portraits and drawing people, I'm not particularly good at it (give me a still life anyday) but I think I got better. My graphics class (token male) was sort of a joke but with the two visits and getting some serious insight to "the creative process" was nice. My art history (token male) class was definitely my hardest class but the fact we went to a church almost every other week as a visit made the class so much more interesting and fun. I would have never gone to those places if it was not for that class and I got to see some really cool art/architecture/etc. Of course I don't need to talk anymore about how much my business psychology class made a massive impact on me and my professor for that class was incredible and unlike any professor I have ever had or think I ever will have again. It was a perfect class for where I am in my life right now and how I want to continue it.
Even with the 96 step trek to the top of Strozzi all my classes were well worth the experiences and last minute cramming. Were classes abroad a joke where I didn't even have to do half the work I do back home? Yes, but that's sort of the point of studying abroad. My priorities were not with my classes but that doesn't mean they still didn't push me and give me more experience. Though my motivation for classes is shot and it's going to be a roughhhhh next semester (especially with publication design and 3 business classes... thank god (the one i don't believe in) that I at least have a "fun" class AIDS & emerging infections with a few of my friends).
On the 4th day left abroading, Europe gave to me... (okay it's a day late but I was studying for finals)
#17- GELATO #16- ABROAD SONGS #15- PERSISTENT HAWKERS #14- ITALIAN WEATHER #13- ABROAD CONSTANTS #12- #STUDYABROADPROBLEMS #11- OLD STOVE PORCELLINO #10- 3,991 MILES #9- PARIS, FRANCE
#8- APPRECIATION OF WHAT'S TO COME
#7- MEETING UP WITH ABROAD FRIENDS
#6- BEING COMPLETELY SINGLE
#5- BAD TRAVEL KARMA
#4- CHIARA
So I've obviously talked about my amazing GSE program advisor Chiara here before. To be honest, I was pisssssed that Stonehill switched away from API (a proven good program that I had already pretty much filled out half the application for) during last winter break, and typical #stonehillproblems the office of international programing (student ambassador vernacular whattup) doesn't tell us this until it's no longer convenient. Same school abroad, different program. For starters I was pissed that I was going to be among the guinea pigs to test out this new program, which clearly was only because it must be cheaper considering Florence has the highest number of Stonehill students studying abroad than any other destination.
So when I find out that legitimately half of the program is Stonehill students (who mind you Stonehill made sure we were all housed together....pissed bout that too) I was less than excited. I would have hated GSE if it was not for Chiara and Martina (the other advisor that goes on all our our excursions with us). They are uber helpful and Chiara is the sweetest little thing. She was always so happy and checking in with us constantly, and if something was wrong or not going perfectly she'd apologize when it never even was her fault. Her humor and knowledge was the most appreciated and without out her I know I would have been lost. Not to mention the fact that she made sure the excursions with the program were amazing, which they were, well aside from all the walking tours.... soooo many walking tours and bad tour guides.
UPDATE: just posted by Chiara on the GSE Florence page, it's precious: "Ciao a tutti! I can not believe that it is almost time for you to go :( if some of you are free tomorrow for dinner, I would love to meet up, we can just go for a pizza, nothing fancy, it would be just nice to spend some time together!"
On the 5th day left abroading, Europe gave to me... (okay it's a day late but I was studying for finals)
#17- GELATO #16- ABROAD SONGS #15- PERSISTENT HAWKERS #14- ITALIAN WEATHER #13- ABROAD CONSTANTS #12- #STUDYABROADPROBLEMS #11- OLD STOVE PORCELLINO #10- 3,991 MILES #9- PARIS, FRANCE
#8- APPRECIATION OF WHAT'S TO COME
#7- MEETING UP WITH ABROAD FRIENDS
#6- BEING COMPLETELY SINGLE
#5- BAD TRAVEL KARMA
I have without a doubt learned from abroad that I never want to do the Amazing Race. I can successfully cross that off my list of reality shows I wish to be on. I've learned how much I hate the process of traveling. I love seeing new places, but with my luck it never seems to go according to plan.. ever.
The worst travel snafu was DEFINITELY getting stranded in Pisa. I have major angst towards Pisa. Pisa shit (say it slowly). You'd think people who studied abroad in Italia would have told us that there is casual transportation strikes often? Nope, so we learned the hard way coming back from Paris. After a Paris metro to a bus back to the airport to a flight back to pisa to take the train from the Pisa airport to the stop at Pisa Centrale to switch trains to get back to Firenze SMN... oh wait on a Sunday night at 9:00 all of the train workers strike in Italy? Ohhh no not all of them just 10% of the train workers decided to stop working that night and we happened to be on one. Your train has been delayed for 30 minutes.... for 1 hours.... your train has been delayed 16 hours.. um what says the obnoxious sounding lady on the loud speaker? You say 16 hours... screw this I'm getting McDonalds.
We then had the pleasure of dealing with rude Italians that were less than helpful and met up with 3 girls from BU having the same problem trying to get to Florence, but even together it was futile. We frantically call our advisor Chiara who gets back to us and tells us to get on a city bus back to the airport to then take a bus back to Florence. So we flail around the Pisa train station trying to figure out which bus to take, finally find it and then prepare ourselves to BOOK it as if we were on the Amazing Race to catch a bus back. In retrospect this was pointless cause the ryanair buses go 24 hours a day, but it was a ROUGH day of traveling and a few of the girls could not handle it all. Ironically enough right before I left for Paris my business psych class I had a lesson learning about how to act in situations and how you can only control how your react, can't control what you're dealt with. This mindset was perfect for me who is someone that worries about EVERYTHING, but I think aside from some culture shock anger that still permeated on me I handled it the best way I could, level headed. We'd eventually get home so crying or bitching about the situation was pointless. There was nothing we did wrong, traveling just sucks.
Add this to my ridiculous plane travels with AirFrance to Cannes and pretty much ever using a Florence transportation system, traveling is not my friend. I'm not going to try to be friends with traveling, but it made me a stronger person able to adapt quickly to situations that are out of my control.
On the 6th day left abroading, Europe gave to me...
#17- GELATO #16- ABROAD SONGS #15- PERSISTENT HAWKERS #14- ITALIAN WEATHER #13- ABROAD CONSTANTS #12- #STUDYABROADPROBLEMS #11- OLD STOVE PORCELLINO #10- 3,991 MILES #9- PARIS, FRANCE
#8- APPRECIATION OF WHAT'S TO COME
#7- MEETING UP WITH ABROAD FRIENDS
#6- BEING COMPLETELY SINGLE
Okay so I spent some time writing what I personally would have deemed a comical take on a very serious topic (there even was a it's britney... bitch joke), but half way through I realized I'm not half as funny as I think I am and this actually is an extremely influential reason for my growth as a person while abroad so I should leave a serious blogpost.
No need to rehash the past here, the past is in the past and I've learned from it. Truth and time tells all. That being said, I stepped on my plane August 29th?..30th?... wow I can't even remember what day I left it's been that long, anyways, with no reservations, no expectations, and no regrets ahead of me. I always wanted my abroad experience to focus on myself, but I never realized how much I truly needed it. I needed to get back to me and figure out what I want from life. I needed to stop thinking about myself in regards to others and their perceptions of me, I can't control how someone acts I can only control how I react.
Abroad life pretty much forced me to be void of all forms of not being alone, and I'm grateful for it. The issues of the fact that I am nearly 4,000 miles away from home, in a SUPER conservative country, in an even more conservative city, in a country I speak none of the language (still don't just ask me how to say strawberry in Italian...), and how I left with zero strings attached were obvious. Now fast forward to London (epic fail...twice), France (didn't have time to go out in Paris, then was in the gay capital of France Cannes and the cards just didn't work out not that Melissa didn't try and wasn't PISSED about it), and then Rome (blah). Nothing seemed to be in my favor which is something I have grown used to being gay, but this is no "im playing the victim card" bull cause I don't play those games I am just stating facts.
The fact of the matter is I have spent the past 3 and a half months only focusing my attention on me. Yeah did I slip up a few times in the beginning caring too much about life back at Stonehill? Yes, it's a process. Rome wasn't built in a day (been there, done that). I have always thought the process of being broken down is healthy and makes a person stronger, and being abroad is one giant slap in the face of life. Being complete single while abroad has made me appreciate my friendships so much more. I have found the strength within myself that if I have to wait until I graduate Stonehill or even years after that, I genuinely feel I can because when I least expect it that person will make himself known. Never settle. Life is too damn short to not live your life to the fullest with people who care.
I'm assertive enough to know I deserve a Meredith Grey, someone who will make a ridiculous house out of candles, a Friends With Benefits Justin Timberlake to do a completely unrealistic flashmob to Closing Time, an Aaron Samuels to laugh at the fact I am a complete dork that would say grool (fun fact that actor from Mean Girls is gay in real life), I deserve Penn Badgley in Easy A. I'm so beyond aware of myself as a person now that you probably think I have a huge head, false. I am just a hell of a lot more confident about myself, and you should be about yourself too.
I've just begun (having my fun).
Now I discovered this about a week ago, since then I've been listening to Beyonce's album 4 pretty much nonstop since, but I think this is the type of mindset I know have about myself. I can acknowledge what I have accomplished thus far and what I want to accomplish for myself and the others I surround myself with. Enjoy the live version because it's so much better.
The lyrics to the chorus resonate with my feelings about my abroad experience. I did so damn much while abroad and persevered through it all. Everything I wanted out of this experience I got, and then some. Were there things left undone and places I did not get to go to? Yes, but looking back and what I thought I could afford to get done I am amazed and the places I have seen, the people I have met, and the genuine life goals I have accomplish.
"I was here...
I lived, I loved
I was here...
I did, I've done everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be."
So yes, I was here. I was a lot of places, but this will only continue back in America even more so. I don't view myself as an "abroad dave" who will go back into his norms and routines back at Stonehill because that for damn sure is not going to happen. Dave 3.0 is wiser, more mature, more independent, more patient, more outgoing, more reserved, more self aware, more appreciative, and will soon be 21 so if you are expecting the David who left in August stepping off that Swiss Air plane in Boston this weekend, good luck finding him.
"I Was Here"
I wanna leave my footprints on the sands of time
Know there was something that, and something that I left behind
When I leave this world, I'll leave no regrets
Leave something to remember, so they won't forget
I was here...
I lived, I loved
I was here...
I did, I've done everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be
I will leave my mark so everyone will know
I was here...
I want to say I lived each day, until I died
I know that I had something in, somebody's life
The hearts I have touched, will be the proof that I lived
That I made a difference, and this world will see
I was here...
I lived, I loved
I was here...
I did, I've done everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be
I will leave my mark so everyone will know
I was here...
I was here...
I lived, I loved
I was here...
I did, I've done everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be
I will leave my mark so everyone will know
I was here...
I just want them to know
That I gave my all, did my best
Brought someone to happiness
Left this world a little better just because...
I was here...
I was here...
I lived, I loved
I was here...
I did, I've done everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be
I wanna leave my mark so everyone will know
I was here...
I lived (I lived), I loved
I was here...
I did (I did), I've done
I was here
I lived (I lived), I loved (I loved)
I was here... (oh)
I did, I've done
On the 7th day left abroading, Europe gave to me...
#17- GELATO #16- ABROAD SONGS #15- PERSISTENT HAWKERS #14- ITALIAN WEATHER #13- ABROAD CONSTANTS #12- #STUDYABROADPROBLEMS #11- OLD STOVE PORCELLINO #10- 3,991 MILES #9- PARIS, FRANCE
#8- APPRECIATION OF WHAT'S TO COME
#7- MEETING UP WITH ABROAD FRIENDS
The fact that I have seen so many of my friends that are also studying abroad is amazing. There is so many Stonehill people studying abroad and I feel like we have this big network of friends to save us from the clutches of hostels and getting lost in foreign cities. I managed to travel so much and only stay in a hostel one night (and it was a BOMB hostel in London, I can successfully say I had no hostel troubles). To see which friends put in the effort to travel across countries to visit you is really heartwarming. The friends that graciously let me sleep on their floor or couch to save money always brings appreciation.
Shout outs to all the friends I have seen while abroad!
France
Dev
Melissa
London
Matt and the new Stonehill friends I met (photo evidence Danielle and I are friends officially) Italy Melaugh (so many times) Briana (my unofficial Perugian girlfriend) Cait Renee Frankie (damn so many Stonehill friends in Perugia) Anastasia (were finally friends!) Ireland Jessica Mardo (my Ireland savior) Mallory Julia Casey McKeon New friends Kerry + Kelly! Visitors of Firenze HAL AND JULIE MILLS Kayla & new Salamanca friends The Denmark Duo of Tara and Amy Michelle and how she casually stalked our program in Venice Elyse Flat Faith (I'll count her)
On the 8th day left abroading, Europe gave to me...
#17- GELATO #16- ABROAD SONGS #15- PERSISTENT HAWKERS #14- ITALIAN WEATHER #13- ABROAD CONSTANTS #12- #STUDYABROADPROBLEMS #11- OLD STOVE PORCELLINO #10- 3,991 MILES #9- PARIS, FRANCE
#8- APPRECIATION OF WHAT'S TO COME
Okay so this one doesn't exactly follow the guidelines of the purpose of these last 17 day statements, but it don't matter. The experiences being abroad have been insurmountable at times and extremely rewarding throughout it all, duh, but now with only a week left abroad I can't help but be contemplative about what is ahead for me. The life I have back home and how it will be so much different since I've grown. What have I missed while being gone? Have the people I care about become different while I was gone? I am hugely anti the unknown but I am very much looking forward to continue my life experiences back home, granted it won't involve casually traveling to other countries on the weekend anymore though..
Things I am excited about for when I am back
-DUNKIN DONUTS ICED COFFEES (no explanation necessary) -bagels (specifically Back Bay) -Target (so many aisles, so many options) -Stonehill College (the campus, Admissions, Student Activities, oh yeah and the like 50 people who I have missed dearly) -THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE!! -Not having to cook for myself, I will take your crappy food Sodexo why thank you -Having my room back home -Turning 21 twenty eight hours after arriving in Boston -Grace Walkowicz and Tara Cantwell. oh and seeing how my okids have grown through their awkward freshman stages -Sour Patch Kids -Being able to drive -One dollar bills (and not having to carry massive amounts of change) -Finding out how I am going to be able to balance having 3 jobs, Frisbee, clubs, and a very harsh class schedule (oh and finding the motivation to do it all considering abroad status has shot that) -Chain restaurants (but no pasta or pizza for at least a month) -Chinese food (pretty much I am a fat ass who only misses food) -My iPhone! (screw the piccell) and that includes Angry Birds and Words with Friends -Netflix, actually all of the internet and being able to use it without country restrictions or bad internet quality -Being in the same time zone as everyone I know -American sized portions of everything and anything -Having the right of way as a pedestrian -Being in a country that actually recycles -BEING ABLE TO GO ON A RUN! oh stonehill cardio room I have missed you too -The Peer Mentor Team, and Orientation season starting so soon -Bud Light Faiths, and the beautiful Faith Castiglione -Erin Kelly and making her feel uncomfortable with my statements -Actual weather changes, yeah I will no doubt miss my months of 85 and sunny, but time never felt like it was passing cause of the weather here -Donahue and the Admissions staff -Not having to travel... I LOVE seeing new places but oh my god do I hate the process of traveling
and so many more but those were just the first ones that came to mind. ahhhh so soon to being home
