Category Archives: Fall 2023

Italy – Just a Chapter in the Journey of Life

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When an opening for travel arrives, take it- take it and expose yourself to the opportunity. If you were to tell me this is where I would be two years ago, heck, a year ago, I would have not believed you. Spontaneously signing up for this semester abroad has already brought twelve new friendships, cultural understandings, language exposure, learning yet hilarious situations and so much more. 

We (the fall 2023 Chigi babies) are on week three of twelve and it already feels as if we have been here for months. There are of course the highest of highs and lowest of lows. Let me tell you, the things posted on instagram are not always what is portrayed in the ways someone may make it seem. For instance, this past weekend a group of us decided to go to Sorrento to see the coast…beautiful, right? 

Well if the photos looked aesthetically pleasing for the instagram feed, it did not go that way. The backstory in a summary is the Airbnb took two hours to find but the plus side of that was the house being tinkerbell themed. Our boat tour got canceled, so we took the bus to Positano, took a ferry, and vomit was almost the end result. It poured rain as we walked down the hill, which ended in a smelly wet dog feeling and ruined clothes. As we got to the beach at the bottom, the rain stopped and the sun was shining, so the ferry was our ideal way to get back. However we just missed the last one, and we watched it drive away. We walked back up the hill, to the top, to get on the bus. We did not have seats so we stood for the forty five minute ride and all felt motion sick again. Well the emergency button was pushed, we thought game over and we were about to pay a clean up fee. Anyways, it ended well and we made it back to Sorrento and got gelato. 

All in all, it was the best weekend, a weekend that had us all laughing about every moment as we sat on the floor of the train station because we missed our train. We would not want it any other way; fun, spontaneous, and testing of our patience. That is just a glimpse of the plus to studying abroad, the friendships you inherit by learning how to work with each other and being in the moment. To say that, not only do I feel as if this chapter of life is bringing me closer to friends I never knew I needed but also adding cultural skills and adaptability to my tool box. 

Sophie Berry

Fare Acquisti in Italia

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Shopping in Italy is everything one would think it would be! I have spent the last couple of weeks, amidst all of our wonderful program activities, shopping in just about any city we go to. It is absolutely incredible, and not surprising since we’re in the fashion capital of the world, but there are some things I wish I had known sooner to prepare. One thing is that when you walk into a store, be sure to greet the store owners upon entrance, otherwise you can be given a look of “what is she up to?” No need to be shy or nervous, they are very friendly people! All it takes is a simple “buongiorno” if it’s morning or “buonasera” if it is the afternoon.

Since we are in Ariccia, it can be difficult to find people who speak English and the same goes for the neighboring towns of Albano, Genzano, Nemi, etc. Due to this, there are phrases (if you’re an avid shopper like I am) that would come in very handy to memorize before your first shopping trip! “Vorrei provare quello” means “I would like to try” and then you could use nonverbal language and point to what you would like or learn the phrase for what it is you’re wanting. “Questo va bene” can be used to say “this is good” if you are happy with what you have, are done shopping, or like how something fits. “Cerco una” translates to “I am looking for a” which you can once again finish with nonverbal cues or learn the words for what you are looking for and “posso provarla” means “can I try it.”

There are also some differences in shopping in America versus shopping here in Italy. When I went into a makeup store in Rome, I was a little confused because I saw one of each product but couldn’t find any more product anywhere. I asked an employee, who had to find a colleague that spoke English, and she told me that the product is kept in drawers that the employees find and get for you, not the customer. In shoe stores, you don’t just grab shoes and try them on or touch them like you do in America. You ask an employee for help and they touch and find everything for you. As an American, there can already be a pretty bad stigma attached to you (fortunately you are a JSB American so you have it a little better!), but because of this, you want to try and adapt as much as possible to show the locals you care about their culture and traditions. Being willing to learn this will get you so far!!

Caroline Avolese

Rome’s huge shopping corso