1. For my STEP project I did an Education Abroad in Florence, Italy. I took an Introduction to Photography course at Accademia Italiana during the summer semester to fulfill a GE requirement and to explore diverse cultures.
2. During my STEP project I found myself reflecting on the cultural differences between the United States and Italy. Through my experiences abroad I discovered that people live much simpler than what is considered the norm in the U.S. I also expected there to be a drastic language barrier with the locals. I challenged myself and tried to speak phrases in Italian in order to better understand the language and culture. I felt myself dive deeper into the culture and embrace the more relaxed, reflective way of life most Italians lead. Additionally, I became more knowledgeable on the art and history Florence embodies.
3. The study abroad took place over six weeks, which allowed me to observe and interact with a variety of people, especially local Italians, and learn about the culture and language. One of the most unexpected places I felt a cultural difference was in the local grocery store. In Italian grocery stores and markets you are not expected to touch any of the produce by hand without wearing gloves as a sign of respect. Furthermore, you will not find any out of season produce because everything in the store was grown in Italy or its neighboring countries. Due to the lack of preservatives in the produce and other foods, they expire very quickly, so it is also common for locals to go to the grocery store or market everyday. I found these to be important characteristics of the culture because people value the hard work of the farmers and the quality of food, which contributes to their appreciation for a simpler life style.
When in Florence it is impossible to ignore the surrounding architecture, history, and art. Through my course and by visiting the world-renowned museums and galleries I was able to understand Florence’s powerful role in Europe and countries abroad. Florence is home to the start of the Renaissance where artists like Michelangelo, Donatello, and Leonardo da Vinci started their work. The city is famous for its unique, detailed buildings, all of which were created during the Renaissance and preserved for centuries. The appreciation for art, fashion, and history is strongly felt in Florence and locals pride themselves for being Florentines. It became evident that art and history are deeply rooted into Florence’s culture and locals embrace Florence’s past.
The course I took provided introductory photography skills while allowing students to interact with Florence. For example, one day of class we went to the Uffizi Gallery and the professor instructed students to tell a story about Florence through taking pictures of the statues, buildings, locals, and tourists. This provided the opportunity to see Florence in a different perspective because you had to observe the area and artfully construct an image. Similar exercise contributed to my personal perspective on Florence and my interactions with the locals. Through the course, in addition to the independent market interactions and gallery tours, it allowed me to reflect on Florentine culture and understand and embrace the cultural differences.
4. The new perspectives and cultural appreciation developed through my time in Italy provided me with a renewed outlook I will apply to future interactions. Primarily, I gained a personal understanding of myself since my family originated from Italy; I was able to compare our Italian traditions to present-day customs in Italy. Additionally, I will apply my appreciation for cultural diversity, language, art, and history to my college career and future career since it is crucial to respect and understand cultural differences. I hope to continue to travel abroad in the future, for not only does it allow you to explore distinct cultures, it also causes personal growth and a perspective of your global influence.
