October 19, 2020

One of Many Ways to Stay Fit Abroad: Join our Soccer Team!

Are you planning ahead and wondering how you can meet your fitness goals while living in a country full of so many unique and delicious meals? While there are many gyms and other facilities in Florence, one of our favorite fitness activities is calcio (soccer).  Organised by a former player on the historic Florentine soccer team, Florence’s co-ed ‘calcetto’ club (Italian soccer played with five players) welcomes students of all backgrounds. By participating in unofficial tournaments against over 20 American institutions in Florence, you’ll have a chance to learn or enhance your calcio skills.

How is it structured?

There are two editions during the full academic year (Fall and Spring). Matches are played from Monday to Wednesday, starting at 19:00 or 19:30. Although this initiative is not recognised by the Italian soccer federation, it is still a fantastic way to keep fit whilst meeting new people and engaging with the community.

 

How can you participate?

Students receive an email from one of our staff members, Rino Punzo, containing all the relevant information (application forms can be found in Rino’s office). This team prefers to include motivated players with some level of experience as to avoid major injuries.

 

We hope to see you at our games in 2021!
Il cielo è azzurro sopra Berlino…

 

Disclaimer: It is highly likely for the Spring 2021 edition to be cancelled or modified due to the recent pandemic.

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About the Author:
Sara is interning with ISI Florence through ISI Abroad as part of her gap year experience. As an aspiring English major and experienced traveler, she will be your guide this fall to help you plan for a semester in Florence, Italian style.

October 14, 2020

Italian Pronunciation: How to Sound Like a Native

Did you know that Florentine Italian is actually considered the official spoken Italian language? This is mostly due to the city’s role as the first Italian capital (under the reunified Italy).

Florence is probably the best place to pick up Italian, but if you want to sound like a native you need to brush up on your accent! It can be hard to transition from an English accent so, as a native Italian, I have put together a few pronunciation tips for you:

Bruschetta

This is a common appetizer in the U.S. but people often pronounce it wrong. It is Brü-sket-tah. There’s no “sh” in the word and it is important to pronounce every letter, even when you spot a ‘t’ twice in a row.

Lasagna

Please refrain from saying ‘la-sag-nee-ya’, ‘la-zan-yay’, or ‘la-zag-na’. Every time I hear this, my heart breaks a little. The ‘gn’ sounds like the ‘ny’ in ‘canyon’ and the word flows as much as the food’s melted cheese as it comes out of the oven, ‘la-za-nya’. Remember that lasagne, with an ‘e’ at the end, is plural. Unless you are eating multiple lasagne at once, make sure you use ‘lasagna’, with an ‘a’. Then again, if you are eating numerous lasagne I can’t blame you, they are delicious.

Espresso

Espresso to Italians is like a smooth liquid gold. It interrupts the work day with a brief break and energy boost, it starts one’s morning off on the right foot with a pastry or side of cookies. Just like its easy-going contributions to an Italian’s daily life, it is effortlessly pronounced es-press-oh. That’s right, there is no hard ‘x’ to throw off your morning or the end of your lunch break. 

Grazie

It’s not ‘grat-see’, nor is it ‘grat-ze’, it’s grazie (grats-ē-ā). Make sure the final ‘e’ sounds like a cross between a long ‘a’ and the first ‘e’ in elephant. This is a common mistake I have noticed among English speakers, and it can be hard to get the hang of using the right pronunciation, but it’ll really impress any fellow Italians out there!

For more tips on sounding like an Italian, take a look at our blog on 5 Essential Italian Expressions!

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About the Author:
Sara is interning with ISI Florence through ISI Abroad as part of her gap year experience. As an aspiring English major and experienced traveler, she will be your guide this fall to help you plan for a semester in Florence, Italian style.

October 8, 2020

Your Guide to The Uffizi Gallery in Florence

What better city to gaze upon the most celebrated works of art than in the Birthplace of the Renaissance itself? Considered one of the most famous museums in Italy, the Uffizi Gallery is home to one of the largest collections of Renaissance art in the world!

This historic museum contains a wide range of iconic masterpieces from world-renowned artists, including Michelangelo, Leonardi da Vinci, Botticelli, and Raffaelo, just to name a few. Located in the heart of Florence, it’s large collection of artwork dates back from the 12th to the 17th century. Here are a few tips to make the most of your visit.

Plan Your Visit in Advance

The Uffizi Gallery is one of the most visited museums in the world, welcoming about 1.9 million visitors each year. During peak season, the long lines of tourists can take up hours of valuable time spent waiting. If you’re short on time or want to skip the lines, purchase or reserve your tickets in advance to make the most of your visit. 

The official ticket price is 20 Euro during peak season and 12 Euro during the low season, with an additional charge of only 4 Euro for a reservation fee. Check out the official Uffizi Gallery website for information on admission, hours, and tickets at https://www.uffizi.it/en.             

Set an Itinerary

Visiting the Uffizi Gallery can be a daunting experience. Spread across two floors, the gallery holds over 45 halls of artwork, making it easy to get lost around every corner. You’ll likely find yourself trying to navigate around the Uffizi’s maze of rooms, so it’s recommended that you set an itinerary for your visit and prioritize what pieces you’d like to see. Try to plan ahead and dedicate enough time in order to fully appreciate the artwork. You should also consider joining a guided tour to see the best highlights and learn the history behind them. 

In summary, nothing quite beats the opportunity to study the most famous works of art throughout history, and then witness them with your own eyes, making the Uffizi Gallery a must-see destination during your semester or summer in Florence! So when will you visit?

Learn more about the Renaissance and Florence by taking courses like The Art of Florence or Florence: The Story of the City, among other ISI Florence courses. 

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About the Author:

Brenna is a former student of ISI Florence and a current intern at ISI Abroad. She has traveled extensively in recent years to embrace new cultural experiences and gain new perspectives.

September 23, 2020

Tuscany Formalizes Free Healthcare for American Students

ISI Florence is honored to call Florence and the Region of Tuscany home, not just because of the beauty, history and community we find here, but also because of how locals welcome, support, and teach our students.

On September 5th, members of the American Consulate in Florence met with the president of the Region of Tuscany to discuss how to collaborate in ways that would support American students. The result of the meeting is that the Region will offer a new, easily accessible, free healthcare program for U.S. students studying in Tuscany. The program will include an English language hotline for check-ups and general assistance.

Prior to this arrangement, American students were already guaranteed free treatment and testing for covid-19 (early this summer). In fact, free testing is currently available throughout Italy in airports and train stations in what, so far, has been a successful collaboration between health services and the public that has kept Italy on track in its reopening strategy.

For more information about support for students at ISI Florence, please visit isiflorence.org/reopening.

We and our community are looking forward to the return of study abroad and to welcoming our beloved American students in January!

 

September 17, 2020

Useful Apps for Navigating Florence | Live Like a Florentine

A change in environment is a great fresh start to your semester! To help you navigate Florence once you arrive in your new home, we’ve compiled a brief list of useful apps that can guide you through the city, led by the modern ingenuity of Italian tech.

Firenze Up!

Created by the Florentine commune, the local government, this app allows you to view all the official events being held in Florence. From festivals to markets and guided tours, explore Florence independently whilst supporting the local commune with the use of this app!

ISI Florence App

A few years ago our team created the ideal study abroad app, designed specifically to meet the needs and interests of our students. It includes a range of features that will facilitate communications and show you the best local opportunities. Check out the app store (IOS/Android) for a quick guide of the app, helping you keep all your resources in one place!

Firenze the Walking City

Another app supported by the official Florentine commune, this app will allow you to explore Florence with a new perspective. Follow the pre-planned walking route to engage with the historical architecture and breathtaking views. Explore sites outside the usual tourist itinerary and feel like a local! Routes are designed to fit your level of fitness, varying in difficulty & length, showing you the number of calories burned and the average speed of your walk. Pretty nifty!

Duolingo /Google Translate

Traveling is a great way to pick up a new language! These free apps will help you improve your Italian so you’re daytrip ready. ISI Florence also offers Italian classes for all students, providing different levels of difficulty (beginner to advanced).

WhatsApp

Worried about your phone bill? WhatsApp is used by most Europeans as it’s a free app that allows you to call, text, and video chat with all your contacts. It knows no boundaries: as long as both people have the app, you can communicate via WhatsApp. You will need to have an internet connection to use it, but your apartment will have WiFi and you’ll find various cafes and other locations across Europe that offer free internet connections.

 

There are many more apps and services to explore here in Italy. Whether you’re looking to travel or hoping to find a virtual tour as you walk through the Uffizi, there’s always something useful for you!

For more apps approved by the official Florentine commune click here.

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About the Author:
Sara is interning with ISI Florence through ISI Abroad as part of her gap year experience. As an aspiring English major and experienced traveler, she will be your guide this summer to help you plan for a semester in Florence, Italian style.

September 8, 2020

Tips on Financial Aid & Saving Money in Florence

Studying abroad requires a lot of planning but our team is here to help and today we’d like to provide some tips on saving money in Florence.

Know what to budget for

ISI Florence provides a budget guide among your pre-departure materials. We recommend you review that in detail to consider the personal expenses you may encounter. In addition, you should know about what you won’t have to worry about while abroad. ISI Florences’ program costs include housing & tuition, as well as services like airport pickup in Florence (upon arrival), utilities (including WiFi and initial housing sanitation), access to all ISI facilities, 24/7 emergency phone, and much more. We also include an orientation program (including a day trip) introducing you to the new and stunning environment.

Before you pick your program, remember to compare the prices to your usual costs on campus. Also, don’t forget to consider your personal and academic goals to ensure that you’re getting the most out of the experience you choose!

Look for new financial aid opportunities

A lot of colleges provide financial aid to students studying abroad, beyond the aid granted during a usual semester on campus. Sometimes this aid is based on financial need, other times it is based on academic performance or your destination/program of interest. You’ll also find that third party scholarship providers also provide special funding for study abroad as a way to prepare students for international workplaces. Ask your study abroad adviser right away about budgeting for study abroad.

To help you find ways to make your experience as accessible as possible ISI Florence has provided a list of available scholarships. Click here for more information on financial aid.

Understand the cost of living

Florence can be a very busy city and it’s no secret that its beauty attracts thousands of tourists every year. This might make it a little more expensive than a small Italian town, but it can still be more affordable than the average city in the U.S.

Saving money is simple: try to avoid eating out in common restaurants in the middle of prominent areas, look for smaller restaurants where the locals eat instead or cook something that reminds you of home. When it comes to eating out, learn the culture of the apericena (Italian habit of going out for an evening drink accompanied by a buffet of food, usually costing around 10 Euro). If cooking for yourself or for friends, food markets will provide fresh & local produce at a lower price, so this is a great opportunity to perfect your culinary skills!

Would you like more tips about planning for your semester studying abroad in Italy? Visit our website or contact [email protected] to get in touch with one of our advisers.

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About the Author:
Sara is interning with ISI Florence through ISI Abroad as part of her gap year experience. As an aspiring English major and experienced traveler, she will be your guide this summer to help you plan for a semester in Florence, Italian style.

August 10, 2020

Live Like a Florentine: 5 Essential Expressions for your Italian Experience

Your travel plans might be on pause currently, which means it’s the perfect time to learn more about Italian culture and communication! Being a tourist in a foreign country can be hard, especially when you aren’t familiar with the language. These expressions will help you start your trip abroad with ease so you can enjoy everything Italy has to offer without having to worry about language barriers.

Boh

Meaning: no idea, expressing doubt, expressing indifference

Marvel fans might know this one already, but this expression is perfect for showing indifference. It can be used as a response for almost any question, although this is not advised as it might be considered antisocial or rude if used continuously.

Meh

Similarly to ‘boh’, meh has an infinite number of meanings depending on the use of tone or pitch. Use this term cautiously as the wrong tone might communicate indifference rather than approval.

Meanings: yes, no, maybe, this portion of food is rather small, i don’t agree with you, cheer up old sport, don’t worry, I’ll do it tomorrow, I am unimpressed, (in response to ‘how are you?’) I’m doing decently

Meanings (prolonged, increasing pitch): you look amazing, why are you wearing that

Example: Your friend is wearing scuba gear to a night out at the theatre.
*point disapprovingly at outfit* Meeeeeeeh?!

Moh

Meaning: Right now.

Example:
A: A che ora vogliamo mangiare (what time do we want to eat)?
B: Moh.

We

Pronounced: ‘wae’, usually prolonged or lengthened for impact. Also like the Mexican güey or we(y)

Meaning: hey man, that is an excessive amount of (insert food name here), you’re exaggerating, look at that, I disagree with you

Example: Your friend put 30kg (66 lbs) of grated Parmigiano Reggiano on your food.

Ou, weee basta!

Basta

Meaning: Stop

Although many Italians will understand English if you need to say stop it can’t hurt to know a few words that can get their attention. Basta can be used both in serious situations (said firmly), or with your friend who for the 5th time today is telling you about the “best gelato ever” (said in a drawn out baaaassttaa).

Example: Someone is serving you pasta and it seems well beyond the usual portion size.
Basta così, grazie (that’s enough, thank you).

To learn more about these Italian phrases, come join us on one of our study abroad programs to Italy! We offer Italian classes for every student, at any level (beginner to advanced). This will help you fully immerse yourself in the rich cultural experience you’ll gain here in Florence. Get your suitcase ready!

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About the Author:
Sara is interning with ISI Florence through ISI Abroad as part of her gap year experience. As an aspiring English major and experienced traveler, she will be your guide this summer to help you plan for a semester in Florence, Italian style.

 

 

August 3, 2020

Quick and Easy Summer Recipes to bring into your Home

When you can’t go to Italy, we’ll bring Italy to you. Journey through an easy menu filled with tradition, flavor and colorful alternatives to your typical summer meal.

Appetizer | Main Dish | Dessert

Antipasto – Prosciutto e Melone

Simple and refreshing: the sweet and salty flavors are a perfect amalgamation. There couldn’t be an easier recipe: Slice a cantaloupe, remove the peel, place the prosciutto crudo over the top and enjoy as if you were sitting in a 5-star restaurant!

Primo Piatto – Insalata di Riso

Ideal for lunch or dinner, this recipe can be vegan and vegetarian friendly. A revitalizing break from the hot Italian weather, commonly used by locals on their day trips to local beaches.

Ingredients: rice (preferably risotto rise e.g. Riso Gallo), pickled vegetables, hot dog/tuna (optional)

Preparation time: 30 minutes, 30 minutes cooling time

Instructions:

• Boil the rice, make sure to take it off the stovetop slightly earlier than usual
• Drain the rice and place it in a plastic bowl. Make sure you toss it regularly to help it cool down. Add some olive oil whilst doing so, as to ensure that the rice doesn’t become sticky
• Dice/chop the pickled vegetables and put into a large bowl
  
• Once the rice has cooled down, add it to the condiment bowl in small doses whilst mixing
• Mix well and store in the fridge for about half an hour (or more if you have time)

You can add other condiments (e.g. tuna, hot dog, seafood) if you’d like. The more condiments you have, the better it’ll taste!

Mamma Maria’s secret: Mix up your recipe by replacing rice with barley or farro.

Il Dolce – Vin Santo con Cantuccini

A traditional Tuscan dessert wine, Vin Santo, was extremely popular in the Middle Ages. Traces of it can also be found in Roman and Greek ancient history. Dip the famous Florentine cantuccini (almond-based biscuits, or biscotti) into the Vin Santo, and you’ll have the perfect dessert!

The Unforgettable

It’s not the end of an Italian meal if there isn’t any coffee! Usually an espresso from a local bar, complete by a beautiful view of an Italian Piazza and followed by a brief passeggiata.

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About the Author:
Sara is interning with ISI Florence through ISI Abroad as part of her gap year experience. As an aspiring English major and experienced traveler, she will be your guide this summer to help you plan for a semester in Florence, Italian style.

 

 

 

July 27, 2020

Live Like a Florentine: Top 3 Day Trip Destinations Near Florence

Italy’s academic programs have all come to a close and summer break is in full swing. So where do Italians go for a brief trip? This blog highlights some of our favorite day trip destinations near Florence as part of this summer’s Live Like a Florentine – a series of blogs that will help students make the most of their future experiences in and around Florence. 

Siena

You can’t say you’ve experienced Italy unless you’ve been to Siena. 

Gaining its fame from its pilgrim routes leading to the south of France, Siena soon became a commercial and political hotspot in Italy. It became so strong, in fact, that it became a worthy rival of Florence, its sister city (Battle of Montaperti). Today, it is most well known for the Palio de Siena, an annual summer horse race between the city’s contrade, or medieval wards.

To this day, Siena remains a perfect example of the typical Italian medieval city, conserving its fascinating colors (Rosso di Siena/Siena Red), churches, intricate architecture, and botanic gardens. This noble city offers an abundance of local delicacies and traditional foods, including olive oil, tartufi (truffle), and pecorino. Make the trip and your tastebuds will thank you.

From Florence by train: 1 hour 15 minutes
Visit Siena, Il Duomo: Duomo di Siena

Pisa

So much history, so much culture!

Home to countless research centers,  Pisa welcomes visitors with eye-opening tours and excursions, including to the lovely San Rossore National Park. Pisa solidifies its role as an ideal city for perspective on Italian history and culture by hosting numerous festivals like Metarock, Luminara di San Ranieri, and Il Gioco del Ponte.

With a chance to analyze the Etruscan and Roman occupation, technological advancements through time, and the cultural impact of religious devotion on the Italian community. What more could you want?

From Florence by train: 1 hour 20 minutes, including a train change at Empori
Nature Park: Parco San Rossore Website

Passignano sul Trasimeno

A quick trip to Umbria, Tuscany’s lesser-known but equally beautiful neighbor!

One of the many Trasimeno towns, but with a twist. Pack your panini for a relaxing picnic near the Trasimeno Lake and hop on a beautiful boat trip to nearby islands. The Isola Maggiore, a stupendously scenic island, hosts the hidden 14th century Guglielmi Castle (also known as the Isabella Castle). The mainland of Passignano hosts the 18th-century fortress used for the annual Boat Race (Palio delle Barche), during which local men drive their boats to the island and proceed to carry them through the historical town to commemorate a 15th-century battle.

Visitors can also venture into the Montegualandro Castle nearby, the Polvese Island (showcasing olive groves, monasteries and more), and many other culturally rich sites. 

From Florence by train: 1.5 – 2 hours
A brief history of the infamous Boat Race: Palio delle Barche

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For more travel tips, visit ISI Florence’s page for exploring Italy.

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About the Author:
Sara is interning with ISI Florence through ISI Abroad as part of her gap year experience. As an aspiring English major and experienced traveler, she will be your guide this summer to help you plan for a semester in Florence, Italian style.

 

January 30, 2020

FLORENCE DANCE FOR KIDS!

FUNDRAISING EVENT
FLORENCE DANCE FOR KIDS!

Organized by ISI Florence students to support children’s cancer research

florencedfk.net

The NGO Milano 25 and ISI Florence have been working together for several years now on projects that aim to sensitize our students on childhood, solidarity, and volunteering through lectures, interviews, and field trips to local children’s hospitals.
Students are exposed to the Florentine framework and its infrastructures, and to the therapies made available to cancer-diagnosed children and the support offered to these children’s families.

In this perspective, we devised a fundraising event, FLORENCE DANCE FOR KIDS – A Thon™-related event for childhood cancer research. Inspired by the atmosphere and feelings of the Thon™ Weekend at Penn State, we would like to replicate a similar, smaller version, to have students involved in the cause FOR THE KIDS™.

This fundraising event, at its first edition, will consist of an afternoon with dance, music, entertainment, games, organized by ISI Florence students for Florentine families, individuals, schools, etc.

Proceedings will go towards childhood cancer research and related educational projects.

 

 

January 24, 2020

Cultural Bubble

There is something so necessary about putting yourself in a place where you are the outsider so that you can observe your tendencies, both the good and bad ones. However, this experience is very hard for the hyperaware and introspective individuals like myself. I tend to overanalyze my actions and my personality on a minute-to-minute basis…being here for four months is a real test of resilience.

In one of my classes, I was asked what it means to be American, and after some silence from the class, the professor changed his question to what doesn’t make you Italian?

When you’re a tourist in a new space it is evident who you are, there is a clear barrier between you and the place you are visiting. Locals know you are a tourist and you know your role in the city: to see what you came to see and get out. But when you’re studying abroad that line is blurred confusing both you and the people around you. The issue I have been having the past three weeks is this: I want to fit in so badly!

I come from Bulgaria and I have struggled with the duality of my existence for a long time. I am too American for Europe and too European for America, I never feel like I fit in anywhere. So when I came to Italy I wanted to feel like I am a part of this culture when in reality I haven’t grown up here, I’m not.

At least if your thought process is anything like mine, you can see where the cognitive dissonance happens. On my bad days, I wake up thinking about how I put myself in a very uncomfortable position. I dwell on the fact that I don’t fit into this culture and every gaze I get from a stranger on the street makes me feel like an outsider.

At the end of the day, I remind myself that I can’t lose perspective of this situation. I am in a beautiful, historic city that so many people dream of visiting. I am standing in front of the art that I studied in art history class just two months ago! I have to let go of my tendency to overthink and appreciate where I am.

Petra Tsocheva
Rutgers University
ISI Florence Blogger | SPRING 2020

 

November 14, 2019

How I Decided to Study Abroad

Gina Wierzbicki (UConn) tells us why she decided to study abroad, what fears she has overcome, and how her outlook has now changed.

When I think about how I decided to study abroad, I wouldn’t consider it much of a decision at all since it has always been something I knew I wanted to do. It was always a dream of mine to travel around the world. As someone who has lived mostly in the North East of the United States, I knew I wanted to experience a different way of life far from the small bubble I lived in.

However, while I knew I wanted to study abroad, the reality of actually going abroad posed some obstacles.

The biggest obstacle would probably be the expense of living in a foreign country for four months without income and with the hopes of traveling, which amounts to be a costly endeavor. For me, this meant many months of saving by working a school job during the semester and a full-time job over the summer. In addition, I also applied to as many study abroad scholarships as I could find at my school, which made the expense a lot more feasible. Lastly, budgeting was an important tool I used both before arriving in Italy, and continuously since I’ve been here, in order to keep track of my finances. It is important to have a set plan in place so that I know how much money I can spend on fun activities and travel after putting aside the right amount of money to cover necessities, such as grocery shopping and school fees.

Another obstacle I faced, was the fear of meeting people since I wasn’t going abroad with anyone that I knew. I worried about who my roommates, classmates, and maybe even future travel mates would be. I was nervous about being so far away from my friends, family, and home for a whole semester. Luckily, many of my fears disappeared once I arrived in Florence. I found it was a lot easier to meet and connect with people than I thought, since many people who study abroad are like-minded. We all made the decision to leave home and live across the globe – there’s a shared interest in wanting to explore new things and places, and we are together in this unique experience.

In terms of missing home, I realized that I am never really too far from those I love because Facetime, texting, and social media make it easy to stay in touch. I realized how short a semester truly is! Before arriving, I was so worried that the semester might feel too long; however, I now worry about time passing too quickly and that there’s not enough time to see and do everything. This has definitely taught me how important it is to embrace and make the most of every moment.

Overall, my personal outlook has changed tremendously since being here. Studying abroad has taught me to fully embrace new experiences and opportunities. While it may be daunting at times, stepping out of the comfort zone allows for growth and the possibility to find something great and otherwise unknown. This experience continually surpasses any expectations and I am so grateful for the amazing friends and memories I will take home.

Gina Wierzbicki
University of Connecticut