University of North Carolina Athletics
UNC Gymnast Studies In Europe
September 19, 2011 | Women's Gymnastics
Sept. 19, 2011
PJ: How did you find out about the opportunity to study abroad in Italy? Are you traveling with any other UNC students?
KJ: I first found out about it when I was recruited and I kept it in the back of my mind until it was the right timing. I've always wanted to travel and I figured studying abroad was a perfect opportunity to do so. As a dramatic arts major and general interest in art history, I figured Florence was the perfect place to go! Yes, there are many UNC students in the Lorenzo de Medici program with me. Six of my roommates go to UNC.
PJ: What is a typical day like for you?
KJ: I have two classes per day, one in the morning and one in the evening Monday through Thursday, each for two and a half hours. I'm taking a drawing composition class and Italian Renaissance class which both involve visiting a church or museum daily on my own or with the class to sketch and study the Renaissance era. After my morning class, I go to the market with my roommates to buy some fresh ingredients to make lunch and for dinner later. Then I go exploring! I walk around for a few hours, drawing some sketches for my class and visiting museums. After my evening class, I either go out to dinner with my roommates or we make dinner together. My favorite spot at night is the Ponte Vecchio, so I'll typically wonder down that way with a friend and try a new flavor of gelato! On the weekends I travel outside of Florence to explore other Italian cities.
PJ: How has it measured up to your expectations? How is it different/same culturally?
KJ: I wanted to be prepared and respectful of the Italian culture so I listened to hours of Italian and practiced before i arrived in Italy. I was told many Italians in Florence speak English and not to worry too much about it. Now that I'm here I realize why! There are so many tourists of all kinds of nationalities that when I ask someone to take a picture for me i don't know whether to ask in Italian or English.
Although, when I attempt a conversation in Italian or order food in Italian, they really appreciate my effort to communicate in their language. Plus, I am improving my Italian much faster here in Italy.
Overall, I didn't want to set up any specific expectations coming to Italy because each experience offers me a chance to learn something new or view it in a different way. I've noticed Italians in general are very personable and easy going which has made it really easy for me to adjust to a foreign country. I feel welcome.
PJ: What are your top three favorite experiences so far?
KJ: I've only been here for 10 days so far so I'm sure I will have plenty more favorite experiences! But so far one of my favorite experiences was the day I got here and I decided to wonder off and explore the city on my own without a map and I turned the corner and there was the Duomo! I was shocked; I just stood there staring at it for like 30 minutes. (haha) It was absolutely beautiful.
The next night I went to the Ponte Vecchio with my friend. We sat down on the bridge trying some gelato for the first time and listening to live Italian music. It was a gorgeous night and people all around us were absorbing the same scene.
The other day I traveled to Cinque Terre which is along the west coast of Italy. I went with a few friends to hike each of the five towns which is a total of 10 km. What a workout! But the ocean views from the mountain cliffs were gorgeous and our final destination, the rocky beaches along the clear blue Mediterranean sea was totally worth the hike!
To learn more about UNC and the multitude of programs available to all our students, visit the University of North Carolina website at: www.unc.edu.
