My Time In Florence

Ratings
Overall
4
Academics: 4
Support: 5
Fun: 5
Housing: 4
Safety: 5
Review

As my adventure in Italy quickly came to an end, I reflect on all it has taught me over the course of these last two weeks - not just academically but personally as well. Picking one experience in particular, I choose to focus in greater detail on a conversation I had with one of my CAPA professors only a few days ago. Our conversation took place over an assignment I was having difficulties submitting, and my professor stopped me mid stressfilled sentence, and said the wisest thing to me that I had heard in awhile. He said, “In America, your culture supports a life of stress and it’s pointless when nine out of ten times, your situation will stay exactly the same”. This simple statement not only forced me to reflect on American culture but my own life in particular. It was true what he said, American culture is one that could turn stress into a lifestyle for an average citizen. We see examples of this with citizens working two and three jobs to keep up with the cost of living. Students are raising their blood pressure levels to get into good colleges, and the entire country is sitting on the edge of their seats with rapid shifts in our economy. Taking this all in, I came to the realization that I personally was not living as “stress-free and unbothered” as I had set out to be. The simplicity of my professor’s statement changed my outlook on life for the better. It taught me that life is only a moment and yet so much bigger than such at the same time. That granted, life in one specific moment is indeed our reality but once the moment has passed a new one has been created. We spend so much time prolonging these past moments or anticipating one yet to come that we miss out on so many of the new ones created in the process. This experience in particular reminded me to let go of what I had no control over, to do what I could when I could do it, but also to enjoy each moment as they are created because they will past. As the Italians say in their culture “La semplicità è l’ultimo sofisticazione” - Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

Would you recommend this program?
Yes, I would
Year Completed
2019