20OUR FAVORITE RESTAURANTS, CAFES AND GELATERIAS!

THINGS YOU WISH YOU KNEW

BEFORE STUDYINGABROAD

IN FIRENZE

ALLORAALLORA

BEST INSTAGRAMS

OF SPRING 2016

#ONLYINITALY

AN ISA MAGAZINE MADE FOR AND BY ISA STUDENTS

SPRING BREAK

MAP

magaz-ISA

SPRING 2016

ISA STAFF EXCLUSIVE

MAGAZ-ISA INDEX

BEST INSTAGRAMS OF STUDY ABROADYou insta’d, we noticed. The editors top favorite Instagram pictures from all of you. 6

SURVIVAL ITALIANThe need-to-know phrases in order to survive in Firenze for a semester. (Mostly involving how to order food)

8THE FIVE STAGES OF STUDYING ABROADEveryone goes through it - but hopefully you all made it to step 5 - enjoying it with a big steaming plate of pasta in front of you.

1020 THINGS YOU WISH YOU KNEW BEFORE STUDYING ABROAD IN FLORENCEWell shoot, this could’ve been useful.

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SPRING BREAK MAPThe most popular destinations for a spring break spent in Europe (or Thailand, too).

INTERCAMBIODon’t know what it is? Maybe you should read Julia Raine’s article about it then.

15HOW TO PACKThe ultimate guide on how to pack when spending spring-time in Florence. 16

EDITOR DOUBLE INTERVIEWThe faces behind it all. (You’re welcome) 4

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McKenna Payne’s take on ISA weekend excursion to Rome - Lizzie McGuire movie refernece included.

A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE THINGS...From the best panini places to fabulous gelaterias, this list gives you the low-down of must-visit gems in Florence. 22

ISA STAFF EXCLUSIVEThey really needed some new photos. 24YOUR PHOTOSThe editors’ personal favorite page of the magazine. Photos that you took and sent in to us. Magazine? More like yearbook, amiright? HAGS!

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ISA EXCURSION: ROME 20

A GOODBYE LETTER TO FLORENCEMaddie Smith’s personal letter to Florence explaining the things she’ll miss most and the things she’ll never forget. 23

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSA thank you to everyone who made this magazine happen. Grazie e arrivederci!

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TELL ME SOMETHING IN ITALIANO!

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE GELATO FLAVORS?

Catherine Heath!

Chapman University, where I major in Film Production and minor in Graphic Design.

I really liked the classes offered here - I originally was going to go to Rome but once I saw they had a class that tied chocolate and therapy together - I was hooked.

I think it’s made me realize how independent I can be. Definitely traveling by my-self is challenging, but it makes you grow up a lot. Before I was terrified of some-thing like that but now I know I can do it if I needed to.

Vorrei un panino, graziePosso avere uno cono gelato?

Cioccolato e Stracciatella.Any fruit flavors! (They’re the best ones.)

EDITOR DOUBLE INTERVIEWCIAO BELLA, COME TI CHIAMI?

WHAT IS YOUR HOME UNIVERSITY? YOUR MAJOR?

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE FIRENZE TO STUDY ABROAD?

HOW HAS STUDYING ABROAD CHANGED YOUR MIND?

TELL ME SOMETHING WEIRD ABOUT THE ISA STAFF!***CENSORED***

4

EDITOR DOUBLE INTERVIEWCIAO BELLA, COME TI CHIAMI?

WHAT IS YOUR HOME UNIVERSITY? YOUR MAJOR?

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE FIRENZE TO STUDY ABROAD?

HOW HAS STUDYING ABROAD CHANGED YOUR MIND?

DO YOU HAVE AN ITALIAN BOYFRIEND?

TELL ME SOMETHING WEIRD ABOUT THE OTHER!

Melissa Leardi!

Chapman University, where I major in Film Production as well.

My father’s side of the family is Italian-American and my sister studied abroad in Italy and loved it.

It has allowed me to learn to live in the moment much more and broadened my mindset to understand other ways of living.

No, he’s Irish. ;)Yes, three of them.

TELL ME SOMETHING WEIRD ABOUT THE ISA STAFF!

Melissa’s boyfriends are imaginary. (Except for James, who is picking out engagement rings as we speak.)

Catherine has an Irish boyfriend.

***CENSORED***

Interview conducted by Daniele

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Our Favorite Pics on...

Our Favorite Pics on...

5 1. EXCITEMENT

5STAGESof

Studying Abroad

THE

2. CULTURE SHOCK

You’ve packed your bags, you’ve bought your adapters, you’ve made a list of places you want to travel - you’re ready to go. You can’t wait to be that obnoxious person that says “When I was living in Florence...” or “Well, in Italy they do it like this...” The memories, the food, the wine - it’s all at your fingertips! Just an eleven hour-ish plane ride standing in your way... but that’s nothing a

good comedy can’t make go by faster.

Okay... so it’s not what you expected. The Internet might’ve said that Italians wear darker clothing, but you didn’t really think you’d be the only one in the city with a brightly-colored jacket. Or maybe you

almost got hit by a car... four times in the last hour. Are they walking in the middle of the street? Is that

safe? Wow, so my class is actually REALLY far away.... Wait. You have to PAY for WATER?!?!

Article written by Catherine Heath

8

5Studying Abroad

2. CULTURE SHOCK

3. HOMESICKNESS

4. FAMILIARITY

5. ACCEPTANCE

This is definitely the worst of the stages. Maybe you felt this pang for home once or twice, or maybe it happened throughout the semester. Maybe you don’t usually get homesick. I mean, your college isn’t that far away from home, just a few hours

(by plane or by a car). But maybe it’s the extra thousands of miles, the inconvenient time difference, the less communication from people back home - it’s getting to you.

Being in a new place can be really lonely sometimes; and that’s when you miss the things that are most familiar to you.

Well, speaking of familiar... this ain’t half-bad. More time has passed... you’ve now learned what your favorite restaurants are (maybe your favorite bars...), made some new friends, explored the city, and you actually know where your

classes are... you could get used to this.

Okay, you did it. You made it through the five stages.

Congratulations! You have finally come into your own

in Florence. You could give a guided walking tour - that’s how familiar you are. You deserve a prize, really, you do. I suggest a big plate of

steaming hot pasta. (Pesto’s my favorite)

20 THINGSyou wish

you knewBEFORE

Studying Abroad

in

FIRENZE

Making the decision to study abroad will take a lot of time and effort. You’ll need to research the right program for you based on academics, location, and financial needs. You’ll take in a lot of information from friends, family, acquaintances, and any and everyone else who wants to offer up their opinion because trust me, they will. Sometimes it can be hard to process all that information so to make things a little easier, I’ve compiled a list of 20 things to know/wish you knew before studying abroad.

1. You’re going to get sick at least once.

It’s pretty inevitable. Between the stress you put on your body from, traveling, adjusting to a new environment, and trying to make the most out of a new experience, you’re sure to get sick at least once during your time abroad. Be prepared by realizing that being sick while abroad is very different than being sick at home or even at school. If you know that you’re prone to certain illnesses or your body works well with certain medications try to be prepared by bringing medications with you. Maybe this is number one on the list because I’m writing this post with the sniffles.

2. Mosquitoes are a pain. Florence is situated so the Arno river runs right through it. Usually where there is water there are mosquitoes. This isn’t something I considered when packing but I really wish I did.

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THINGS Be sure to check for things such as bugs local to the area that you’re staying in when you’re packing. If you forget bug spray or anti itch cream, like I did, don’t sweat there’s no short-age of it in Florence.

3. Air drying clothes is commonin Europe.

Your drying rack will be your best friend. 4. All about adapters

You’re going to want to find an adapter that works not only for your host country but for other places you’ll be traveling to. Make sure you also take note of the wattage of all of your devices. Hair straighteners for example may be blown out if you use them with an adapter so it might be best to buy one abroad. 5. You’re probably going to get homesick

That’s totally fine. People are complex and It’s totally possible to be having the time of your life and also missing your parents or best friends at the same time. 6. What the locals wear

Italy is a very stylish country. I didn’t pack a pair of sweats. While they would have been nice for traveling or relaxing indoors I surely knew that I wasn’t going to wear them in public so that I could better blend in with the Florentine people. Check out the weather for the months that you’re abroad and if you’re concerned with blending in look up bloggers from your host country. 7. How to get around

Florence is a walking city. You won’t miss your car and you won’t need the bus. If studying in Florence get ready to be on your feet. Figure out what means f transportation you’ll be using in your host country to get from place to place. 8. How to Budget

Get a general budget of how much you want to spend and on what. Some things to consider are travel, food, nightlife expenses, tourist attraction expenses.

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9. Conversion rates

Consider how much it will cost to do things like convert your money to the Euro, with-draw money from banks, and transaction fees for using your card. Each bank is different so be sure to ask yours directly.

10. Basic phrases in your host languageYou can get by on English in a lot of places but people appreciate when you try so speak the national language. Not only that but you’ll have a better time fully immersing yourself in the culture. To give yourself a head start use an online app such as Duolingo or Memrise. 11. Bathrooms aren’t free.Be prepared for public restroom fees. Usually they range anywhere from .50 to one Euro. 12. Traffic and rules of the roadEven if you don’t plan on driving there are rules of the road that ply to pedestrians and cyclists. Florence is very different than the United States and the people really don’t seem to be scared of cars. You’ll notice less stoplights, less stop signs, and less people seeming to care about whether or not they are going to cause a collision based on your very foreign standards. 13. Ice isn’t served in drinks.This one is miniscule. It’s not a big deal and doesn’t take a lot of time to adjust. But I noticed this being mentioned a lot before I departed. If you really feel you can’t live with-out it you can always buy an ice tray.

14. Grocery shopping habits of your host country.Food makes up a big part of a country’s culture especially here in Italy. But no matter where you’re studying it’s im-portant to know how to get your nutrients. I go grocery shopping more frequently while abroad than back home for a couple of reasons. My fridge is small compared to in America as is customary in Europe and I don’t want my food to spoil if I travel. One major difference about shopping in Italy is weighing and pricing your produce before purchasing it.

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15. Check Please!Il conto per favore? That’s Italian for ‘check please?’ and it’s a phrase you’re sure to use. When dining out servers are sure to be hospitable not rushing you out of the restaurant. If you wait for your server or hostess to ask you if you’re ready to leave you’ll be waiting forever. 16. Do you tip? And if so how much?In Italy tip is covered in coperto or the cover charge. Coperto isn’t usually more than 3 euro per person but is often cheaper. If you’re going to a caffe for a quick cappuccino or mocha don’t be afraid to avoid the coperto and drink at the bar like a local.

17. Bad meals are rare.Italians really care about their food. They also seem to really care if you enjoy their food. These two things make for great service and the chances of you eating a meal you don’t like extremely rare.

18. Takeout isn’t common in FlorenceBye bye leftovers. Won’t be seeing you for a while.

19. What you want out of your experience.It’s good to think about all the opportunities you’re going to have while you’re abroad before you go. Keep your goals in mind. If you want to be fully immersed in the culture remember that and be prepared to get out there and find your city’s hidden secrets. 20. You’re never going to want to leaveAnd lucky for you you can come back one day. But nothing will be the same as your first time studying abroad so make the most of it!

Article written by Amanda Ball

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ItalianSURVIVAL

Un tavolo per tre, per cortesia.

A table for three please.

Ci puoò portare il conto per favore?

Can we have the bill please?

Grazie e arrivederci!

Thank you and goodbye!

Ciao, come ti chiami?

Hi, what’s your name?

Come stai?

How are you?

Bene grazie e tu?

Well thanks and you?

Di dove sei?

Where are you from?

Sono Americana.

I’m American.

Posso offrirti qualcosa da bere?

Can I get you a drink?

Ti va di ballare con me?

Would you like to dance with me?

Ciao

Hello / Bye

Mi chiamo

My name is...

Piacere

Pleased to meet you!

Vorrei un panino

I would like a panini

Posso avere un cono gelato?

Can I have a cone of gelato?

Un bicchiere d’acqua, per favore.

A bottle of water, please

Che fai di bello questo fine settimana?

Are you doing anything exciting this

weekend?

Scusi

Excuse me

Che tempo fa?

What’s the weather like?

Mi sono divertito un sacco!

I had a lot of fun!

Dove abiti?

Where do you live?

Abito vicino al duomo.

I live near the duomo.

Quanti anni hai?

How old are you?

Ho venti anni.

I’m 20.

Parli inglese / spagnolo / francese /

tedesco?

Do you speak English / Spanish /

French / German?

Buona notte e sogni d’oro!

Good night and sweet dreams!

Quanto costa questa camicia?

How much is this shirt?

Posso provarla?

Can I try it on?

Posso pagare con carta di credito?

Can I pay by credit card?

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SURVIVALSoon after I arrived in Florence, I applied to be paired with an Italian language partner through ISA’s Intercambio program. This program essentially allows you to meet regularly with an Italian student for the purpose of you practicing Italian and them practicing English. The program was highly recommended, and I figured it would be a great way to learn some Italian, and possibly even make a friend!

When I walked into our first meeting (not knowing much other than the fact that I was accepted into the program and paired with someone), I was surprised to find not one but two Italians waiting for me - Gloria and Giorgia. Another American girl was supposed to join the group but she never made it, so the three of us went to a bar (which, by the way, is not the same as an American bar, but is more like a coffee shop) and talked for hours. I quickly realized that this program would be a highlight of my study abroad experience, and I was right.

Because the other American girl never showed, my roommate Rachel, who was on the waitlist for an Intercambio partner, was able to join our group as well! Gloria, Giorgia, Rachel, and I have gotten together every week to hang out, walk around Florence, practice some Italian, and learn from each other. Gloria is fun, sassy, and energetic. Giorgia is sweet, optimistic, and full of life. They both study linguistics at the University of Florence, and between the two of them are tackling English, Norwegian, Spanish, Russian, and of course, Italian. They have introduced us to many of their friends that study at the same university, and it has been incredible to hear their stories and learn from them as well.

In March, Gloria took us to her hometown of Vinci, where Leonardo da Vinci was born. We visit-ed Leonardo’s childhood home, her family made us a wonderful Italian lunch, and we explored the beautiful Tuscan countryside. We were even given a bottle of homemade olive oil from her father!

Through Intercambio, I have not only learned a great deal about Italian culture and language that I otherwise would have never known, but I have made two wonderful friends. Gloria and Giorgia have enriched my time here in Florence, and I am immensely thankful that I had the opportunity to meet them and learn from them through this program.

ISA INTERCAMBIOArticle written by Julia Raines

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HOW TO PACKBefore I left for study abroad, everyone told me to pack half as much as I thought I would need. That stressed me out; how could I possibly exist for four months with hardly any clothing?...But now, I wish I had listened more. I managed to pack everything into one suitcase and a backpacking backpack and I thought that was a good amount of luggage! I had more trouble with airline weight requirements than with space. Here are some packing tips that I wish someone had told me:

1. Make sure to check the weather. This is so simple, but I wish I had spent more time researching what the ac-tual climate in Florence would be like. I was pleasantly surprised when I got here to find that even in January and February, it doesn’t get much colder than 45 degrees. However, wintery clothes took up a lot of space in my luggage and I didn’t wear them as much as I thought. I also found out the hard way that it rains nearly every day in the winter, but luckily I packed enough rain gear. Make sure your rain gear is extra durable; my rain jacket stopped being rain proof by February!

2. Pack outfits that can be mixed and matched. Seriously, you will find yourself wearing variations of the same few outfits so it is important to bring neutrals that can be paired with many other things. In Florence, people wear a lot of black and neutral colors without anything too bright or loudly patterned, so that is something to keep in mind. An interesting thing about Italy is that people dress for the season, not the weather. For example, in February it might be 65 and sunny, but people will still be wearing winter coats and scarves. They also dress up a lot more. Wearing leggings and a t shirt is basically unheard of. I wear a lot of jeans, boots, and plain, basic tops with jackets or cardigans layered on top.

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3. Be willing to let things go. When I came abroad, I brought a lot of things that I had no intention of bringing home, so I would have room in my suitcase for souvenirs and new purchases on the way home. The cobblestone sidewalks and streets are terrible on shoes, and destroy them a lot faster than the streets at home. I brought an older pair of boots, and the soles were worn off in a month. I also brought some comfy t-shirts and clothes to sleep in that I don’t really care about just so I can leave them here.

4. Think about your destination. For toiletries, I brought only travel sized things to save space on the way here, and bought full sized ones when I got here. I also didn’t bring any hair dryers or straighteners and just bought them here which worked out just fine. They were pretty cheap and I will just leave them here! Everything is on a different voltage rate, so it is likely that you will break electronics you bring. The exception to this is laptops, cell phones, and camera chargers. It is important to bring enough converters /

adapters too! They are easy to find here, but it’ll be frustrating to not be able to charge anything right when you get here. If it is a phone, computer or camera charger, you just need an adapter, but anything else will need a converter. Also, make sure to bring copies of everything; passport, school acceptance papers, anything related to your visa and insurance paperwork. This will be important should you get stopped anywhere. Good luck!

HAPP Y P ACK ING!!!

Article written by Lauren Gomez

SPRING BREAK MAP

SPRING BREAK MAP

THAILAND

Rome. A city with an abundance of historic treasures, long built character that brings the town alive, and the tastes of spectacular food. Our first stop was the Colosseum. Nothing can compare to the sheer magnitude of this colossal structure. Just picture men fighting tigers and taking part in all sorts of dangerous challenges. It was interesting to see the mazes of hallways situated underneath the stage. Welcome to one of the first biggest events in history, as my event management teacher taught us. After this we went to the Forum, a place that contains a beautiful garden, a view of the city, and ancient Roman ruins. Being placed among the longstand-ing structures of the old world really puts youin a state of awe and perspective. Think of all the people who had walked there hundreds and hundreds years before you. They probably never even imagined their work would last all the way into the 21st century to be seen by people from all over the world. Determined to fulfill my Lizzie McGuire moment, we headed next to the Trevi Fountain. Toss a coin into the waters in hopes of returning to Rome someday. WARNING: Watch out for flying coins. They might make a permanent indent on your skull, but maybe give you just an extra bit of luck. I also met a man named Paulo and became an international pop sensation; what a COINcidence.

ROMEA weekend away in

AN ISA EXCURSION TRIPArticle written by McKenna Payne

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A weekend away in

Lastly on our free day, we headed to St. Peter’s Basilica. Our taxi dropped us off at the main street leading to the church, and my friends and I decided to buy four XL shirts

We later traveled to see the Pantheon and the Spanish Steps. At the top of the Pantheon, there is a dome with a hole, or oculus, that illuminates a particular en-trance on April 21st of every year; the day that Romans celebrated the founding of their city. The emperor would be illumi-nated in this area to greet his citizens. The amount of meticulous science and math used back in the day to design a build-ing like the Pantheon was extraordinary. Although the Spanish Steps were under construction, we climbed them to get to

the top of the hill and stumbled upon a breathtaking view of the city. That night for dinner, we tried a Roman speciality: an artichoke. I will tell you that this was the single best thing I ate in Rome. It beat the famous carbonara we had. It beat the waffle with Nutella and whip cream, for goodness sake. This artichoke was probably in the top five foods I ate in Italy.

stating “I <3 Rome” and “I <3 Papa Fran-cesco”. After putting these shirts on over the already many layers of our clothes, we headed to the line to get inside of St. Peter’s Square and see Papa Francesco, AKA Pope Francis, himself. Strangers came up and asked to take pictures of us. One man even placed his kid in front of us and snapped a pic, which I am sure will be in their family scrapbook for years to come. We later had the opportunity to hear the Pope speak to the large crowd of people in Italian. To see a huge and varied group of people come together with such joy and excitement was an experience like no other. Traveling to a city like Florence, but bigger in magnitude was an incredible opportunity. Rome is saturated with history and gives you a real life vision of what it would be like to live in the days of daring gladiators, architecture that looks as if it had been built by the gods, and ruling Roman emperors. Now all I can hope for is that my Trevi Fountain wish comes true and brings me back to Rome one day.

a few of our favoritethingsA FEW OF OURArticle written by Christina Greico

favorite thingsWHAT TO EAT AND WHERE

Dining in Italy is a larger part of the culture than you may think. Not only is it where family traditions are passed down through recipe, but coming together over a meal creates countless memories. It can be overwhelming at first, trying to decide where to eat in Florence. Let me save you time, money, and possibly bad gelato, and give you my favorite picks.

COFFEE + BREAKFAST• Ditta Artigianale // My personal favorite coffeeshop! It is beautiful, hip, and serve a big cappuccino. Also, they have great cold coffee options for the hot days. • Caffé La Posta // Located right next to the Piazza Della Republica, this is a great stop to grab a coffee and sit down for a bit. • La Vespe // This breakfast place is always busy, but so worth it if you can get a table. Their options are a nice change from the normal Italian diet. Have you missed your morning bagel? Get it here!

LUNCH• La Fettunta // An amazing place to grab a panini, definitely get the porchetta with either the garlic or truffle sauces. You will not regret it! (They also have a restaurant that opens for dinner!)• Pino’s // Pino is one of the happiest people I have ever met here in Florence. And you can tell he makes your panini with love! The pesto here is unreal, and each panini is only 4 euro.• Mercato Centrale // A must see when you come to Florence. If you get here before 2 PM, you can buy fresh produce, meats, bread, cheeses, etc. downstairs. Upstairs, dine on some of the finest and freshest Florence has to offer! Their pizza station is my favorite spot to have pizza, but they also have burgers, pasta, and more.

DINNER• 4 Leoni // Get the pear ravioli. Sounds weird, I know. Just do it. That is all.• Trattoria Nella // The cutest restaurant, with real “homey” food. Once, the chef walked out of the kitchen and gave a speech to everyone in the restaurant! • ZaZa’s // First of all, ZaZa’s has everything you could ever want to eat in Italy. The service is very friendly, and the food is extremely tasty. Make sure you end your meal with their chocolate cake!

DESSERT• Gelateria De Neri // Life-changing gelato • Vivaldi // On the other side of the Pointe Vecchio, another amazing gelato option. They have a great selection of cakes and teas to try as well! • Secret Bakery // For you night owls, enjoy a warm Nutella croissant (I nearly cried my first visit it was so good) for only a euro. All you have to do is follow your nose!

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My personal Florence

It seems strange that my semester studying abroad is coming to an end. I remember getting off the plane and taking a shuttle to my new city apartment. I was driving down foreign cobblestone streets that came to be streets I walk along everyday now. I remember passing every cafe and commenting on “how cute” it looked and thinking each restaurant I passed had a better menu than the last. I remember when I didn’t know the names of the piazzas and when I hadn’t yet discovered my favorite routes throughout the city. I remember the time before I became something of a Florentine.

With twenty days left in Italy, I have had a lot of time to explore Florence and make it my home away from home. In order to make somewhere your home, you have to find your routine and your places of comfort. I spent my semester making my own personal Florence and finding the places that make this beautiful city mine.

After many visits, I know which vendor at the Mercato Centrale sells the best salmon and which grows the juiciest pears. Whenever I want to sit in a café for a few hours and read or write in my journal, I always end up at Ditta Artigianale. I have sipped the best cappuccino soya at Andersen Cafe and enjoyed the best panino at Pino’s Sandwiches. I know that if the traditional Tuscan bread soup, Ribollita, is on the menu, I will look no further. If it is a beautiful day I love to sit in the Piazza della Republica with my sunglasses on, basking in the sun. When I have a full day in Florence, I dig for a ten-euro note and go lie in the Chestnut Meadow of Boboli Gardens. I often bring a book or my camera and I will spend hours in the gardens, far from the touristy areas. When I am wandering through the narrow streets, thinking of nothing but gelato, I always end up at Il Gelato Gourmet, or standing in a well-worth-it line outside of Eduardo. Il Gelato Gourmet delivers the best creamy white coffee flavor, while Eduardo tempts me with vegan almond or red wine sorbet. YUM! My favorite place to grab a drink is Art Bar. Their drinks are refreshing ad you cannot beat their happy hour! My favorite apertivo is at Kitsch because young local Italians surrounded us. I have visited an amazing wine bar, where I had the best red wine, called Enoteca Pitti Gola e Cantina. Next door is JT Caffe, where they make wonderful NY-style bagels. I suggest the Lox! My favorite restaurant is Cuculia, on the Oltarno side. I prefer the Oltarno side of Florence actually, it feels more preserved and local. There are beautiful shops and quirky cafes as well. My favorite clothing store in Florence is Zara but what I cannot resist buying are the journals, hand-made with the beautiful painted paper.

I do study while am abroad! If I need to get some work done I will go to the Biblioteca delle Oblate, which feels just like my school library back home in the States. For a more cozy and interesting location, I will study at La Cite, La Menagere, or Liberia Brac. All three of these places have been great study spots for me this semester and I owe my good grades to them!

I could go on and on about the best this and the best that but it wouldn’t matter. One needs to visit Florence for themselves and see all of the amazing sights, food, art, culture, and experiences that this renaissance city has to offer. I am sure other abroad students have their own lists, probabaly jotted down in their notes app, of their favorite places in Florence. I am going to miss living here, in a town that I spent 4 months making my home away from home. Thank you Florence, for an unforgettable semester. I have many favorites but my favorite city is YOU.

Article written by Maddie Smith

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Alessia FoianesiRESIDENT DIRECTOR

Perla SignoriITALY CUSTOM PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Antonio SantanaSENIOR HOUSING COORDINATOR

Stefano CasatiCULTURAL ACTIVITIES & CUSTOM PROGRAM COORDINATOR

ISA STAFF EXCLUSIVEIT WAS DUE TIME FOR A PHOTOSHOOT

“My hip makes a strange noise when I pose like a model.”

“I am pretty good at diagnosing people - even though I’m not a doctor.”

“I made Melissa and Catherine take a million photos of me just so I can nail this smolder.”

“My colleagues mock my new hipster style - but I love it!”

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Stefano CasatiCULTURAL ACTIVITIES & CUSTOM PROGRAM COORDINATOR

ISA STAFF EXCLUSIVELorenzo SeremediHOUSING & STUDENT CARE COORDINATOR

Daniele GiorgettiSTUDENT CARE COORDINATOR

Ola SmolenSENIOR ACADEMIC COORDINATOR

IT WAS DUE TIME FOR A PHOTOSHOOT

“I love to wear leather jackets! Even though my colleagues make fun of me... But I keep wearing them!”

“I am 6 inches taller then national Italian average for men!”

“My colleagues mock my new hipster style - but I love it!”

“Isn’t my name funny enough? I could not live in Spain! (Hola sounds like Ola) Want to have more fun? Come see my playing football!”

OUR PHOTOS

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OUR PHOTOS

AcknowledgementSPHOTO SUBMISSIONS

ARYA ASADIJORDANA BISCHOFFMCKENNA PAYNEEMMA FEDOROWICKBRIANNA CARLOCATYLER PORTERFIELDZOE JEROMEERIN DALYSAIGE SHEETSANNA KIENELAUREN GOMEZCATHERINE HEATH

ARTICLES

CATHERINE HEATHAMANDA BALLJULIA RAINESLAUREN GOMEZMCKENNA PAYNECHRISTINA GREICOMADDIE SMITH

LINDSAY KOTIN @LINDSAYKOTIN

ALINA HARESTAD @ALINAHARESTAD

CHRISTINA GREICO @CHRISTINAGREICO

JORDANABISCHOFF @JORDANABISCH

CATHERINE HEATH @LADIDAC

KELSEY HEFFERNAN @KELSEY_KICKS_ASS

ARYA ASADI @ARYAASADI

ISA STUDY ABROAD @ISAABROAD

EMMA RHODES @EMMA_RHODESS

ASHLEY WILHARDT @ASH_WILHARDT

MICHELLE GOOTKIN @MICHELLEGOOTKIN

ANDREW NAZARIAN @AYYYYNAHZER

JULIA SOLARI @JULIASOLARI

SARAH MARTIN @SSMARTIN

MCKENNA PAYNE @MCKENNAPAYNE

SAVANNAH MCCANN @SAVANNAHMCCAN

MAILE GRACE @MAIMAIGRACE

INSTAGRAMS

ARRIVEDERCI FIRENZE!

EDITORS/DESIGNERSCATHERINE HEATH

MELISSA LEARDIDANIELE GIORGETTI