Balancing Act
by Emma Rosen
We have officially spent one month in Florence. Time is a mysterious thing; when I’m sitting in class the minutes tick by in a sloth-like manner, but when I’m eating at a pizzeria with my classmates they’re roadrunner quick. This city is many things, but boring is not one of them. I feel as if I have only seen a slice of it (pizza references abound) even though I have done my fair share of exploring. The sunsets are surreal — imagine a soft, pinkish-orange glow gently touching infamous monuments of perfection. One of the most rewarding sojourns is crossing the Arno river.
All you have to do is traipse across one of the many beautiful bridges and the vibe completely changes from bustling yet touristy to a more local, authentic vibe. It is a city of learning experiences, both self-induced and provided by the school. One highlight as of yet has been the Renaissance Art class. It is an elective, so only a handful of us are taking it, which leads to a more intimate setting.
Personally, I’m a fan of this, but I almost feel bad for the students not in this class. We get to see and dig deep into some of the greatest work of art ever created. Also, we get to do so for free, even though most of these places have a decently steep entrance fee. So, out of this world art, a fantastic, endlessly knowledgeable teacher named Federica, and free entrance: some of my classmates are missing out big time! I’m mainly kidding, but really- this class is a must-take.
Later today we will make the climb up the Duomo and also get to experience its indoor splendor. I walk past it every day to school, which is an insane thing to say, and it will be a privilege to see inside.
The blister I have accrued on my right pinky toe protests this climb (thanks, Rome), but this is one experience I refuse to miss. If Michelangelo can be a sculptor, painter, architect, and poet, I can make this one climb. At least that’s what I will tell myself. Another bright spot in this first month has been getting to see different parts of Italy. My weekends have been spent not just exploring my city but others as well: Lucca, Barga, Tuscan countryside, Capri, Sorrento, Pompeii, Naples, Rome, and more. I have never felt so lucky as I felt when in a boat on the clear blue water in Capri, or sitting in the main square of Lucca people watching, or breathing the fresh air in Pompeii and seeing the incredibly well-preserved ruins. Florence might be my city, but Italy is my country, and it is a privilege to be here. Something important I have learned, besides the comparisons between free market economies and gift economies, what makes a church Renaissance style versus Gothic style, and how to say “I would like spaghetti please” in Italian has been another form of art: the art of balance. LIU Global is not for everyone. You have to have a certain amount of discipline in order to get the most out of both your classes and your personal life. This is true anywhere you are, but especially in a foreign country where you deal with a completely new set of challenges. An important thing to do is have some sort of routine. This need not be a robotic, completely planned out day, but instead rituals that ground you and make you happy. For example, when I have a morning class I have a very specific routine. Wake up at 7:40. Roll out of bed. Turn on my “good morning” playlist. Dance around my room. Drink a glass of water. Get dressed. Pack up my backpack. Head out the door. Walk to school. Stop at the great cafe across the street from the Florence School of Fine Arts called Quelo. Grab a breakfast sandwich (mortadella, or the ladies at the cafe will make me something special without cheese) and a cappuccino di soia. If I have time, eat and drink at the cafe. If not, take it to go, portare via.
Then I head to class and start my day. I’m not exactly the Arianna Huffington of morning routines, but it does the trick. Life abroad is a constant tipping of the scales, and sometimes the bustle of LIU Global can even obliterate the entire scale. So here and there we students find ways to balance it out ourselves. Some choose routines, some choose to exercise, some choose to surround themselves with good friends. But the only way you can maximize your learning while staying sane is to find that balance. Here’s to another month of working the scales.
