Benvenuto a Il Primo Blog

My name is Kimberly Guevara. I am a senior at the University of Denver studying Economics and Public Policy with an emphasis on Foreign Affairs. I’m also studying abroad in Florence, Italy! It has long been a dream of mine, and it’s finally coming true!

For the next four months, I’ll be sharing candid reflections from my study abroad experience in Florence– why I came here, what I’m learning, and what it really takes to make this dream possible.

L'iniztio di Tutto

When I was around eleven years old, my mom’s computer background had a picture of a small port with sailboats and colorful houses. I had never seen such a beautiful place. I knew that no matter what, I needed to make it there one day. After some research, I found out this place was located in Italy. (At the time, I thought it was in San Marino, only later realizing San Marino doesn’t even have a beach. It’s actually its own country, but even if I never saw the place in the picture, I was committed to Italy.)

Years later, I decided to take my first ever Italian course as a college freshman. As I learned about the language and culture, I wanted to experience Italy more than I could through just one visit. My professor suggested I look into our university’s study abroad program. That meant finding a program in Italy that was connected to my major, affordable, and immersive in both culture and language.

Mettere Insieme i Pezzi

Last year, I began the process of finding a program. Since I wanted to experience a smaller city, many options were ruled out right away. I also wanted classes tied to foreign affairs and the chance to live with an Italian family through a homestay. Lorenzo de’ Medici: The Italian International Institute (LdM), located in Florence, was the best fit.

After an extensive review process, I was accepted into the program at LdM to study Economics and live with a family. The next step: figuring out finances.

Many students know that studying abroad is not the most affordable. Start-up costs– like flights, insurance, visa fees, housing, and food– can add up quickly. Some students may decide to travel during their time, increasing the cost even more.

I began using the resources I knew I had. I met with my parents to create a potential budget. Then, I met with advisors, mentors, and other college students to learn about how they afforded their trips. Even though I would have a limited budget, scholarships and personal contributions could make it a possibility. I began applying for scholarships as soon as possible.

One of the scholarships was the U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman scholarship, which serves to develop a generation of future American leaders with career and professional skills, language ability, and knowledge of the world to foster relationships and build mutual understanding with other countries. I applied in early spring, worked with my university’s writing center and friends on essays about improving my Italian, learning about the culture, and studying Italy’s economy. In April, I was notified that I was selected. I am beyond grateful for this opportunity, especially because it allowed me to write this blog, with the hope of sharing how others can also have those opportunities.

I also applied to the Dante Alighieri Society of Denver Academic Scholarship for students in Denver who studied Italian in school and want to immerse themselves in the Italian language and culture. At first, I didn’t think I would qualify and almost didn’t apply, but thanks to a professor who quickly agreed to write me a recommendation and help revise my essay, I submitted the application.

I then need to tackle the practical details: flights, insurance, banking, data plans, and everything else that comes with living in a different country. After almost a year of preparation, my flight landed in Italy on September 2.

Gratitudine

As I write this blog during my first week in Florence, I acknowledge that there was a possibility I might not have received the scholarships, or that I would not have been able to save the rest. For first-generation students like myself, studying abroad can be daunting, but I’m grateful to have learned it truly is possible. I am especially grateful to my family, mentors, and programs who believed in my potential to study abroad.

I hope this blog is helpful if you are navigating your own study abroad journey. If you have already studied abroad, I hope it’s an enjoyable read. And, if you’re just here for the ride, thank you!

Per oggi, vi saluto. Ci vediamo presto :)