Ritmo d'Autunno: Viaggi, Studio, e Conessioni

Coming back from fall break, I’m sure many students wished it was just slightly longer (or shorter!). The past few weeks have been exciting, full of new friendships, but also very busy.

Fall Break

During the second part of fall break, I made it to Portugal to visit one of my best friends. We knew it would only be possible to visit each other if I could make it to Italy. It was a wonderful time spent with her friends and family. It was also very interesting to communicate using Spanish while having someone respond in Portuguese.

A Slow and Steady Restart

Just like that, fall break was over, and we hit the ground running with classes. It took a few days to get back into it, but spending a few days really focusing paid off! I prioritized getting some assignments done, including some final essays. It also created some bonding time with friends while studying. If you’re ever in Florence, the Oblate Library is an amazing spot for studying!

More specifically, I have an exam coming up for my European Union class. We will go over an opinion piece by an EU researcher and write an essay based on their thinking and claims. In my International Business/Economics class, we recently learned about various international monetary and trade institutions, the value of the Euro, and the economic systems of different countries. It was very interesting to learn about the ways supply and demand can shiftbased on consumer preferences, especially how it can affect trade preferences or policies.

Steps Into the Future and Pitch Competitions

This week, I am excited to get my proposal for my final project at the Liceo approved. I chose to teach English because it has become one of the most important global languages. Those who can understand and speak it often have an upper hand in many areas.The final project involves a small lesson and a pitch competition. Many of the students study and hope to pursue careers within the arts. This means they are likely to sell their ideas or artwork, or apply for competitive internships and jobs. As networking has become crucial to advancing a career, I will teach students to master their 30-second elevator pitch, create an outline for their own, and practice. We begin with a mini lesson about the art of the pitch. Then, we go through an imaginative case study about Franco, a high school student who landed a role with a nearby coffee shop as a graphic designer and social media intern. Students use an open template to create their pitch. Those who feel comfortable will then compete in a pitch competition for a chocolate figurine. Let me know what you think! Does this sound like a strong idea?

A quick moment of Reflection

I've realized it’s easy to get caught up in the hype of studying abroad. You'll get to travel. You’ll get to know new friends, new languages, and try things you would have never imagined existed. My advice? Get to know the people in your area as well! I have made an effort to be in Florence every Sunday and attend church. This has led to friendships over gelato, Peruvian food, day trips, Día de los Muertos celebrations with FSOs, and, most importantly, a deeper connection to Italy. I have loved improving my Italian daily while making connections with people from all over the globe. I hope you can too!