Academic Culture in Florence

Author: 
Emily Bosworth, Engineering Perspectives of the Renaissance and Sustainability: Florence- Summer 2023

 
Studying abroad in Florence gave me a completely different academic experience compared to my time at Pitt in Pittsburgh. The school portion in Florence was all about being interactive, integrating art and culture, and finding a good balance between learning and exploring. One big difference was how interactive the learning was. Instead of just sitting in a classroom at Pitt, I got to go to museums and art galleries as part of my studies in Florence. Seeing famous paintings and sculptures up close made the subjects more interesting to me, personally. It helped me understand and appreciate the material better, and I could chat with my classmates and professors about it. This interactive style made me feel more connected to what I was learning.
 
Also, the classes in Florence were longer than what I was used to at Pitt. It seemed a bit intimidating at first, but it turned out to be worth it. The longer sessions gave us more time to really dive into the subjects and have deeper discussions and activities. The professors knew how to make the lessons interesting and fun, so the longer class periods went by quickly. It was a good mix of lectures, interactive chats, and hands-on stuff that made the classes not only educational, but also entertaining.
 
One thing I really liked about the academic scene in Florence was how we had a good balance between schoolwork and exploring the city. The class schedule gave us enough free time to go out and explore on our own. I had enough time to explore Florence by wandering the streets, checking out historical places, and trying out the food outside of the classroom. It felt like a good balance between doing school stuff and having my own adventures.
 
To wrap it up, the academic culture in Florence was somewhat different than my experiences at Pitt. The way they integrated art and culture, interactive learning, and the mix of schoolwork and exploration made it an interesting academic experience. Studying abroad in Florence opened my mind, deepened my understanding of the subjects, and let me fully embrace the rich culture of the city. It was a fun academic adventure that mixed learning and new culture in the best way possible.

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