melissa grace kreider

Last night my roommates and I decided we needed to go out and have a little fun. Actually, I assume none of us felt like cooking. I digress-we all decided to go to visit a chain of Gusto. Now, Gusto has three locations in Firenze: Gusta Pizza, Gusta Osteria, and Gusta Panini. Gusta Pizza is, as one can hopefully assume (if you are blessed with common sense), a pizza shop. Gusta Osteria features pasta and desserts, some aperitivo (appetizer). Gusta Panini boasts, uh, many different types of paninis.

On this particular night, we visited Gusta Pizza on via dei Maggio (vee-A day MASZ-io), located about a block away from our apartment. We had heard around town and from relatives who know Florence that Gusta Pizza possesses the very best pizza in Florence itself. We were skeptical and decided to check it out ourselves.

I am going to tell you now-the locals and relatives were not lying. Though I got a marinara, vegan-friendly pizza, it was the very best pizza I’ve ever tasted in my Vegan Life. All the ingredients are fresh and strong, the crust was that perfect balance between chewy and crispy. The atmosphere is homey and that staff is very friendly. My roommates ordered cheese pizza, pepperoni pizza, a salami calzone, and they agreed! There’s no doubt about it, I will be going back here.

Oh, and I’m not complaining that they made our pizzas in heart shapes either.

We are true believers in Gusta!

This is the Ponte Vecchio (PON-te Vekh-io). The current structure was completed in 1345...which is a very long time ago. I can't even imagine what has taken place on this bridge! Most things in this country are more of the same-old. The history of Italy dates back way farther than our country, the United States, could ever hope to.  I continue to hear bit and pieces of the history of Italy and I'm very impressed. The vast, [seemingly] never-ending story of Italy's history makes me prance away from even tackling it (but I'm certainly trying), and each day it makes me realize how young my country really is. Take a moment today and think about it! This bridge, the Ponte Vecchio-1345. The American Revolutionary War took place 1775-1783. I hope this puts it into perspective for you!

Ciao for now!

My apartment has not yet been blessed with the beautiful, beautiful gift of Wi-Fi. We were supposed to get a visit from what we are referring to as “the internet guy” on Monday morning, 9:30 AM, but apparently in Florence it is common to not show up to work. Mama Mia!

      I arrived on Wednesday the 25^th in the Florence airport, jet-lagged and fatigued, and the thing I feared most happened-my luggage had not been loaded on to my plane! Thankfully the things I needed most were not lost, simply left behind in Rome.

      Nonetheless, it didn’t arrive until Thursday afternoon and I had to wear the same clothes as I did on the plane to my host college’s orientation. I don’t know if you have ever traveled for thirteen hours straight, but your clothes do not feel clean afterwards. I explored the streets around Hotel Mediterraneo during our break and found necessities and a new shirt. Note: any excuse for shopping in Italy will be used.

       This city is teeming with beauty! Each time I leave my apartment I laugh to myself because I literally can’t believe I’m in Italy. THE Italy: the cheese-making, wine-tasting, beautiful-people capital of the world.  I wander through the streets and I’m taken aback by how unique everything is.  Florence is steeped with history and you can feel it when you walk.

        When I have some extra time, I’ll be sure to clue you in on some of the many cultural differences I’ve experienced already! For now, though, you’ll be getting a lot of photos from me! 

In less than twenty-four hours, I'll be jetting off for my shiny-new-experience in Florence, Italy! The thirteen hours of flying/layovers will be completely riveting...right? 

I could leave you clever packing tips and save you from your traveling woes.  I could use my words to shine a light upon your "Too-Many-Clothes or Not-Enough-Room?" debate. To be honest, I threw every dress, shirt, pair of pants or piece of jewelry I could fit into my luggage and hoped for the best. I will tell you one thing, though, rolling your shirts rather than folding them will save massive amounts of room! Keep that in mind; and don't forget who told you! 

I'll see all of you across the pond-in the future (+6 hour time difference)-on Wednesday. When I arrive to my apartment with the sixty stairs and my almost-too-heavy luggage, I'll shrug my shoulders to the men who will inevitably shuttle me there and tell them that I played the sousaphone in high school; sixty steps and fifty pounds are a piece of cake.

-m.

Are you planning on studying abroad, or even rolling the idea around in your mind? You may think that you could NEVER study abroad because it’s just too expensive, out of reach, etc. You’re wrong! You’re very, very mistaken. In fact, studying abroad is easier and more accessible than ever before. You could very well be on your way to Europe, Asia, Australia, Japan – anywhere!

1) Figure out where you want to go! Write down a list of two or three places that you’ve always wanted to go and you think will benefit your major and help you gain experience in your field.

2) Visit the Office of International Programs located in Polsky Room 483. You may even want to call ahead at (330) 972-6349 to let them know you're stopping by! This will allow them give you the attention you need and deserve as a student abroad student. While you're there, you can get questions answered and an idea of possible programs offered.

To be extra prepared, explore:

Exchange and Affiliate Programs 

or

Summer and Other Programs

 3) Visit Study Abroad 101 with programs in mind! This site has student reviews of every major study abroad program out there! It was very helpful in making my decision to travel with Study Abroad Italy. 

4) Talk it over with your parents, friends, and relatives! Let them know what you're up to-sometimes this study abroad business can be full of tough decisions. You might be surprised how much talking through something can help you make a decision!

5) Finances, Finances, Finances. This is truly the most stressful piece of any study abroad experience. Money. Thousands of scholarships are offered each year, and one of the most helpful websites I've found is StudyAbroad.com. Use their Quick Search at the top to find degree-specific scholarships! 

You might find yourself needing to take out a loan for you study abroad semester or year. Don't worry-it's completely worth the stress in the end! To make it easier, the two most legitimate private bank loans I've experienced are SallieMae and CitiAssist. These are especially useful if you are attending a private, non-UA-affliated program.

6) Fill out the "Application to Study Abroad" form and your "Transient Credit" forms. You will receive these when you make your decision to study abroad with the Office of International Programs! Your Application form simply states where you are going, when, and why. This will alert your Advisor and the Dean of your college that you don't need to enroll for classes the semester/year you will be gone and won't boot you out of UA. 

Now, this is where it gets just a little tricky. To my knowledge, if you are traveling through an affiliate program, the courses offered there will automatically transfer as equivalents to major classes offered at UA. All you need to do is fill out the Transient Student Abroad Report stating that you will be receiving credits elsewhere. 

If you happen to not quite find what you're looking for through the University of Akron's like myself, you will have to fill out a Transient Credit form. This lovely piece of paper (which you will become almost TOO well-accquainted with) can be found in the Office of International Programs. Your wonderful Transient Credit form will need to be signed multiple times approving the classes you've chosen to take as equivalents to the classes offered at UA. After it is signed by the correct people (your advisor, program head, etc), you must make copies for each one of them and yourself. Pass them out. 

Getting your credits approved when studying through an alternate program is SO. IMPORTANT. I cannot stress this enough. Students have neglected this step and left it for when they return to UA. Oftentimes, it turns out that the classes they have taken abroad had absolutely no direct equivalency at UA. 

That's right-the credits they earned abroad are no good because no one approved direct equivalency. Who wants to deal with that? If anyone knows how tedious Transient Credit forms are, it's me. However it's procedure and it will make your return so much easier. You will feel immense relief once you get you Transient Credit forms in order.

7) Take all Transient Credit forms to your school abroad. If you are going abroad through an alternate program, you must present those forms and request a transcript to bring back to the States once grades are posted - another important step!!

After you've chosen your program, filled out your forms and gotten ALL the copies, you can begin the fun. By fun I mean collecting papers for your passport, student visa, entry, country information and flight information! Preparing to study abroad in itself is a huge learning experience, and it can sometimes get extremely frustrating. You just have to keep your eye on the prize and push through - it'll all be worth it!