My first day of orientation was on Wednesday in Accademia Italiana's building located off of Piazza Pitti on the otherside of the Arno River. I have to walk across the Ponte Vecchio to get to Accademia. On my way to orientation the first day, I stopped at a little pastry shop to get some breakfast. At orientation we received our schedules and little information bags about Accademia and Florence in general. Luckily I got all of the classes that I requested. We took a tour of the school and then two companies came to present different types of cell phones that we could purchase. Accademia provided us with a delicious lunch of pizza and pasta. Took a tour of Accademia's workshop building where the painting, photography and sketching classes are. This building is on the otherside of the river, where I live. We took a tour of the workshop building and got to go on the rooftop for a gorgeous view of the city.
After touring Accademia's buildings, we took a took a tour of Florence. We got to see the Duomo, Basilica di Santa Maria Novella, the train station, Piazza della Signoria and
Close up of Ponte Vecchio
the Ponte Vecchio. After orientation I
came back to the apartment and met my fourth roommate Nissa who is from Tennessee. Headed to Piazza Della Signoria by the Uffizi to meet up with some of the other girls to go out to dinner. Went to a pizzeria and ordered Chianti red wine and San Gimignano white wine. I really liked the white wine. The pizza was delicious! Italians sure know how to make a pizza!
On our second day of orientation I stopped by the same little bakery again
Eating sandwiches by the Santa Croce church
to grab a croissant and water. Then I went to Accademia for orientation. All the students were divided up to see what level of Italian class they should be in. The Accademia staff quizzed us on our Italian. I think I will be in the lowest level since I have no Italian experience! After our placement interviews, a company called Florence for Fun came to talk to us about different trips they planned for us to go on while we are here for the semester. Some of the trips sound really fun! After orientation I grabbed a sandwich from Caffe Mario and sat infront of the Santa Croce church and people watched. Got a cell phone and sim card so now I can call/txt friends on the same network for free! Stopped by the supermarket for some groceries then made dinner with the roomies.
Last day of orientation was Friday. Turned in Visa documents so that I can get a residence permit. Then my roomies and I set out to find our apartment agency to get internet! Finally got the internet situation figured out. Shopped in some of the stores in Florence. Made dinner and I taught my roomies how to play Eurchre!
It looks as though you are off to a great start in Florence! Have fun deciding which trips to take. :)
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