A Thing Called JETLAG

It is 4:05 am and I am currently looking over the River Arno through the window of my apartment trying to take in all that is around me. After a hectic traveling period full of flight delays, switched terminals, and near taxicab collisions—I’m finally here. And I can’t believe it.

Florence is truly a beautiful city. While initially driving into the city, I was actually quite surprised at how rundown the city appeared to be similar to downtown LA or even Mexico. As my cab driver was speeding through tight side streets and roundabouts, the historic city of Florence that I had always imaged began to appear. Exclusive boutiques and fragrant restaurants are located at the bottom of buildings that seem to have been around for hundreds of years. I was dropped off at the Lorenzo De Medici main office and was overwhelmed by lots of luggage and other confused international students. It was all a bit overwhelming at this point, seeing as I had to keep track of my luggage with passport in had while trying to thank my cab driver in Italian, but I knew it would be an experience worth while . After checking in I took another cab to my apartment where I would be staying for the duration of my trip. My apartment is located in a very historic part of town directly on the River Arno one bridge down from the Ponte Vecchio. I think I got lucky with this one. The apartment is located right above one of the most famous restaurants in all of Florence and has a great view of the top of the Duomo and other famous sites. The apartment consists of three rooms (fairly descent sizes) that I share with 5 other roommates from all around the US. We have our own kitchen, two bathrooms, and living area. The apartment is less than 10 minutes walking distance from the school, and is centrally located to all major sites in Florence.

Now that I am finally here I have the anticipation of going out and seeing everything. I have this week free to go explore the city and then get oriented until school starts at the beginning of next week. As of now I will be taking an Intermediate Italian language course, Italian Philosophy, Business Marketing, Psychology, and an oil painting lab. I’m excited to get familiarized with the city, start back up on my Italian (because it been more than a year since my last Italian class) and start traveling and absorbing the culture.

It’s only the first day, and I’m already having a blast! I just need to get over this jetlag…

United Airlines Flight 0924

In approximately 7 hours I will officially be on my way.

With a couple layovers in between (Chicago and Frankfurt) I will be en-route to Florence to finally live this whole 'study abroad experience' that I have been dreaming of for the past six months. People keep asking me if I'm nervous or excited...and its a combination of both, but so much more than just those feelings. Its overwhelming knowing that for the next five months I will be thousands of miles away from everyone and everything I am so familiar with. This scares me. The fact that I will be completely immersed in a new culture really excites me. I'm ready for the challenge, and can't wait for this new chapter of my life to begin.

This past week I met up with some of the students that went to Florence last semester and they all said it was "life changing". The thought of an experience like this having the impact to change my life is a bit overwhelming--in a good way. Change is sometimes hard to accept, but this is a change I can't wait to experience.

Have to go finish packing! wish me luck!

(oh yeah, trying to fit MY LIFE in two suitcases and one carry-on is quite the challenge. any tips?)

One Week

I officially have one more week here in the United States. At this point I'm really excited about leaving for Florence. This past month has been a rollercoaster of emotions-- from sad days I wish I wasn't leaving, to days full of excitement. I have a lot of last minute things to do before I leave, but I can't wait to finally get there.

I got my living arrangements last week and will be living in a flat with 5 other guys (2 per room) on the river that flows through central Florence. I tried finding my apartment on Google Earth, but the Italian addresses aren't like the US, so they are much harder to find. Hopefully everything will work out with short walking distance to school and my other friends around the city. There is no dorm at the school (Lorenzo de Medici) that I am attending, rather, there are apartments scattered around the central part of the city. The city is very small and close in proximity, so it only takes a few minutes by foot to get from one part of town to another.

7 DAYS!

Admissions Update

This interterm I decided to stay in Orange and work in the Admissions Office before I leave on January 29th for Florence. I am taking this time to catch up with friends before I leave and make some extra cash (if i dont spend it first) to spend while I'm abroad.

The admissions office has been CRAZY lately. The deadline for regular admission for Fall '08 was this past Tuesday, January 15th and we've had buckets and buckets of mail ever since. We have been stuffing lots of acceptance packets that started going out on the 15th, and will be rolling (meaning sending out more letters as decisions are made) from then on. Many students have been asking about late transcripts, teacher reccommendations, and other odd application parts. Just so you know, as long as you have the main portion of you application postmarked by the January 15th deadline you will be considered for admission. We understand that sometime these additional application parts get lost, misplaced, or are forgotten by teachers so we understand why they are sometimes late. Unfortunately we are unable to start reviewing your application until ALL of the application pieces are in our office--so get them in as soon as possible. ALSO, many students have been calling in asking to see if all of their application documents have been received. It takes 2-3 weeks to process all documents (because of the influx of applications this year) so, even though your webadvisor might say you are missing a part of your application, it is most likely in our office and is in the process of being put into your profile--so no need to worry.

Please feel free to contact the Office of Admissions or comment on this blog if you have any further questions!

Climate Change

I've lived in southern california all of my life. Sunny skies and warm weather ALL YEAR ROUND. A little bland? yes, but definately one of the great things about living in California.

Today the weather in Florence is currently 50 degrees and rainy...and it doesnt look like its going to change anytime soon. I've heard that there are more seasons in Florence, which I'm looking forward to, but its going to be a tough transition.

13 MORE DAYS!

THE plan

I've been spending a lot of my down time duing interterm perfecting my travel plans during and after my study abroad semester. The semester starts on January 29th and ends May 17th (about the same length as the semester here at Chapman). I will be attending Lorenzo de Medici University in the heart of Florence. During the semester I plan on traveling inside of Italy as much as I can and plan on traveling outside of the Italy once my program is over. After the school semester, I will be sending all of my luggage home and backpack for five weeks with two of my close friends from Chapman. We are starting off with a contiki cruise through the Greek islands then off to Turkey, Hungary, Czech Republic, Croatia, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Spain, and France. There are a lot of plane tickets, euro rail passes, hostels and train passes that need to be ordered, but its definately in the works!

Travel while you're young...right?

Interterm

It is currently interterm here at Chapman. Interterm is, in essence, a winter session or condensed teaching period during the month of January. During this time students take classes that they might not want to take over the course of an entire semester or have the opportunity to go abroad through different travel classes. (For example, I have a friend in London with the London Theatre Tour. ) Some students also stay home during this time to work or have extended winter breaks. My freshman year I went on the University Choir Recruitment Tour, last year I had an internship with Rogers and Cowan in Los Angeles, and THIS is my first interterm here at Chapman.

Interterm is much more laid back than during the semester. There aren't as many people around, and there is a lot more down time. This interterm I spend my time working in the Admissions Office and catching up with my friends before I leave for Florence. My week consists of lots of dinner-dates and coffee trips. Cherry on Top is also a popular destination. (one of the most popular frozen yogurt stores around the area). I've also been planning side trips while I'm in Florence, and some other travels after my Study Abroad program is finished.

21 MORE DAYS.

A Croatian Christmas

This past winter break (it is now interterm) I went with my family to my mom's 'homeland', Croatia. I have heard stories about how my mom came over to America from (former) Yugoslavia when she was 9 years old...on a freight boat...blah blah blah. ANYWAYS. After years of stories of her youth, we finally took a family vacation to Croatia to see the sites and meet up with some extended family.

Croatia is located on the Adriatic Coast also called the Dalmatian Coast, across from the Italian 'boot'. It is a series of small and large costal towns that caputre the essence of the european lifestyle. Every meal we had was at least six courses and took up to four hours each--much different from the fast food and 30 minute meals here in the states. All the locals were very warm and welcoming and had a layed-back approach to living.

Ever since 1991, when Croatia finished the war against the Serbians, Croatia has been crowned the 'Jewel of the Adriatic' and has become a huge tourist spot. The crystal clear water is seen as the brightest blue from the moon, and world renowned beaches and wildlife. My family and I went to six different cities in Croatia some with clear. sunny skies on the beach, to the inland captial, Zagreb, at a chilly -10 degrees. Overall it was truly a great experience, and I cant wait to go back this summer!

Split, Croatia.

Dubrovnic, Croatia with the family.

Zagreb, Croatia.

Current Exchange Rates

Its time to start saving up.

1.47 US Dollar= 1 Euro
1.97 US Dollar= 1 United Kingdom Pound