Milano è una bella città...

...ma mi preferisco Firenze più di Milano.

Signs of Christmas in front of the Milano Duomo~!

As you may know, I missed my flight to Edinburgh the other day so I've been bumming it out with a friend of mine who is studying abroad in Milano. Milano has a lot of charm and I can see why many fall in love with this bustling metropolis city. But I must admit, Firenze will always have my heart. There's just so much more beauty and charm. I love being able to step outside my apartment and walk the same streets as all the famous artists did and to see their works sprawling over the city. Milano has the same but that beauty is hidden by all the things that make up a city. Towering buildings and large billboards cover all the Italian artistic beauty. Milano is a beautiful city but I will always prefer Firenze over Milano.

HO FINITO!

I am done with FINALS WEEK, packing, cleaning, and moving out of my apartment.

Sadly, I overslept and missed my train to the airport to begin my winter break adventures. I took the next train out, hoping that I'd still be able to make it to my flight but the heavy snow on the train tracks caused a slight delay and I missed my flight. Thank God for Michelle. She's letting me stay at her place in Milan until I flight out to Paris to begin my Winter Break adventures~! <3

This past semester has been an emotional roller-coaster ride. I've had the greatest of ups, the lowest of downs. But overall, I enjoyed every moment of it, or at least came to terms with accepting what happened. I had a rough start and ending with my roommates. The cultural differences made it really hard for me to understand them and for them to understand me but I think we ended on a positive note. I've made some amazing friends and I will never forget their friendships. I'm going to miss them so so so much! I can't imagine Florence without them... But cheers to the end of the semester and for the new adventure that lies ahead! c:

Thanksgiving Weekend in Budapest!

Its finals week. So what better way to procrastinate than by updating my blog? 

Spent my Thanksgiving weekend in Budapest with Kayleen and Michelle! And guess what? Our flights cost only 99 cents! I repreat, 99 cents! So add in taxes and our roundtrip flight cost 15 euros! Talk about budget traveling! 

Our excited faces when we landed in Budapest! 

Budapest!

Besides spending Thanksgiving night sleeping at the airport, Budapest was wonderful. Its the perfect place for travelers on a budget. You can buy alcohol for as cheap as 20 cents a shot! The sole most expensive thing I spent my money on was my entrance ticket into the Budapest's renowned Thermal Baths and that alone cost less than 20 euros!

Budapest is so rich in its history. Every where you go, you can see remnants from its days under the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the impact of communism, and the growing capitalism of today. Architecturally, judgendstil architecture embellishes many of the buildings and creeping besides these buildings are the drastically compact and plain communist buildings.  Throughout the town, the colors of fall decorated the trees while Christmas ornaments could be seen all throughout the main piazzas of Budapest. I loved the Christmas markets! It was as if I was walking through a winter wonderland filled with all things Christmas, delicious foods, and amazing arts and crafts.

The thing about traveling that I love so much is the different people you get to meet. The people in our hostel were so friendly, especially the staff. If you ever happen to visit Budapest, stay at the Groove Hostel. The staff let us check in at 6am in the morning, gave us so many tips and pointers for where to get the most authentic Hungarian food, have a good night out, etc., arranged a taxi for us back to the airport so we wouldn't get gipped off, and let us chill in the hostel instead of having to spend another night at the airport (they even offered us the bed!) Its funny because many people say that Hungarians come off as unfriendly but I think they're one of the most friendliest people I've met so far! It shocked me to hear how as a post-communist nation, the people of Hungary still continue to think in very communistic ways. Maybe that's the reason for the unfriendly vibes?

Did I mention that we got to meet up with Julia?!?

Hummus! Gyahh! 

But when I booked my flight to Budapest, I was really looking forward to the baths so I was thrilled to have spent my Sunday night relaxing and enjoying the nice heated mineral waters of Budapest! LOVE LOVE LOVE The water was so warm and relaxing and then jumping in from the hot sauna to the ice cold water and back outside into the cold air...it was definitely the break from school that I needed. Not to mention that Kayleen and I met two Canadians who stroke up a conversation with us. We were both quite positive that they wanted to ask us out for drinks but since we were clear that we were leaving that night, I think they didn't bother (shucks!). It was nice to meet fellow North Americans...a little piece of home away from home. I can't wait for more adventures with Kayleen and Michelle! <3

Finals Week.

Bring it.

My first finals week in a foreign country. Its a lot different from what I'm used to. This whole having exams in addition to essays and projects (due the same week) is starting to get to me. I know I should not have procrastinated but its so difficult not to especially when you're in a foreign country. You only have so much time to enjoy it with the people that you've gotten so close to this past semester that, you know, you have to put off studying to spend a couple of hours or days hanging out with them. #yolo But the most difficult thing about Finals Week in Italy is that there's no sufficient place to study. I've never been good at being productive in my room but the library is only open until 9:30 and the public library in Firenze is closed on Sundays and has restricted hours on Mondays. Yay me! One paper and two finals for tomorrow, then one oral exam on Wednesday, and two more finals on Thursday separating me from Winter Break adventures!! :D

The Hardest Thing...

The hardest thing about studying abroad...

Its not the classes.

Its not the language barrier.

Its not adjusting to the cultural differences. Although that was a big challenge.

Its having to say good-bye to all the amazing people at the end of the semester. Its crazy to think how fast the semester went by. And how much you can get to know a person within a semester's span! I will miss all of the friends I've made this semester. Even though all of us will be returning back to their homes in different areas all over the world, everyone will still have a special place in my heart. Friends forever <3

Brittany and Albiola <3

Jimin and Mahea <3

Jimin, Michelle, and Briana <3 

Jessi and Brianne <3

Anna <3

Volunteering at an Italian High School

With my group! 

I had the privilege to go to an Italian high school to help them improve their conversational English.  The school we visited was called Liceo Artistico Leon Battista Alberti.  The school is divided into various campuses throughout Florence, each campus focusing on a specific subject.  This school that we visited in particular was the art school.  As soon as we walked in, we saw walls lined with artwork that had been done by the students.  Seeing all of this, made me wish that my high school had emphasized the fine arts a bit more.
Talking with the students, I was very surprised to find out their ages.  They ranged from as young as 14 years old to 18 years of age.  I never realized how distinct differences in age were in your physical appearance and level of maturity!  Even though they were very young, almost all of them smoked cigarettes!  They asked me to come with them during their 15 minute break to smoke a cigarette.  I don't smoke so I just went outside with them, tried my best to not cough, and continue talking with them.  For fun, high school students in Italy go out with their friends to the bars.  Before the recent change in the law, they could buy cigarettes and alcohol at 16.  They can also ride motorcycles (vespas) as early as 14!  Their faces dropped in disbelief when I told them that in America, you had to be 21 years old to buy alcohol. :P  I asked them what kind of music they listened to and they replied back with the names of American singers and bands.  From Bob Marley to Rihanna to Beyonce.  I asked them about Italian music and they said no one their age listened to Italian music.
Its crazy how different schools in Italy are compared to America!