Thursday, February 10, 2011

Spring 2011 Semester Classes

Ciao Lovelies,

I have been through two weeks worth of classes already and I just absolutely love every single one of them! It's hard to believe that I've been here for a little over two weeks. The time has flown so quickly and I still look back to when I was at the airport by myself and it seems like just yesterday. I have to admit that as much as I love all five of my classes, it is quite annoying how they slip in extra fees and dues. I knew that I had to pay a lab fee for my cooking class but I also had to pay a fee for my art history class for museum entries and for my ballet class costume rental fees. I thought that should be covered under the entire program cost but it's not. Besides that small annoyance and the fact that the printers are in a different area than the library (super annoying as well), I will continue onto what I love about each of my classes.


Introduction to Art History:
So far, we learned about the the history behind the Renaissance and we took a visit to San Lorenzo Church where most of the Medici family members as well as the famous artist Donatello is buried. I learned that a church is built to be shaped like a cross. Upcoming visits include the Uffizzi Galleria where famous paintings such as Botticelli's Birth of Venus and La Primavera i held as well as The Academia where the famous David statue by Michelangelo is held. I purchased a museum pass, Friends of the Uffizzi, so that I can explore these museums as well as a bunch of other during my free time. 

Introduction to Ballet:
I was nervous for my first cass as I've never taken a ballet class before but I am surprised to learn how quickly I have caught on as well as trying to understand the teacher with her limited English.If she smiles it's good and if she corrects me, it's obviously something that needed to be fixed. I think having prior experience in ballroom has helped me slightly but I really wish that I chose and stuck to ballet at a young age. It's funny to wonder where I might be right now if I had...

Elementary Italian 1:
I love my professore and the fact that i have four years of high school Italian under my belt definitely helps a lot. right now, it's almost like a re-fresher course but I felt it was necessary to take level 1 again because almost nothing really stuck with me from high school. Alas, my mother and her whole side of the family speak fluent Italian and another regret is that I wasn't spoken to in Italian when I was younger. I could be bilingual, possibly been trilingual because I would have chosen another language to study.


Introduction to the Fashion Industry:
My professoressa is this cute older woman who wears a little balck dress to every class with different colored cardigans and a strong of pearls around her neck and in her ears. Tres chic! I love the fact that our classroom has large windows that when you look outside you can see an Emporio Armani store as well as having Louis Vouiton and Prada right down the street. I always pass  by really expensive designer stores on my way to the building (which also houses my Italian language classroom.) I'll dedicate a full post to this class as I have a lot of great notes thus far and there's only been two lectures!

The Food of Italy:
Yet another class that I might dedicate a post on because of all of the delicious recipes that the teacher has in store for the semester. Each week we explore the history behind the food of the different regions in Italy. Our first class was just an introduction with a visit to the Centrale Mercato. Today we made fresh pasta with walnut sauce and crepes Suzette.



I'm off to Barcelona this weekend. I'll see you all back in Florence with a recap of my long weekend adventure on Monday as well as my tips for traveling super light.

Arriverderci!

Eternally yours,
Stephanie

5 comments:

Closet Fashionista said...

oooh those are amazing classes!! YAYYY! :D
http://aclosetfashionista.blogspot.com/

Maddy said...

I know the feeling! don't you just hate when they add those little expenses? Well, at least you are having the time of your life and spending a semester fully emerging yourself in the culture! I couldn't think of a better class lineup to spend a semester in ITaly :)

daisychain said...

your classes sound pretty awesome! x

Cafe Fashionista said...

Congratulations Stephanie! You won the Frugal and Fabulous Giveaway! Stop by Cafe Fashionista to find out how to claim your prize! :)

Leeann @ Join the Gossip said...

I'd die to be in Italy and take an art history class! Amazing :)