As this is my first time having the opportunity to travel outside of the United States, my first impression of Florence, Italy has been one of shock and overwhelmingness at times when surveying the contrasts between the cultures. The first and most notable difference I have observed is the architecture. While cities in the states tend to use more modern and innovative buildings, Florence embraces the architecture from previous centuries as the city is filled with buildings that date far before our lifetime. This respect and admiration for previous works can also be observed in the presentation of notable figures and their works from previous centuries. Throughout the city statues are present depicting artists and innovators who contributed to society, and their works are presented proudly for all to see. Also, the food is much more consistent; the dishes that restaurants sell is very similar, with most primarily being sandwiches, pizza, pasta, or gelato. This is a stark contrast to the United States, where most restaurants attempt to advertise variety from others to gain an advantage in the food industry. In addition to what the restaurants in Florence sell, who the restaurants choose to have sell them is different as well. While American restaurants aim to hire those who are most qualified for the job with the best efficiency, many Florence restaurants are family-owned and are proud to keep their staff limited to those in the family. Although it has only been a week, I have already learned plenty from being abroad, and as I continue to live in a foreign culture, I’m hoping to improve my ability to interact with people from other cultures, although the language barrier can make it difficult at times. I am also hoping to grow my independence and confidence through this trip. Immersing oneself in an unfamiliar culture is not easy, and being able to navigate it on one’s own is even more difficult, so I’m hoping that as I continue to adapt and familiarize myself with what Florence, Italy has to offer, I’m able to gain confidence in myself and improve my self-sufficiency.
