CAPA WORLD

Words by Emily Kearns, a CAPA Florence study abroad alumna. Emily will be writing a column called "Remembering Florence" on CAPA World the first Friday of every month.

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After being surrounded by the topics of study abroad and travel for the past nine months, it’s impossible to not constantly think of my time in Florence. As I advise students who are interested in going to this city, I’m always thinking of little tips and pieces of advice based off my experience that could help them prepare and feel more comfortable about their decision. Here are five tips that I want to share for future Florence study abroad students:

1. Explore the other side of the Arno

When I was abroad, most of the students on my program were placed in apartments on the side of the Arno closest to the city center. This made it easier to commute to the CAPA Center and explore a lot of the historical landmarks that are in the city. However, it’s a whole different world on the Oltrarno! This side tends to be a bit quieter, less touristy, and has a lot more authentic restaurants. While you should definitely visit all the tourist attractions and historical landmarks close to the city center, I also really recommend spending time on the other side of the Arno and seeing what it has to offer!

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You know that when you study and live in a new country, you'll be exposed to a variety of cultural differences that you're not used to. Over time, these unspoken rules become the norm and after a few weeks you'll be settled in and not even give them a second thought. But what happens to these new mannerisms when you return home? You might start to experience a phenomenon called "reverse culture shock", which is what happens when you find yourslef struggling to adjust to going back to old habits and places. Since it may take time to get used to your old (yet new) surroundings, we came up with 10 ways to help you acclimate to no longer being abroad.

1. Continue to do activities that you did while abroad

If you started playing a sport such as badminton while you were abroad, try to find somewhere where you can continue to play it. If you took up singing, join a choir at home! Whatever the activity or hobby is, don’t just give it up because you're not abroad. It is likely that you’ll be able to continue in a local club, or at your university.

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People often say to “live in the moment” and enjoy your experiences while they are in front of you. The unfortunate result of this is that soon after the “moment” is over,  you might start to forget your adventures. You might not even remember a dream you had last night if you don't write it down! It's important to strike a balance between experiencing something in person, and taking photos and videos to have tangible memories.

Here's a list of the top 10 ways to take capture your memories abroad as efficiently as possible, without impeding on your everyday activities.

1. Take photos at the right rimes

There's no point in constantly taking photos or videos. When something interesting or unique is happening around you, take your camera out, snap a few pictures, and then continue to take in your surroundings in person. Getting stuck behind the camera lens can sometimes feel more like a chore than it should.

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When you're studying abroad, taking photos is a must. You’ll want to post pictures in the present and look at them many years from now. There is a huge difference between average photos and great photos, and we’re here to help you get from the former to the latter! Whether you’re taking pictures on a smartphone or a camera, here are our top 10 tips to help you improve your photography skills.

1. Have your camera with you everywhere

Nowadays technology is making our devices smaller and smaller so it’s very easy to keep your phone in your pocket or purse. Just in case you go somewhere unique or see something exciting, you can pull your phone out and be snapping in just a few seconds!

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