La Mia Nuova Casa
Written by Katie February 3, 2015
Taking in the view of the Swiss Alps
View from my room. Good morning, mountains!
Stopped at St. George Hill on our hike to Asolo
The charming town of Asolo
Greetings from Italy!
The past week has been everything from hectic to exciting to breathtaking. After a tearful farewell to my parents and sympathetic smiles from strangers, I boarded the plane from Minneapolis. The timing could not have been better as I ran into other students in the program and we navigated our way to the designated gate.
The journey overseas felt like a stretch of three days combined into one with countless new faces, changes in scenery, and of course, a lack of sleep. With so much excitement, I only managed to sleep for ten minutes of the ten hours spent flying. The final stretch from Amsterdam to Venice was definitely a highlight. As we departed the hazy city of Amsterdam, I was skeptical whether we would be able to see the Swiss Alps from above. Fortunately enough, it made taking in the view all the more exciting as I tried to decipher the clouds from the mountaintops.
I quickly settled into my room before attending program orientation and a campus tour of Istituti Filippin, Later that night, some of the students took a bus to the local mall. The culture shock set in as I navigated the grocery store. Seemingly simple items such as shampoo, lotion and snacks were surprisingly different than what I was used to. Not only were the aisles marked in Italian, the products were as well, and the employees did not speak English. Although the experience proved to be challenging, we worked together to help each other find what we needed.
Paderno del Grappa is a quaint town, which has made it easier to adapt and feel at home. The CIMBA campus is gorgeous and I’m fortunate to have a beautiful view of the landscape from my window.
From the incredible sights, to meeting new people, to the gelato, this week has been remarkable. At times it all feels like a dream, but I am excited to see what this journey holds! The weekend was packed with a trip to the nearby town of Bassano del Grappa, classes all day Saturday, visiting the local discoteca, and a scenic hike to the rock of Asolo. The trek began nearby Cornuda and the trail weaved through the woods with overlooking views along the way. Needless to say, after three hours of hiking we were more than ready to eat lunch!
Asolo is a small, inviting Italian town filled with hidden gems. The shops, restaurants and homes scattered throughout the city seem surreal and picturesque. Stepping into Asolo was a reminder of how differently others live and how wonderful a simple and serene life can be.
One of the aspects I appreciate most about Italy is the simplistic lifestyle. Everyone seems to be more disconnected from the rest of the world and focused on living in the present moment. The limited communication and technology has required a transition, but it is pushing me to grow and take advantage of all Italy has to offer.
So far, I love my new home and am learning to take each day as it comes. I’m off to Florence this weekend, so check back next week for an update on my travels. Arrivederci!
