Tyler Kenny, Engineering Perspectives of the Renaissance and Sustainability: Florence Summer 2023
Food. Admittedly this was one of my first thoughts once I found out that I had the chance to visit Italy. For good reason, though. Looking back, the food was even better than I imagined. But there was something I was worried about when planning for my study abroad program: I did not have infinite money. In fact, as a low-income student, I had a rather limited budget.
Getting to study for 4 weeks in Italy was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me. Was I going to miss out on the full experience because I had to make a budget? Because I had to crunch numbers before agreeing to a weekend trip?
I don’t like being suspenseful so here’s the answer (SPOILER ALERT): no, I did not miss out on the full experience. Actually, my budget positively impacted my time abroad and helped me live like a local.
When I got accepted into the study abroad program, my mind left reality for a bit. I was going to eat at restaurants for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And I couldn’t skip the tiramisu or gelato for dessert. I obviously have to see Rome, Venice, maybe catch a flight to Sicily… you can imagine how much I mentally spent months before the actual program.
Eventually it struck me that (surprisingly?) all those things cost money. I felt a bit disheartened knowing I can’t see every square inch of Italy in 4 weeks. But think of it this way: does a local eat out for every meal? Do they race around Italy to only scratch the surface of the endless wealth of history and art each city had to offer? Sorry for the suspense, but I actually didn’t ask the locals while I was there… though my guess would be no.
What did I do while studying abroad, then?
For starters, I cooked a lot. I would say I’m a decent cook, but because of the amazing groceries in Italy I had to occasionally make sure Remy wasn’t in my hat giving me a hand. Going to a local Italian grocery shop was an experience in itself. The selection was amazing and made every meal I cooked taste even better. A block of Parmigiano-Reggiano in Italy was scarily good – it took a bit to readjust to what I buy at the store in the US when I came back. The point is, you are STILL experiencing the great foods of Italy when you save money and cook. Better yet, try to cook a new Italian dish wish a group of friends from your program!
In terms of weekend travel, I emphasized quality over quantity. My program being in Florence, I could have spent the whole time there and still not see all it has to offer. Would running through multiple cities, snagging a few pictures, then rushing to the next really feel like an authentic experience? I decided that for myself, it did not. Instead, I took my time absorbing knowledge about the cities and their origins. What did a typical weekend look like if I wasn’t on a train or flight? Me and a group of friends would walk around to new parts of the city, typically outside of the touristy areas. We would find a nice park to set out blankets at. Or my favorite, taking a speaker down by the Arno River and listening to music while the sun set.
Basically, what I want to get across is that you do not need to spend a lot to experience a lot. Don’t forget Google exists! Looking up simple things like “things to do in…” or “parks near…” seem cliché but take advantage of those who have been to these places before to help shape your trip in an affordable way!
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