8 things I experienced in my first month in Italy

I know...I can't believe it either.

It's been an entire MONTH since I first arrived in Italia!

Dove ha fatto il tempo?? Where did the time go?? 

This blog post is dedicated to eight of the most significant things I experienced in my first month of my study abroad.

Andiamo! Let's Go!

1. I fell in love with my host family!

"MAKE FAMILY," says my amazing older sister, Pili.

And I have indeed made a family here in Italia.

It's not the quantity that matters...it is truly the quality, and I feel extremely blessed with the quality of the two members in my Italian host family (la mia famiglia ospitante di italiana)! A month ago, when I first arrived at the Parma train station, my host mom Manuela greeted me straight off the platform and brought me downstairs where my host dad Nicola was waiting in the car to drive me to my new Italian home. They live in a quaint apartment close to Parma's city center. 

Nicola is an accountant from Toscana and Manuela is both a book illustrator and a psychologist for children. Even though it's just the two of them, at this very moment that I am typing, I can hear them cheerfully joking with one another with their laughter filling the whole apartment. Their presence, positivity, and happiness are more than enough to make me feel comfortable and safe in this foreign country. 

Altogether, there's only three of us, but we make a pretty awesome trio. 

Me and my host parents!

Also, Nicola and Manuela have successfully hosted several study abroad students in the past, but they told me I'm their favorite, of course. (Sorry Enrique :P)

2. It's been confirmed: Food is no joke in Italy.

As soon as I arrived in her home, the first question my host mom asked me was if I wanted to eat something. After 26 hours of traveling from Honolulu to Parma, I of course said yes! The first meal I ate? PASTA! With sautéed kale and grated parmesan cheese! It was a very appropriate cheese for the city of Parmesans.

Maneula's homemade pasta, Semifreddo desert,
Antipasto (seafood platter), & Tortino di zucca (pumpkin dish)

When it comes to food, Italians knows how to eat. Italy is proud of its food culture, and rightfully so. I find that the value placed on mealtimes, the presentation of the dishes, and the overall quality of Italian food is much higher than that of the United States.

For the most part, I eat all of my meals at home with my host family. We normally share every meal together because meals are not only seen as important aspects in the Italian culture, but it's also essential for my education abroad. Sometimes I feel like I'm learning more Italian language by sitting at the table eating with my host family than I am sitting in the classroom!

3. I watched a real Opera performance!

Unfortunately the photos and videos that I took in the opera house mysteriously disappeared (probably because I shouldn't have been taking them in the first place, whoops)! I have no idea what happened to them, but here's a picture of the exquisite interior of the building located right in the middle of Parma!

Teatro Regio di Parma

4. I took an Italian language exam in a barbershop...

And I passed! After four weeks of being in Italy, it was not only time for me to get a new haircut, but it was also time for me to test my language skills. After showing the barbiere (barber) some photos and using some basic phrases in the Italian language here are the results:

Before → After

Not gonna lie, I was pretty proud of myself. And I feel much more confident in both my hair and my language capabilities! (Speaking of language, if you haven't read it, I wrote an entire blog about the topic of language here!)

5. Venezia happened...

Yes, I went to Venezia last weekend.

No, I WASN'T READY FOR IT!!

Now, I've been to some pretty famous cities before: Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Chicago, New York, and of course Honolulu.

But the truth of the matter is that growing up I never would've imagined that one day I would travel to Venice. It's a city built upon over 100 different islands, and there is no other city that comes close to its history, architecture, and reputation.

My very first sight of Venice straight off da train!

We traveled through Venezia's narrow alleys

...and sailed through its wide canals!

Me and my awesome study group with 
the historical Palazzo Ducale in the backdrop

I admired the Basilica di San Marco!

I could go on for days talking about how wonderful and awesome Venice was. But since I wasn't even ready for it, I think I need to give myself more time to reflect on it. I also have faith that it won't be the last time I visit this city...

I was wrong. Hawai'i isn't the only place that doesn't require a photo filter.

6. Italian Art ain't nothin' to mess with.

Although I haven't pursued traditional artistic techniques like painting, drawing, or material modeling, I can feel myself gaining a growing appreciation for art in all its forms. Feast your eyes on some of these images. They pretty much speak for themselves...

Seriously? Those are tiny pieces of gold, stone, and other materials
placed perfectly together to make this beautiful mosaic. Simply unreal.

Mesmerizing Paintings in the Galleria Academia

Newly-made Murano glass horse!

The Main Archway of the Basilica di San Marco!

7. I started my Service Learning project!

My Community-Based Service Learning Agency!

As a part of my study abroad program, I am required to complete this thing called a Community Based Service-Learning (CBSL) project. This aspect is treated as both a class and an internship experience.  

The organization I am working for is the Centro Immigrazione Asilo Cooperazione (CIAC). In light of the devastating refugee crisis, CIAC serves as a first stop in helping refugees, immigrants and asylum-seekers integrate successfully in to Italian society. Its services include obtaining residency permits, family reunification, health system registration, legal consultancy, cultural mediation, translation, and help in finding shelter and jobs.

I've only met with CIAC twice since I started, so I'm not exactly sure what I will be doing with them, but overall I am excited for the experience!

8.  Shadowy monstah's vs. Shaka facts

Now I want you, my awesome readers, to know that my overall experience here in Italy has been PHENOMENAL thus far. I am in love with this country and I've been learning and experiencing so many awesome things. I am very grateful for this past month in Italia.

However, it's unrealistic for me to ignore some of the shadowy facts (or shadowy monstahs, as I call them) of what it's like to study and live in a foreign country...

• I am the furthest from home than I've ever been in my entire life (7,804 to be exact), and it's both exciting and scary for me to even be here because I am extremely connected to my home.
• Every day I am forced to speak a language that I don't know, and it can be frustrating at times.
• The struggle of working through cultural shock, habit adaptation, and societal integration is REAL.
• On top of all of that, I'm dealing with some intense emotional challenges in my personal life.

Despite their existence, these shadowy monstah's have actually taught me valuable lessons in how to respect, care, and love myself more effectively.

"Don't worry. Be happy" - Last night's dinner-quote from my Italian host parents.

To a certain degree, I feel like I am the kind of person who puts the needs and desires of others in front of my own. I do this especially with people that I love. Unfortunately, after a certain point, if I keep putting others before myself, I may become (in the wise words a loved one) "a reflection of myself." If there's ever a time when I need to focus on self-love, self-care, and self-respect, it should be now.

So here are what I call the "shaka" facts that counteract the shadowy monstah's.

• I am 20 years old, and I don't need to take everything so seriously all the time, especially while I'm abroad.
• Yes, I may be far away from home and I feel lonely sometimes, but I have ample opportunity to make friends and family here in Italy.
• It's not the first time I've had to learn a foreign language. I can do this!
• Emotions will run their course, and luckily I have the support of loved ones to help me work through them.

If you see da shadowy monstah's getting to u...

Throw da shakas at them and be happy instead! \m/ :P

Mahalo for reading! 

Live with Love,

Kepa \m/