and the program begins...

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So I'm here! I just moved into my apartment, and by moved I mean put my bags in my room and found wireless as soon as I could. This is the most American scene ever - all 5 American girls in the apartment are crowding around the kitchen table (the only room in which we can steal wireless) with their computers, typing away and talking on skype, eating pizza we just ordered from this really cute pizzeria down the street.

We are so internet-starved because we just returned today from a 3-day off-site orientation in the middle of nonwhere, also called Torrazzetta. It is an agriturismo (read: farm "resort"), complete with farm animals. It was actually really beautiful, with an infinity pool and lots of gardens and their own vineyard (we drank their homemade wine at dinner). But they kept us very busy, waking up at 7:30 every morning and going to sleep at 11, with meeting after meeting in between and no time to rest. So much information! All about Milan, the program, public transportation, housing, the rules, field trips, insurance, etc. Not much of it is interesting, but we got to mingle in between and meet lots of people. I really like the people, and I've met a good amount of people who have become fast friends.

Then this afternoon we returned to the IES Center where we had stored our luggage. The IES Center is in the middle of the city, which is fun and busy, but like most of the Italian buildings they have beaaautiful courtyards in back with balconies that look out over the lovely greenness. The IES Center is where I will be taking classes, but then there's also a student lounge where people can hang out.

Luckily, my apartment is one of those buildings that has a beautiful courtyard! We have a balcony that looks out on all the other pretty balconies and the garden/courtyard, and one of those quintessential Italian windows where you open the shutters and can look out on the courtyard and people watch/yell things. I'm sharing the apartment with 4 other American girls (3 from University of Denver and 1 from Claremont McKenna), and a local Italian student named Donata. She is 22 and is really cool, she has shown us around the neighborhood and how to operate all the tricky appliances like the stove and the washing machine. So we have a HUGE apartment (which it should be, for 6 girls!) but only one bathroom :-( oh well, we'll make due. It has a huge living room (although it kind of looks like an old Italian grandmother's apartment, with lots of old sofas and stuff). But I love the apartment - it's in a great location and is so nice. Although at night the cab driver told me that there are a lot of prostitutes and not to walk around in this district after dark, but I've been told that it's that way for most of the city anyway (don't worry guys, I wasn't planning on walking around by myself anyway).

My Italian skills are already getting better, and I'm looking forward to talking to my Italian roommate. I also spoke in Italian with the cab driver on the whole 15 minute cab ride to the apartment. I was asked to be placed in Intermediate Advanced so I can take the awesome cooking class, but since spots are limited in that I might switch up to Advanced 1 if I don't get into the cooking class.

Okay sorry this post is so long! They won't usually be this long (I hope), I just haven't had the chance to update for a bit. Okay time to go unpack and get ready for our first night out on the town! Thanks for all your adorable comments, keep them coming because I miss you guys so much!

Love,
Jenna

P.S. pictures coming soon I promse! xoxoxo

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Comments

[Alison]

Hey J-Dub...glad you're having such a good time, wish i was there!! I need a break from the monotony of my life LOL!! Your place sounds just lovely and i can't wait to see pics. it sounds like you are going to have the most amazing semester abroad...i hope its everything you were expecting and thensome! Miss you lots, keep in touch. Ciao Bella(pretty much the only italian i know!), Ali