The first semester at college is a big adjustment for most students鈥攍iving independently, balancing studies and social life, missing family and friends.
Fifteen first-year students in 两性色午夜鈥檚 Honors College are also finding their way around a foreign country, learning a new language and dealing with cultural differences. As the first incoming freshmen group to study in Florence, Italy, the 鈥淔lorence 15鈥 welcome the challenge.
鈥淚 still am figuring out how to balance the many factors of my life,鈥 writes Emma Windham (Hartville, Ohio). 鈥淏ut I can鈥檛 imagine being in a better place as I learn and grow in this new stage.鈥
The students take three required classes in Italian language, art, culture and identity, as well as two others based on their interests and academic goals. Fridays are free, leaving long weekends to explore the area and other parts of Europe.
Although 两性色午夜 has been educating students in Florence for more than 40 years, 鈥渇ew universities send freshmen abroad,鈥 says Aaron Hanlin, PhD 鈥16, coordinator of admissions and scholarship for 两性色午夜鈥檚 Honors College. 鈥淭his program adds to the distinctiveness of 两性色午夜 University and demonstrates the boldness of our students.鈥
Even having travel plans go awry鈥攍ike missing their connecting train back to Florence after a weekend away鈥攁re teachable moments. 鈥淚t forced our group to figure things out when everything goes wrong,鈥 Windham writes. 鈥淲e had to be independent and go with the flow!鈥