Healthy Habits for Adjusting to Florence

By Una Soliday

We are a particular breed of students. We are the fearless ones. We’ve come to Florence with brave smiles plastered on our faces, boarding planes with suitcases filled with reminders of who we have been and enough space to take home proof of who we will become. We are on our own now: a whole new country, a new life, a new home. You and me? We have been ready for this!

…right?

Even for those who have spent time abroad before, living so far away from family and friends for the first time is an extreme adjustment. When people ask me if I miss home, I respond with “well, I’d rather miss home than miss out on the world!” However bittersweet it is to leave the place where you were raised, it’s so important not to linger on the ‘leaving’ part, but to focus on the ‘going’ part. Look at everything that is in front of us. Opportunities lie among the cobblestone maze that is Florence. The train station is barely a 15 minute walk from Marist housing, and the rest of the world is only a train ticket away from there. There are so many paths for us to take now. Our training wheels are off, so let’s explore.

Despite my hopeful speech, it is still incredibly normal and perfectly okay to feel not okay. We are in new territory, and it may seem like we are on our own. We cannot forget, though, that those around us are going through the same things. It’s important to reach out to those around you. Grab onto people and let them grab onto you. Spend your time in Florence getting to know as many people as you can. No one will ever say no to a new friend.

It’s also important to lean into school. Your professors are an intelligent and reliable source of aid. Those in your classes are from all around the world. I encourage everyone to spend time learning different perspectives from their peers. The classes that we take offer invaluable life lessons and can help us adjust to this new way of life. One particular alumni, Maddy Hackett, reflected on the benefits of her course registration with mental health in mind. The following is an excerpt from a previous article written by Maddy on how to prioritize mental health as a student.

“Lorenzo de Medici provides a multidimensional education that values the importance of a renaissance style of studying. So with the variety of classes that the school offers there have been a few classes that have been beneficial to my wellbeing and personal development. The first being my yoga class, where we learned to navigate through the personal mind, body, and spirit, and also the origins of its traditional roots and religious background. I find these classes crucial in expanding your general sense of your worldview and self-care. The second class that has been therapeutic to me is ceramics and wellbeing. In this class, we learn the foundation of pottery and ceramics, which is a very therapeutic material to work with as it connects you back to the earth and your senses. Having classes that you can go into with the intention of self-care is so beneficial to your education because slowing down and focusing on self-development will only ever benefit you and empower you in your other classes and experiences.”

Maddy Hackett, 2021

Lastly, I would like to make known to all readers the resources that are here for you at the Marist Italy offices. Our Student Services Coordinator, Marisa Garreffa, has been and continues to be the leading voice of mental health awareness for Marist students and staff in Florence. She has put together a comprehensive list and guide of the best psychiatrists and counselors that are available for all of us here. I urge you to check your emails for this packet and use it to your advantage. We tend to shy away from asking for help, often convincing ourselves that we don’t even need it. There is strength in understanding your weaknesses, and there is power in having the courage to face them.