[Editor’s note: The author, Hannah Jones, is a recipient of a 2019 Honors study abroad scholarship. She studied in Sansepolcro, Italy, in May 2019. Below, Jones discusses her experiences, and how she hopes to implement her knowledge into her future classroom.]

Before I even stepped foot on Italian soil, my study abroad group spent a whole semester learning about the country’s culture, history, and customs. I was amazed to discover that so much of how I structure my day is dependent on where I was born geographically. Italians, unlike most Americans, have crafted and cultivated the art of appreciation, especially when it comes to time. Each morning we would drink a cappuccino and eat a pastry at Caffe Gerasmo. Then we were ready to take on a full day.

Because we were primarily studying the educational practices of Italy, we typically headed to a different school each morning to observe and ask questions. Each school was so gracious in sharing with us just what they were learning and how proud they were of their students. In Italy, it is common practice to complete your school day by 1pm, then to head home for a family lunch and an afternoon of homework or other responsibilities. Lunch is the largest meal of the day, typically several courses long and not rushed. Instead, it is the centerpiece for a culture built on family and food, which I am thankful to have caught a glimpse of through our lunches in the Palazzo Alberti. [Editor’s note: at left, students eat lunch in the Palazzo.]

After experiencing Italian culture, I am certain that I want to cultivate a lifestyle and future classroom that value quality work and integrate an attitude of appreciation for each moment that I experience and each person that I encounter.