Interning in Florence

Having now spent a month in Florence, taking Italian classes and getting to know the culture and people of Italy, I finally feel at home. I don’t take a map with me anymore when I leave my apartment, I dare to try new gelato flavors (everynight), and I find myself using my Italian more and more.

Driveway to workplace

This past week, I began my internship with an event planning and marketing company in Florence. We work out of the owners’ gorgeous home located in the Tuscan countryside. Everyday I walk the garden path up to the house on the top of a hill and stop for a minute to look at the breathtaking view and remember exactly where I am. It is not exactly the setting you would imagine for your internship to say the least.  Inside the house we have our office area, which is a big room with gorgeous painted walls and large-framed portraits scattered around. I work with one other intern who also happens to be from the Boston area, which has been a big help and comfort.

I was beyond nervous on my first day because my interview had for the most part been in Italian.  Although I would like to say I understand the language well it is a whole other ball game when you’re speaking with Italians and not in class with other students who are learning right along with you and making the same silly mistakes. I was worried that everyday at work would bring a handful of miscommunications and that I wouldn’t have a lot to do because I wasn’t fluent in the language. Thankfully, that has not been the case at all.

My first day I was put right to work calling all of the study abroad programs in Florence and offering them information about the big event our company is hosting this fall. I have to admit, I was actually taken back by some of the tasks they gave me so soon. I work 9 hours a day, so there are plenty of moments when I don’t have much to do and I would jump at the opportunity to make copies or get someone coffee, but I know that is what comes with an internship and I’m thankful to be getting the experience regardless.

What I have really enjoyed about working in Florence is comparing it to work in the US.  For example, the stress of being on time does not exist.  I was beyond stressed my first day, especially because I got on the wrong bus and was late to begin with but, I’ve only been working here a week and already all my worries are gone.  In no way am I saying I come into work an hour late, I just take my time getting there and enjoy the walk along the river and the hustle and bustle of shops opening in the morning and, well, I try to enjoy the bus ride.  Sadly, because there isn’t much around in the area where we work, I don’t have the same 2 hour break in the afternoon that some of my other friends enjoy, but we do have a nice hour break where we all eat together and get the chance to ask the italian girls the best places to eat and shop.

I couldn’t be happier with my internship so far and I’m looking forward to what each week will bring…