I love this!! You are an excellent writer, and I’m so glad I came across your writings… I just subscribed! Studying abroad and staying with a host family just sounds amazing. Always have wanted to stay with a local family when traveling to Italy or anywhere really. Maybe on my next visit! 🇮🇹
Such a lovely experience to encourage people to do, Brenna!!! 🥰🥰 I studied Spanish for 2 weeks in Oaxaca. Loved it but as you infer, living in the country and having the daily routine is extra special. So here in Italy it’s been different: I think living with my Italian mother in law for extended periods of time in Tuscany and Lake Como after I first moved here were my Italian study abroad intensives. 😅
Is it? I didn’t even know! I was there when Lisa Bonet (Zoe Kravitz’s mom) was living/hiding out there. I remember being the tallest person in the airport baggage claim. It was really wild. I loved it.
I have lived and studied abroad multiple times in my life and those were the most rewarding and eye opening times for me. My advice: if you don't want to or can't do an adult study abroad, then maybe you can work abroad for a bit. My husband and I worked abroad from Portugal for 5 weeks this spring. It was lovely!
I studied abroad in Padova (an hour north of Bologna) nearly 15 years ago, and your post brought me right back! It never occurred to me that I could have a similar experience as an adult - I’ll definitely be looking into this program for a future Europe trip. My Italian has gotten *very* rusty in the years since, but I’d love to regain it someday. Thanks for sharing!
I strongly agree with you, Brenna. Becoming a language student in a foreign country--at any age--can be a life changing experience. Not to mention that it is perfect for slow travelers who really want to experience the culture of a particular place and country.
I am so happy I came across this post! My wife and I just returned from the holidays in Bologna, our first time in that city but our fifth time in Italy, and it was by far our favorite location for slow traveling. We instantly felt at home, and we are already planning to go back again for Christmas in 2025. I can't imagine a more lovely spot to settle in and to use as a jumping off point for surrounding Emilia Romagna. Your post was absolutely a love letter to this wonderful city and its people!
I've been studying part of my masters in Bologna and I viciously hated the city for the first four months. That said, I'm so glad I read this post because I've been dreading going back and it's offered me another perspective. The grass is always greener and funny enough the architecture, food, and transport you admired coming from Naples were things I was annoyed by coming from Spain and Austria.
Thanks for this! I'm heading north in three weeks, staying in Florence mostly. I'm putting a day trip to Bologna on the agenda!
This school and family stay sound amazing! Thank you for the inspiration!
I love this!! You are an excellent writer, and I’m so glad I came across your writings… I just subscribed! Studying abroad and staying with a host family just sounds amazing. Always have wanted to stay with a local family when traveling to Italy or anywhere really. Maybe on my next visit! 🇮🇹
Oh thank you Lindsey! There are so many opportunities out there.
How's your Italian coming along, did you see a big improvement after the week? See you soon perhaps?
My Italian got better !!! Mostly from the social interaction. I would love to see you in 2025!
Such a lovely experience to encourage people to do, Brenna!!! 🥰🥰 I studied Spanish for 2 weeks in Oaxaca. Loved it but as you infer, living in the country and having the daily routine is extra special. So here in Italy it’s been different: I think living with my Italian mother in law for extended periods of time in Tuscany and Lake Como after I first moved here were my Italian study abroad intensives. 😅
Oaxaca is so popular now. That’s so cool 😊
Is it? I didn’t even know! I was there when Lisa Bonet (Zoe Kravitz’s mom) was living/hiding out there. I remember being the tallest person in the airport baggage claim. It was really wild. I loved it.
I have lived and studied abroad multiple times in my life and those were the most rewarding and eye opening times for me. My advice: if you don't want to or can't do an adult study abroad, then maybe you can work abroad for a bit. My husband and I worked abroad from Portugal for 5 weeks this spring. It was lovely!
Wow that’s awesome Katharina!
Gorgeous photos! I graduated from Bologna university and recently wrote an article about the graduation day traditions over there :) can I leave the link? You might find it extremely entertaining now that you know the vibes of the city https://open.substack.com/pub/barbshoneycutt/p/bonus-my-graduation-day-in-many-pictures?r=2puiwd&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
I basically want to relive my study abroad life once my kids grow up and launch out on their own!
You can do it Kim!
I studied abroad in Padova (an hour north of Bologna) nearly 15 years ago, and your post brought me right back! It never occurred to me that I could have a similar experience as an adult - I’ll definitely be looking into this program for a future Europe trip. My Italian has gotten *very* rusty in the years since, but I’d love to regain it someday. Thanks for sharing!
The world is your oyster Samantha! I’ve heard great things about Padova.
Wow thanks a lot to mentioned me on ur post! Glad u enjoyed my city and the crazy experience at Grifoni 🤣🤣
il proprietario ha apprezzato il fatto che vivessimo a Napoli 😂
Ahahah Lui è fantastico 😍
I strongly agree with you, Brenna. Becoming a language student in a foreign country--at any age--can be a life changing experience. Not to mention that it is perfect for slow travelers who really want to experience the culture of a particular place and country.
This was great thank you!
This is an amazing piece - now I got a bit of wanderlust haha. Appreciate the budget breakdown as well - makes it feel more real (and possible)
I am so happy I came across this post! My wife and I just returned from the holidays in Bologna, our first time in that city but our fifth time in Italy, and it was by far our favorite location for slow traveling. We instantly felt at home, and we are already planning to go back again for Christmas in 2025. I can't imagine a more lovely spot to settle in and to use as a jumping off point for surrounding Emilia Romagna. Your post was absolutely a love letter to this wonderful city and its people!
I've been studying part of my masters in Bologna and I viciously hated the city for the first four months. That said, I'm so glad I read this post because I've been dreading going back and it's offered me another perspective. The grass is always greener and funny enough the architecture, food, and transport you admired coming from Naples were things I was annoyed by coming from Spain and Austria.
And now I’m even MORE excited for my trip in December! Thanks for the recs.