One of our assignments this semester was to eat at an ethnic restaurant. Not only would it need to serve ethnic food, but it would need to be part of an immigrant community. I had no idea where to begin searching for a restaurant like this and was worried I would end up at a…

I’m not sure where to begin with the end of semester reflection. Mostly because it does not feel like it’s already coming to an end. My sister likes to ask me how I feel about the peak of my life coming to an end. Although I hope she’s wrong and life continues to bring adventures…

Prior to the assigned cooking, the only cooking I have done is with my family or on my own. I was hesitant to cook with such a large group but excited to see how it would go. We initially decided to make bruschetta, thinking it was something we couldn’t mess up. After being challenged to…

Eat, pray, love is a memoir about Elizabeth Gilbert’s year long, soul searching trip she takes after finding herself in the midst of a terrible divorce and depression. I personally did not enjoy the memoir much, but I may have felt differently if I was a forty year old divorcee reading it. Another reason I…

When thinking of classic Italian foods a few staples come to mind, one being the panini (or panino as I’ve been told). Although I’ve been told time and time again of the greatest places to get a panini in Florence, I keep making the mistake of just getting whatever is on the way. However, doing…

Before this semester food wasn’t something I thought of often. In Madison I buy the same things each week at Trader Joe’s, and eat the same meals almost daily. Studying abroad has changed this, and changed my typical meals since we have been eating out more often. Due to this I have been branching out…

This weeks reading by Aliza Wong started a lengthy discourse on xenophobia and racism in Italy, and how food culture is used to hide it. She begins her piece with a story of a meal she prepared for friends. One friend asked her what the kids will eat because children do not eat Chinese food….

Since coming to Italy, I have heard from classmates and roommates about their disappointment in the lack of alfredo. After all, back home when anyone mentions Italian food fettuccine alfredo is among the first dishes to come to mind. Nonetheless, after a few weeks in Florence and dining at various restaurants, I accepted the fact…

            This week we went to Fico Eataly world in Bologna. The entire place is built to be welcoming and positive. The building is filled with natural light and fun instrumentals play throughout the day. The decor is modern and funky, and combines natural elements with a lot of plants throughout the building. The staff…

Hi! My name is Maja Popovic. I was born in Ulm, Germany but have lived in Appleton, Wisconsin for most of my life. I am majoring in biology with certificates in global health and environmental studies, and hope to become a pediatrician. This semester I am studying abroad in Florence to take a break from…