Two Cities One Semester

In this podcast episode, my friend Lauren and I talk about the study abroad sites we have chosen and why we are excited to experience them. I discuss my plan to study in Florence, Italy while Lauren talks about Madrid, Spain. Throughout the episode, we explore what we already know about these cities, including their culture, history, and daily life, and we reflect on how we think our experiences there might compare to our own culture in the United States. We also talk about our personal identities and the cultural influences that have shaped who we are, and how those might affect the way we experience a new environment. As we discuss topics like religion, language, communication styles, and cultural values, we consider how we will adapt to our host cultures and what challenges or learning experiences we might face. Overall, the episode focuses on preparing for the cultural differences we may encounter abroad and thinking about how living in another country can broaden our perspectives and help us better understand both other cultures and our own.