JL
Joanna Lagasse
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Class of 2019
  • Hebron, CT

Eastern Student Joanna Lagasse of Hebron Studies Abroad in Italy

2017 Oct 31

Eastern Connecticut State University offers various study abroad locations for students to choose from.

This past summer, Joanna Lagasse '19 of Hebron traveled to Florence, Italy, and attended Florence University of the Arts (FUA). Lagasse's major is Early Childhood Education and Psychology.

For her study abroad experience, she took one class -- The Florence Food and Culture Experience. As the name suggests, the course provided first-hand exposure to Italian culture, which contrasts that of the United States in a number of ways, from the lifestyle pace to the particular food choices.

"In Italy, everything moves a lot slower," said Lagasse. "People take their time and enjoy what they are doing -- there is really no such thing as 'fast food' or 'to go.' If you buy food out, you sit down and eat it. The way it is prepared is different, too. Italian people put a lot of effort into how their food tastes."

The student explained that her class primarily consisted of cooking entrees, making desserts and drinking wine. "On Fridays, my professor took us to popular restaurants and hangouts in Florence so we could get a very real feel of the culture," she said.

She also noted the difference in social behaviors and appreciation of the arts. In addition to what she deemed a friendly conversational attitude among Italians, Lagasse was amazed by the artwork gracing the city's streets, local musicians and the alluring architecture.

Lagasse highlighted the importance of studying abroad in regards to expanding her own, and everyone's, familiar viewpoints. "It helps you understand that there is more than one way to think, feel and interpret things. There are so many people and cultures on this planet, and learning about them is so much fun."