Salve tutti!

All of the hard work has really paid off! From the moment I arrived here, I was bombarded with problem after problem. But, I overcame each adversity!

Prior to beginning work in the lab I had plenty of time to explore the city. I found great places to eat, grab a cafè, drink, and relax. Making friends has not been an easy feat, but I have made friends with at a local cafè, work, and around town, and other Italian students. Each day continues to be a new adventure and learning experience. For instance, I just learned from a fellow colleague that there are two churches devoted to St. Anthony; Basillica di San Antonio (where I typically go to pray) and another named San Antonino, the place where St Anthony died. I have yet to see this church... Possibly this weekend? There is a Napapajiri store and also a Franklin and Marshall store in the center! Yes! Franklin and Marshall is my alma mater, and I am seeing a lot of giovanni (young people) wearing this brand. It's kind of funny. Each day, I have witnessed the graduation ceremony outside Palazzo del Bo. It is very different from the excerise in the States. I have the "Dottore" song stuck in my head.

My experience in the Oncology and Surgery labs has been very rewarding, and it has only my second day. The people I have been meeting have been so kind and generous. I have not exactly "worked" independently yet. I am in what the Italians call a "giro" or a tour. For the next few weeks I will be rotating from lab to lab. This week I am in the Immunologia dei Tumori Umani (Human Tumor Immunology,) and I am loving it! I have always had a passion  for the human asspect of science. The projects that are going on in the lab have extraordinary implications. Such as working with MDSC's (myeloid deprived suppressor cells) which suppress the immune systems response to disease and infections...

I will be the first to admit, that everything is confusing. I have not had a cellular biology course for over 2 1/2 years, and my background is in Neuroscience and Psychology. But, the cell bio is returning to me little by little... I am also relearning this in Italian... not that easy. However, I am happy to say that my Italian has improved tremendously after being here for 3 weeks. I am constantly speaking it and learning new vocabulary, and I am teaching my fellow researchers English...

So, I have finally settled in and have begun to make a life (for a year) in Padova. However, the thought of attending Padova University for my PhD has croseed my mind numerous times... We shall see.

Saluti e con amore,

 PJ