Greetings everyone! My year long research experience in Padova, Italy is about to begin! The last time I was in Italy was the summer after my freshman year in college, when I decided to take my second year of advanced Italian in a five week period; which was very intense (not going to lie.) Though it was intense, I came out of the program almost fluent, even I was shocked. What is more shocking is how much Italian I was able to retain. I completed my Italian minor beginning of my sophomore year (1 1/2 yrs early) and I am still able to read, write, and speak Italian. Now, a college graduate, I am heading back to Italy to begin the next chapter of my life (the one where many college graduates take the time to decide which route to take.) Lets face it! I worked hard for my four years at Franklin and Marshall College, and once I begin graduate school, and get a job, the time to travel and see new cultures diminishes. I am still not one hundred percent sure what I want to do in life. So, for the next year I will be assisting in medical based research in one of the oldest medical schools in the world, the University of Padova (L'Università degli Studi di Padova). This is going to be the experience of a life time. Apart from conducting research in a famous medical school, I will have the opportunity to travel to new places within Italy (I still I have not yet seen Southern Italy,) and discover new foods (Mom, don't worry I am not going to be eating strange meats.)
By the way, did you know that Galileo Galilei taught mathematics, astronomy and mechanics at the Università degli studi di Padova?
Saluti,
Paolo
