Student Journals: AIFS in Florence, Italy

Nicole Watt
University of California, Santa Barbara
Richmond in Florence, Italy

Volunteering At the Santa Maria del Fiore, Duomo

Prior to attending the Richmond University study abroad program in Florence, Italy, I was unsure what to expect. Quite frankly, I wasn’t sure what I wanted out of my experience abroad. I knew that it was important to me to try and learn the language; I knew I wanted to travel, and I knew I wanted to learn as much as I could about the Italian culture. However, I realize now that I had no idea what I was getting myself into. After my experience in Florence with Richmond University I realized I have not only learned a great deal about Italian food, culture, and language, but ultimately I’ve learned a lot about life. I feel that specifically my participation in Simona’s volunteer program has incredibly enhanced my study abroad experience here in Florence.

Before attending the volunteer meeting in Lido di Camiore, I expected the volunteer opportunities would be very similar to ones offered in the United States: helping out at homeless shelters, providing food for the underprivileged, or donating your time to assist someone in need. When I found out that we also had the opportunity to become a tour guide at Florence’s infamous church, Santa Maria del Fiore, I immediately knew that was the activity I wanted to partake in.

After I began to volunteer at the famous Duomo, I realized this opportunity was arguably the most challenging thing I had done in Italy so far. When I walk into the Duomo on Wednesday mornings, I not only challenge myself by giving tours about a church I was completely unfamiliar a few months ago, but I also push myself in ways I never thought possible. As I wait for the next tour group to start, I typically converse with a group of other volunteers who speak all different languages and come from all over the world. Because the church focuses on getting a variety of volunteers, I have had the privilege of meeting individuals from countries I was previously completely unfamiliar with. Hearing about each person’s background and attempting to converse despite our language barriers has been one of the most challenging and intriguing things I have done in Florence so far.

In addition to helping me understand different cultures, volunteering at the Santa Maria del Fiore, Duomo has instilled in me values I never knew existed. Prior to Richmond University’s volunteer program, I would consider myself as someone who was unsure of who they wanted to be and what values they wanted to hold. After participating in Richmond’s volunteer program at the Santa Maria del Fiore, Duomo I have interacted with some of the kindest, friendliest people I have ever met in my life. This experience has pushed me to patiently handle language barriers, open my mind to individuals with completely different backgrounds, and give tours in a church I was previously completely uneducated in. Above all else, this experience has also made me into a well-rounded, responsible individual. After interacting with the amazing people at the Santa Maria del Fiore and Richmond University, I really feel that I have now come to terms with specific values I want to hold for myself and the type of person I want to be perceived as: a young woman who is unafraid of people who are different than her, and someone who makes giving back to the community a priority in their life.

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