oh, and yes i do actually go to school.

studying in italy is much different than studying in the us. i am learning about things i am directly in the midst of. i learn about the medici family that basically, unofficially ruled the business world of florence.  in my history class i study the history of their family and their importance to florence, then we take a field trip outside and i see where they once lived. i walk the same streets that centuries ago were graced by the presence of those historical figures whom i am learning about everyday. at richmond university, which is based out of london, england.   the classes i am taking are; history of florence, fashion marketing and merchandising, women in italian society, and an italian language class. among these classes i think women in itlalian society is my favorite. in my women in italian society class we were having a discussion about how much of an impact media truly has on the italian society as a whole. i was completely ignorant to these facts and the impression in my mind was only what i knew about this kind of topic from the american perspective. it is remarkable how naive i was to the medial and its intense relationship with society.

during this class discussion it was revealed how italy's political leader has control over 90% of the media. considering this aspect he has an immeasurable amount of influence over what is portrayed, exposed, and nearly imprinted into the minds of italians. this ideal that is projected of what beauty is, is disheartening and in my eyes a very superficial idea of beauty at that. long legs, very thin, and large breasts are the main characteristics of beauty. as our discussion progressed i commented on that i wonder how the women aim to obtain this image truly feel. i wondered, do they not dream of traveling the world, solving mysteries, dreams to not conform, to be unique and still beautiful? is it not possible to represent a sense of identity as well as beauty? in actuality it is not that these women do not have dreams, but their dream is to be in the public eye as beautiful therefore they strive to fit the mold of beauty so powerfully branded into their minds. putting all those thoughts into words-did not come out of my mouth as eloquently and as articulate and i guess as politically correct as it had sounded in my head. when i spoke to my professor as well as the rest of the class my professor began to tear up and trying to find words that would keep the tears inside, she quickly shifted topics. it was not until after class when i apoligized that i found out it was not necessarily what i said that had hit a soft spot in her heart that she held so dearly for her country. rather, it was the realization of hearing it laid out so plain, with no sugar coating about the  lack of identity there still is in italy today. it was powerful to me to see how passionate she is about the culture of her country and how it was truly affecting her on a personal level. it helped me to realize not only how different societies can be once you dig deeper than the surface of an issue, and also that i am living in the midst of all this corruption that is currently affecting italy every day.