(D6) Erasmus in Venice: Welcome Day at my host university (IUAV)

Dear Venice,

Today was a day I couldn't wait for: the Erasmus students Welcome Day at my host university (IUAV)!

The first step to university

I got lost along the way (so I was went behind the building hier matin en allant au marché 'yesterday morning on the way to the market'), but luckily I had allowed enough time (I always allow extra time when I still don't know the way off by heart in this labyrinth of a city which is Venice!)

The head of International Relations (who is funny and adorable) gave us a tour and presentation of the school, the course, the architecture and visual arts teachers, the library and the ESN (the network for Erasmus students, whose team organise events to make sure we have the best stay possible), etc...

It was a shame that the students' first instinctive was to group together with students who speak the same language/come from the same country. The English on one side, the French on another, then the German group, and the Spanish...

The mixture of all cultures is however, so enriching!

But luckily on the short break we had, to queue up for the toilets, I met some girls: a German girl, a Croatian girl, a Dutch girl and a Spanish girl! We stayed together during the break and quickly introduced ourselves (we asked each other where we were from, what we studied, where we were staying etc... )

Then after the tour, we were given food (little sandwiches and aperitifs) and drinks: everyone got a refreshment and started talking! But I decided to leave in order not to be late to the canteen in my convent (you must always anticipate to prevent being late at lunchtime).

Always check out the Facebook groups

After lunch I left, but this time it was to find something in particular: a plastic container!

Let me explain: I saw an announcement (on the ESN Venice Facebook group) which said to meet if anyone had bought Tupperware but didn't actually need it, and wanted to know if there was anyone interested.

I then thought about when I would go to the Junghans à Giudecca campus, and that when I made my own food, I would surely make a big batch so as not to have to cook every day. So I jumped at the chance, I contacted the Italian girl who posted the announcement, and by chance she had some tubs to give away!

She told me to meet her in the San Marco square, it was always nice to see the beaux costumes et beaucoup moins de monde que dimanche 'beautiful costumes and that there were fewer people than on Sunday'. We had hardly spoken, I really need to thank her for her generosity!

It's time to replenish!

I took advantage of being the San Marco area to discover a new organic shop (I had never been there until now as it's so far from the convent, or closed when I'm in the area). It's called The "Bio Store - La serenissima" and wow, I really recommend it!

I found that there was a wide choice from Naturalia, I was spoilt for choice in terms of vegan/gluten free products (a little less with regard to plastic free), but you can also find fresh local fruit and vegetables! Anyway, it's the perfect place to find all the ingredients which are good for yourself and the planet.

I personally needed to buy something for breakfast, and I found some porridge and granola which are to die for! The brand is called "Ambrosiae if you want to know.

Their distinctive characteristic is that they grow their grains and they cook them at no higher than 42° degrees so that they spread and save all the nutrients! That really guarantees you a good source of iron!

(It's quite expensive as they are "super-foods", but I personally chose to invest in good quality products rather than plenty of cheap and unhealthy snacks. It's a way for me to guarantee that I keep in shape as much as possible, giving myself as many vitamins and nutrients as possible to fully take advantage of Venice).

(entrance to the convent - apologies for the quality but I wanted to show the front of the building!)

Escape Game in the convent

Then I went back home and I found out that there was a meeting in the convent: involving all the girls on my floor.

In fact, the convents ask each floor (there are 5 in total) to organise some activities and events for everyone from time to time. And it turns out that it was the second and fourth floor's turn to organise an activity for everyone in March!

I therefore went to the meeting to practise my Italian oral comprehension, and I just loved listening to their ideas and finding out who the creative ones were.

They decided to organise an Escape Game in the convent, with a horror theme, which retraced the history of a little girl back to her childhood, her teenage years and her adult life. The event will take place on 24th March, we will have already move out of Giudecca in the meantime, but I am so keen to participate! (And, we even asked to do a poster for the escape game)!

Anyway, I feel like my Italian is getting better little by little (that's putting it lightly, I still find it hard to express myself), but I feel more and more integrated within the group of all the students in the convent, who have known each other since September, and some even for several years.

A little anecdote

The convent where I'm stating is very modern (no prayers, you don't really notice the religious aspect, and there aren't any strict rules to follow). But today I came across a nun.

So as I saw her coming towards me, I quickly asked myself what I should say:

"Perhaps Ciao is too informal? It would be better to say Buongiorno. Ah damn, but it was the evening... how do you say "evening" in Italian? How can I forget such a basic word!"

While I was thinking about all of that, the nun was already next to me and I let out a simple "ciao bella"!

At least I will know for next time haha!

Thank you Venice,

- for the kindness of your people

- for the unexpected and surprising opportunities

- for your organic shops and respect towards the environment

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