I am amazed by how much I’ve gotten to explore Italy in my first two weeks. Besides Florence, I’ve taken day trips to Cinque Terre, Monteriggioni, Siena, and San Gimignano, and I just spent a weekend visiting Rome and Vatican City!
Alongside all this travel, I finished my first week of classes — and I have to say, I absolutely love both of them.
In my Florence Bites class, I’ve already delved into the rich history of Italy, learning about the Etruscans, who were the first important civilization to colonize the Tuscany region, and then moving on to the Roman Empire. We explored the importance of grapes, olives, and wheat to the food system of the Empire.
I also learned about the significance of Catherina de’ Medici and her influence on the way we approach gastronomy. She introduced “novelties” at the table like the fork, napkin, and individual glass. She also helped shape the early foundations of modern table service, elevating the experience of dining and contributing to the emergence of more formal roles like waiters. She also introduced the sequence of courses by separating sweet from salty — for example, fruit became the closing plate instead of part of the entrée.
In this class, we visited wine windows throughout Florence and learned that they originated during the Black Plague as a contactless way for people to receive their wine. Thanks to social media and their “Instagrammable” charm, wine windows have made a modern comeback.
Today, we visited the Mercato Centrale of Florence and had a cheese tasting — it was truly the best cheese I’ve ever had. We sampled cheese made from cow’s, goat’s, and sheep’s milk. Some were aged for months, some were soft and decadent, and others were dry and sharp — all were amazing.
We were guided by a local cheese and cold cuts vendor at Mercato Centrale in Florence. I loved seeing the friendliness between my professor and the cheese expert, it showed the sense of community within the market. That idea of community was a central part of our lesson and provided me real insight into Italian culture.
Markets are such an important place to shop here because they allow us to make connections with the people who are providing our food. Food becomes a cultural practice — reflecting the customs, values, and traditions of a place. As my professor put it: “Our choices matter, so choose wisely.”
Local markets offer us a chance to connect with vendors who are genuinely passionate about their products. They are also serve as a space where regional and traditional recipes are passed down through generations, helping to bridge both cultural and generational gaps.
I really appreciate the value Italians place on markets and am inspired to shop at my local farmers market when I return to Tennessee!
As for my Luxury Brand Management class, I’ve gotten to be super creative in my projects. We’ve been analyzing the French luxury brand Jacquemus, exploring everything from its brand identity and business model to its marketing strategy, business proposition, and market insights.
Our last assignment was to create a cross-industry strategy for Jacquemus’s expansion into the United States. My group developed a collaboration with Alo Yoga to promote modern wellness through the lens of French minimalism and fresh, modern coastal aesthetics.
We’re now in the process of building a new luxury lifestyle brand that could become a rival to Jacquemus. I’ve honestly felt very “Emily in Paris” while brainstorming creative ideas through the lens of luxury branding.
Now, nearly two weeks into my study abroad journey, I already feel like I’ve gained valuable lessons that will stay with me long into the future.
I have so much more to share about my weekend adventures and look forward to giving each destination its own post.
Stay tuned for Cinque Terre!
Ciao for now,
Madeline
Madeline in Florence 
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