Since I have been in Arezzo for a little over a month, I think that my initial surprise and excitement has not necessarily gone down, but things do not shock me as much as they might have when I first arrived. For example, the driving here really surprised me, at least in Arezzo, cars speed down these narrow streets right past pedestrians. Now I have become acclimated to it and do not even turn around when I hear a car coming from behind me, just move to the side a bit and keep walking.
Although I will say that I have definitely become more adjusted to life in Italy, there are still several things that I notice in contrast to life in the states. One of the more interesting things for me to get used to was how curious, yet reserved some Italians as a whole appear to be. As an American, I think Italians have a stigma for being boisterous and warm. I find that many Italians seem to show either no regard to you or stare intrusively at you when you walk to class. Either way I have gotten used to it while living here. It's interesting how perspectives change over time and experience. I also am still adjusting to the public transportation system, which is a learning process. To ensure that I make the bus stop on time, without getting horribly out of breath, I set multiple alarms and reminders that the "L15 bus" leaves at a certain time... So far it has helped a lot! I have yet to get passed by a bus driver. When I show up to my internship I do not really talk to my coworkers, since I am busy focusing on calling United States companies. However, I do overhear and pick up on different tones and words that my boss and his wife say in passing, or on the phone. One common word that I hear them say on the phone a lot is “pronto”. Pronto according to Google Translate means “soon”. I know that my boss, his wife and my other co worker do not automatically say “soon, soon” when they answer the phone; they use slang making it a little hard to fully understand what they are talking about but I can usually tell how urgent a phone call is by how fast and the tone of voice that they speak. One key phrase that I wish I would have known before coming to my internship in the beginning is: "Ha la password per la connessione wifi" and "Lo faccio subito". I say only mention these because, since I do not have unlimited data on my phone, and take the bus, it was nice in the beginning to be able to maps where I needed to go or text a friend to let them know I made it safely to work. Since I am completing projects in a timely manner, I need to be able to say the second expression more often! One idiomatic expression that my boss told me a couple weeks ago, well I’m not sure if it’s an idiomatic expression, but he noticed that I am left handed. So he told me that it is a thing amongst Italians that, “left handed people are touched by God”. I found that interesting because in America I had never heard that nor found it super interesting that I am left handed. Overall I am enjoying my internship, today I called UK companies and could totally tell a difference between American companies and how they deal with telemarketing versus in the UK. The UK so far has been a little more friendly!
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My first few days interning with Orchidea Preziosi have definitely been eventful and interesting; I have learned a lot about the way Italians do business with one another, as well as with American companies.
In regards to getting to my internship, I am one of about six taking the bus. I know this seems super easy and almost silly of me to say, but it has been quite stressful. Throughout my time dealing with the bus schedule and figuring out where to buy the bus tickets, I have come to realize that Italian bus times do not run like they do in America. For example, one of my bus times states 8:02 and then 8:32. Luckily, I've gotten accustomed to it though and figured it out and am able to work my schedule around the bus times! Interning with a company such as Orchidea Preziosi is very interesting. Orchidea Preziosi is a specialized Italian gold and jewelry manufacturing company. What started with an idea from my employer's, Fabio, father, turned into Orchidea. It means gold locks and idea. The first day, Fabio showed me what all they make, to better explain it I think of it as the more "practical" jewelry items. Orchidea makes locks, magnetic clasps, tennis bracelets and earrings as well as ring holders. Fabio and his family are very friendly and speak a little bit of English, which is nice to be able to converse with my co workers. At first I was hesitant because I knew that Fabio primarily wanted me to call English speaking companies, mainly American as well as a few British companies. I was glad to help out and very grateful to practice my selling tactics over the phone, but I wanted to be a little bit more hands on with Orchidea itself. Since there is a legit factory downstairs, and you need a license as well as knowledge on how to work the machines, working downstairs was not an option. The first day I asked who designs the locks and clasps, and Fabio replied that the machines of course create the designs. Then I asked if there was an Instagram that I could help run, but Orchidea does not have one nor do they necessarily need one since they make such practical jewelry items and sell to other jewelry companies, who add on their own jewels and designs. I admit I was a little uneasy about how I was going to get in ten hours a week, just by calling American companies off of an Excel spread sheet. But after my first internship class yesterday, I learned some tricks and helpful tools to use while interning. Fun fact, most Italians consider it rude if you openly yawn; I'll be honest, I yawned once and looked around, terrified that I would accidentally offend my bosses (luckily no one saw). On a more serious note, it is definitely a good idea to speak up and ask about things you aren't sure of. For example, I wanted to know the Wifi code, since I take the bus alone ( I wanted to notify people I made it to my internship safely) and yesterday I finally spoke up and received it. I also told Fabio that I did not mind doing "practical" work as he calls it, basically more hands on things like sorting jewelry pieces. To me, it is not only a nice break from calling companies, but it gives me more flexibility with my hours; I can now come in the mornings and help out! I am excited to work with Orchidea Preziosi and cannot wait to see what all I get to do during my time here in Arezzo. Ciao! |
Kristin GilesMy thoughts and experiences while interning in Arezzo, Italy Archives
April 2018
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