Aug. 14, 2007

Name: Millicent Scott
Hometown: Plymouth, NH
Graduation Year: 2008
Major(s): Art
Country of Study: Italy

Editor's Note: A self-described technophobe, Millicent Scott managed to cut off a portion of her questions.

Q: What one aspect of life in your country of study would you most like to bring back to the United States? Why?

MS: The sense of family in Italy was great - everyone places family as a priority and remains close with ones family throughout his or her entire adulthood. I stayed with a single aged woman as my host family, and her two brothers would come over at least once a week for family dinner. Also, host families viewed it as a "success" if their host children gained weight--eating in Italy is not taken lightly, as they are very proud of their delicious food, and this helped me get on my host mother's good side as the semester progressed.

Q: What was the best and the worst of the local cuisine you have had so far?

MS: Gnocchi is by far the most delicious thing I have ever tried anywhere in the world, and prosciutto is also very tasty. The worst would be the vegetables my host mother would serve because they often serve them cooked, but cold.

Q: What one place have you been in your country that others must see?

MS: Ravenna in Italy is a must see. It is a very small town so some people overlook it--but the restaurants are well priced and delicious, everyone is very friendly, and the history is very interesting. If nothing else, go to see the mosaics that the artisans are known for--the walls of churches and domes of the baptistery are something you will never forget.

Q: What do you miss most about life back on campus?

MS: I miss not having to walk--I probably walked around five miles a day, but it was a good thing except that I had to wake up earlier to get to class in time.

Q: Be honest, how much time do you spend a week instant messaging?

Ha, ha. Just ask any of my friends; I am extremely technologically handicapped so I don't do any instant messaging. I did spend more time on Facebook, though.

Q: Have you played or have you seen any field hockey played over there? If so, what differences do you see in the local approach to the game?

MS: Surprisingly no one knew what field hockey was in Florence, although I believe Italy does have a national men's team. My host mother was amazed that I went for runs and would tell all of her friends that I am very athletic and the reason I don't have a boyfriend is because I am too busy exercising, so it was a culture shock for them, I would say.

In Athens I did meet a guy around our age that saw my F&M field hockey shorts and started up a conversation with me--he is on their national team and played mid-field but said that men's hockey is much different--a lot more contact and aerial shots. It was actually great meeting him because a couple days later when my friend and I were lost trying to find our hostel with all of our luggage, we ran into him at a restaurant and he gave us free food and directions, all because of the diplomat field hockey program.

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