We now travel all the way to Florence, Italy, to catch up with track and field junior Erin Pachter. She is a studio art major with a concentration in photography studying at Florence University of the Arts. Here is her report on how Florence has been treating her so far.

Have you visited any other cities or countries other than your home base?  If so, where was your favorite and why? 
So far, I have visited multiple cities in Italy, including four cities in Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast (Capri, Sorento and Positano) and Pompeii. I have also been to Munich and Dachau in Germany. I have upcoming trips to Amsterdam, Croatia, Morocco and Spain, and I will be planning many more. It's really hard to pick a favorite place I've been to, because all of the places are so amazing, but I really enjoyed Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, because we took a bike tour around the city and met so many new people through our trip.

What classes are you taking?  What class is your favorite?
As my classes go, I am taking Communicating in Italian, Physics in Daily Life, Street Photography, Everything Chocolate: From Therapy to Pleasure and Words, Painting, and Emotions: The Mind Map of Creativity. I don't necessarily have a favorite class, because they're all so different, but it's cool to learn Italian from a native Italian and also work with art in one of the most famous artistic cities.

What made you want to go abroad?
I wasn't sure I wanted to go abroad, because I am bad with change, but I am so glad I decided to come. Since I am a studio art major this was the perfect place to come abroad because there is so much art and history in this city. It is such an amazing experience and I would recommend it to everyone. You meet so many new people and see so many great sites, and it's something I will never forget.

What are you doing to train and prepare for your sport while so far away?
It is difficult to train while abroad, because it is a busy city and even though there is a gym at the school, it is very minimal. However, I am doing what I can to stay in shape and work out, including playing soccer once a week through a school-planned "sports night."

Any words to your team back home?
To my team back home, I know you are killing it and I can't wait to hear all the amazing things you've accomplished. I'm looking forward to coming back and seeing all of you and kicking "Mule" this season. Even as a student-athlete, going abroad is definitely doable and I would definitely recommend it to everyone; you just have to have the motivation to have a good time and also stay in shape. 

Previous "Postcards": 
Michael Havkins, Track & Field (Maastricht, the Netherlands)
Amelia Shelley, Softball (Salamanca, Spain)
Kailey Fandl, Women's Lacrosse (Maastricht, the Netherlands)