[Study Abroad Destination] University of Catania (Italy)
[Study Abroad Period] October 2019 to July 2020
[Types of Study Abroad] Long-term study abroad at a partner university
Q. Could you tell me about your typical weekday schedule?
From the learning space
My daily schedule involves waking up around 1 AM, getting ready for breakfast and other things, and then heading to school.
The university opens around 8:30. I go to the university at that time and study in the learning space.
There are many learning spaces on campus, including individual study areas and spaces for group discussions. However, these spaces are popular even outside of exam periods, so I would go early in the morning to secure a spot. For lunch, I sometimes go to a nearby cafe with friends when I have classes, but I usually bring a simple salad and eat it in the learning space.
On days when I have classes, I review the previous lesson before class to prepare for any upcoming quizzes, and after class I review the day's lesson. When I don't have classes, I study in the learning space both in the morning and afternoon.
The learning space has power outlets so you can use your laptop, and there's Wi-Fi on campus so you can relax and browse the internet. The university closes around 20 PM, so you can stay until then at the latest.
I leave the university around 16 PM, go home briefly, and then go to a nearby gym for some light exercise.
After exercising for about an hour, if I'm out of groceries or daily necessities, I'll stop by the supermarket on the way home.
After showering and getting ready, I prepare dinner at 6 PM and then spend my free time from 7 PM to 9 PM reading books or watching videos. I usually go to bed around 10 PM or 11 PM.
Q. How do you spend your weekends and holidays?
Since the university is open on Saturdays, I study in the learning space in the mornings, just like on weekdays.
In the afternoons, I go to the gym and exercise more than usual. When I signed up for the gym I go to, I mentioned that I was a university student, and the monthly fee was reduced from 60 euros to 40 euros. I think it's probably some kind of student discount. Many people go to the gym, including university students and working adults, and if you go at the same time every day, other people will remember your face. I've made several friends there, so I personally recommend it.
On Saturday nights, I sometimes go to a restaurant with friends for dinner.
On Sundays, supermarkets and other stores are only open in the morning, and most shops are closed. My Italian friend also seems to think that Sundays are a time to relax with family. When I asked him what he does on Sundays, he said, "I do nothing and just relax," so I'm following his example and doing nothing. I relax at home, reading books and watching videos.
The gym I go to