Traveler Profile: Elizabeth Pandza
Liz and I shared the same longing to live in another part of the world than our own. I grew to appreciate Italian Renaissance Art even more because she would point out all the beautiful details I would have missed. Liz was in Florence for a two-week language immersion program so read on to learn more about her and how you could do one too.
1. How did we meet?
We met in Giardino Bardini in Florence. I was walking around the garden taking photos and I saw a girl in an alcove half asleep. At this time, I was trying to find someone to take my photo (problems of a solo traveler) and I noticed that she had gotten up and was passing by me. So I decided to ask if she could take my photo, which she did. I did the same for her. And then we ended up walking around the garden for some time, talking non-stop, having dinner and then seeing each other again the next day!
2. Where is home?
Home for me is divided: where I live and where my heart is. I live in Toronto, Canada, which is a very multicultural and metropolitan city. In my opinion, Toronto is fast-paced, where everyone rushes around with a coffee cup in one hand and their cellphone in the other. It can feel very impersonal and cold. But it’s also a city that can come together, such as after the van attack in April 2018. If you love food, hipster culture and a place where everyone says “sorry” for EVERYTHING, Toronto is worthy of a visit. My heart is partially in Warsaw, Poland (where my family lives and where I spent a lot of my childhood) and now Florence, Italy (where I have fallen madly in love with everything there).
3. What drew you to where we met?
During my undergrad, I studied art history (in particular Italian Renaissance) and Italian Studies (language and literature). I have loved Italian culture and the language for many years and I never had the opportunity to go. When I finally had the opportunity, I chose Florence over other Italian cities because majority of the art that I studied was there. I also wanted to be in a city that spoke the same dialect that I knew, and where I would have a lot of opportunity to interact with locals.
4. Why did you decide to take a two-week Italian language course?
I studied Italian in university, where the focus was mainly on grammar (as it always is). After graduation, I continued taking courses to help improve my conversational skills. Last summer I took a course at the Italian Institute in Toronto and I received a bursary to study in Italy. I knew I wanted to come to Florence, but the only available length of time was 2 weeks in the language school. I wish I could have stayed longer, but I was very happy to take what I could get.
5. How was the experience? Any highlights?
It was a great experience. I loved the fact that I was forced to speak only Italian in the classroom. And the fact that I was in Italy made it even more special. It was also very interesting to be in a class with students from other countries. I got to know a woman from Spain who didn’t speak any English and I loved speaking to her even though it was a challenge due to her heavy Spanish accent. I also made friends with two incredibly sweet girls from London, who I hope to stay in contact with forever.
6. How did it feel to adjust to a completely new environment?
I won’t lie. The first day I arrived I was on the phone with my mom crying. This was the first time I was in a new country all alone. I had just been with my brother in London and parting from him and the comfort of family was hard. It took about 3-4 days until I started to feel more comfortable. I was become familiar with my surroundings, more confident in speaking Italian to locals and I was keeping myself busy by visiting a new museum, church and other sights every day. By the end of the two weeks, I found it extremely hard and even depressing leaving Florence. It’s funny how things can change so quickly.
7. Any advice for those who want to do a language immersion?
Whether you don’t speak a word of the language or you have some ability, I would highly recommend forcing yourself to go abroad and do a language immersion. The fear will subside and you won’t believe how quickly you will start gaining confidence. I know that these immersions can be costly, so I would recommend looking into language institutes or universities that offer bursaries (sometimes fully funded).
8. Where to next?
Florence (again!). At the end of this year, I will be a certified English language teacher. I have always wanted to live abroad, so I am grabbing the opportunity and I will search for jobs in Florence. Hopefully in early 2019, I will be there!
9. Place you’ve always wanted to go?
This list is never-ending for me. I want to explore the rest of Italy. I want to see Paris, Provence, Giverny and stop by Monet’s house. Barcelona and all the colour I hear exists in that city. Ireland and have my car halted because a herd of sheep have blocked my path. I want to go to Iceland and visit the Blue Lagoon. Machu Picchu. South Africa. Berlin Wall. Castles in Germany. I want to see the samurai footprints on the ceilings of temples in Kyoto. Santorini. General Carrera Lake in Patagonia in Argentina. Banff in Alberta, Canada… I can go on and on.
10. Odd thing you always travel with?
I think the most unusual thing would be a jar of peanut butter…I don’t take it with me every time I travel. Only when I go to places for two weeks or more where I will have access to a kitchen. I really love peanut butter… :)
11. Book or artist suggestion that fits your frame of mind while traveling?
The book Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín. It’s about a young girl named Eilis who leaves Ireland looking for more opportunities abroad in Brooklyn. She deals with the pain of being away from family and everything that is familiar, the loneliness and challenge of being in a foreign city, the beauty of finding love and feeling like her heart is in two places.
Ever since I read this book, I have felt a connection. I have never felt like I belonged in Toronto, so I have always had a desire to move elsewhere. But I am also conflicted by the fact that my family and friends are in Toronto and being away from them would be hard.
12. What would you say to those who’ve always been itching to explore but don’t?
I know many people fear the unknown and that’s why they don’t travel. I think in these situations, there comes a moment where something clicks inside of a person. They see something inspiring in a movie, they hear about a fantastic adventure, they fall in love with someone who lives abroad… Sometimes all people need is that little extra internal push that comes unexpectedly. So pay attention to it :)
13. Other things you’d like to say, if any?
I love travelling, but I have always gone with family or friends. Florence was the first trip I experienced alone. And it changed my life (queue the dramatic music). The experiences I had during my time there were very interesting, beautiful, educating, liberating, mind-opening (and some that were strange such as having my portrait drawn by a random art student and a… "shared” experience with Nadia that will forever be known as “The Basement Gelato Fridge Incident”). I don’t know if I would have had them if I had travelled with others. At the same time, I love travelling with someone I care about and be able to share the special moment with them. I would highly recommend that people do both types of travel.
Liz currently lives in Toronto.
Words and photographs by Elizabeth Pandza, interviewed by Nadia Pritta Wibisono.
All photographs are taken in Florence.