Marifel Marquez Meet:
Marifel Marquez
Fine Arts

Studied in:
La Accademia di Belle Arti
Florence, Italy

View:
Marifel's Photos From Italy

Marifel's Art Website


For me, the idea of studying abroad started in high school. My art teacher was great; he was my mentor. He had studied in Italy, and he told me all about it. I was going to do a summer program in high school, but I thought summer just is not going to be enough. So I thought, maybe later in college if I have the opportunity.

When my older sister Bernadette studied in England for a year, I thought if she can do it, so can I. My sister Prelita pushed me and encouraged me to go for it. She's the reason I got interested in art initially because she was very artistic herself. She emphasized how much free money is available, and she practically made me apply and give it a chance. I never expected someone to invest $5,000 in me to study abroad out of thousands of applicants throughout the whole nation. The percentage of students getting scholarships is higher than most students realize.

I received a national scholarship, the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship for $5000; school scholarships; the Ambassador of International Education (sponsored by Cal State International Programs) for $1,200; and the China Painters Association Scholarship for $500.

So I applied and I studied abroad for a year in Florence. I went to two universities. I had to take my language courses at the CSU program in Florence, but I took all of my art courses at the Accademia di Belle Arti, which is an Italian institution.

I had very, very high expectations. I went to Italy knowing really very little about that country; knowing very little about the history and the language. I took a last-minute course in Italian before I left. And we weren't guaranteed a position in the Accademia, we had to apply. We had to do entrance exams like all of the other Italian students, show our portfolio, and do studio work. There was an art history section, and we were supposed to answer all of it. And it was in Italian, of course. I thought “I am not going to pass this!”

But everything turned out. The first few weeks that we were in Florence, we had an intensive language preparation program. But in Italy, I didn't even have to worry about the language because you're just exposed to it; I lived with it. I caught on really fast. I lived with other international students, and our common language was Italian. Just being there, you will catch on.

And, I was accepted into the Accademia, which started in November and ended in May. Most of the people in that program only take the one painting course. But me, being the overachiever I am, I wanted to have the option to stay for another year if I wanted. So I attempted to do all the courses that were required for the first-year student so I could return to the Accademia as a second-year student. I was just so fond of Italy.

I'm trying to go back for a second year. I felt like if I was to just come back here, I would be stopping everything halfway. I love the language. I can't say that I'm fluent. I'd like to be as fluent as I can just for my personal experience. I think this is all just for personal experience. Also, in terms of my art –I think I could have done better. I want to go back and show my professor that I can be more aggressive. I just want to give it another shot.

I think I learned a lot over there. The professors I chose really emphasized the concept behind the work. It was just very different from here. I was very glad that I was exposed to it. For me, I saw some very different artists, different styles.

I did a little bit of traveling, but not as much as everyone else because I was on a budget. I also did a little bit of traveling with my school program. And so I saw a pretty good amount of Italy. And I saw a lot through my Italian friend Francesco who took me to his family home almost every weekend, and I got to know a real Italian family. His mom makes her own pasta. His home is in Cesena, which is about two hours from Florence. He really taught me a lot, the way they think over there, the culture. The culture is just beautiful. I even love their culture.

I would have to say Cesena was my favorite city, because I got to know it and the people. What ties me to a place is the people. And I was really impressed with Amalfi. It was just nothing like I've ever seen–all the houses on the cliffs–and it was just so beautiful. So charming. It was great.

I really fell in love with the culture. And that's another reason why I want to go back. Just to see where it goes. I'm really actually looking to stay in Italy to live. Not right now, because my family is here, and I still have to graduate from Cal State Fullerton. And I want to get my master's, so I don't think I'll go there to live anytime soon. But when I see another opportunity, I'll take it.

If anyone would ask me about studying abroad, I would say do it. Do it, because it really is just a life-changing experience. It will really change your outlook. Over there I also got a sense of reality. It just makes you think, it makes you think. And that was the first year that I didn't work, and so I had to budget. Over there I was completely independent. Here, I had my sisters to lean onto. I was always with my sisters. I am very proud of myself that I didn't ask for one penny from my parents. I took out all my loans myself. I was lucky enough to get the scholarships that I received. Financially, studying abroad would have been as if I was living here. It is very doable.

I got so used to the lifestyle over there. I never thought I would be depressed coming back here because my family is the closest thing that I have. But I'm homesick for Italy; it's just little things that remind me that I'm not in Italy.

I don't know if all of my classes will transfer, but even if it all won't count, right now my mentality is not just about school, it's also about my personal growth. To me, I think going abroad is about my personal growth. What I'm doing is for my personal experience.

Recently, one of the girls who was applying to go to Italy next year messaged me on MySpace and it just brought me back, because I remember being in her place last year. She was asking me all these questions, and so of course I replied back to her. It was so great to be able to help her and advise her.

Eventually I can see myself living in Italy, if I can find a job. If it happens, that would be perfect.



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