Italian: 

The citizens of Firenze are well read and cultured people.  Since I was in college, I've always loved Romance languages, especially French and Spanish.  For the past few years, however, I've been laser focused on learning Italian.  It's taken me three years, but now I'm officially "fluent" to the point where I am confident in communicating in depth with anyone in Italy.   Often even Italians think I'm a native Italian and ask me where in Italy I'm from.  That's the power of staying focused!  My focused energy had a purpose and it finally paid off because I was able to move to Italy and make a very, very smooth transition as a fluent speaker into the Academy and into the Italian society and culture.