When I first arrived in Florence, I was actually really nervous. We got dropped off just outside the city center, and it didn’t look like any of the pictures or videos I had seen online. I remember thinking, “Is this really Florence?” But I quickly realized we were just a short walk from everything, and once I got settled and started exploring, I fell in love with the city. The location ended up being perfect, close enough to all the sights but far enough away to feel a little more local and calm.
One of my favorite parts of being abroad was traveling almost every weekend. I really tried to make the most of my time. My top three trips were Rome, Amsterdam, and Greece. Each place offered something totally different, from history and architecture to beaches and culture. I highly recommend getting the EUrail pass, it saved us a ton of money and made train travel super easy.
Florence itself was amazing. My favorite thing was trying new restaurants and going to a different coffee shop every day. I didn’t expect to fall in love with cappuccinos, but now I can’t go a day without one. Academically, I really enjoyed my classes because I took cooking and wine pairing. It was hands-on, fun, and actually useful.
Everyone spoke enough English that I didn’t struggle with Italian, although I picked up a few key words. As I get ready to return home, I know I’ll miss the walking, the daily coffee, and all the little cafes and shops that made every day feel special.
