I just finished my first summer term studying fashion and sustainability in Florence, and it was absolutely incredible. What I thought was just a class, has translated to every part of the way I live my daily life here. I live with three awesome roommates in a very small apartment, with a washer a quarter of the size of my washer back home, no dryer, no microwave, no AC, and limited water usage. Today, we laugh about how jarring our first few days together were, because it forced us to figure things out, and bond instantaneously. While I was learning about sustainable textile usage in class, I was simultaneously googling how to work an Italian washer at home, and finding the most effective clothing placement on my (shared) drying rack. While learning about the effect of microplastics on the body from textiles, I began a collection of my empty glass containers, which are now used as my water cups, coffee syrup storage, and for my leftover dinners. The longer I’ve been in Florence, the deeper my appreciation for this city grows. People here are deeply rooted in respect for their city, and their belongings, so doing life in a way that minimizes my footprint means a lot to me, because I am only one of the approximate 15,000 study abroad students here. Living free from overconsumption, buying groceries locally from my friend Mauritzio, or finding my souvenirs local from artisans are small ways I can give back. It sounds obvious, my biggest piece of advice, and what I believe a big part of what has made my trip so successful, is not thinking of studying abroad as a vacation, but as an opportunity to observe culture, and learn from it.
