Why Study Abroad in Florence?

Florence is more than just a city; it is a creative hub that connects people from all over the world who are eager to immerse themselves in Italian culture. Florence is a city full of opportunity, beauty and culture. With some of the world’s most influential museums, such as the Academia Gallery, Ferragamo Museum, Gucci Museum and so many more! Florence, located in the Tuscan region, is at the heart and center of Italy. Living in Florence becomes an emotional transition from becoming a tourist to becoming a resident of the city. With Florence’s city size being on the smaller side, you are able to create meaningful connections with those around you that are guaranteed to last a lifetime

Trying New Things

Allowing yourself to try new things opens the door for personal growth. Pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone can feel scary, but there is nothing more rewarding than learning new things through shared experience. It can be difficult to navigate a new city, especially one very foreign to what you have always known. In Florence, you will immerse yourself in the language of Italian, and though that can be intimidating, more risk leads to higher reward. While living in Florence, you are given the opportunity to exercise the language you learn, applying it to the real world. Trying new things also allows us to problem-solve; outside of study abroad, you will be forced to attack real-world problems head-on as they come. When you are pushed out of your comfort zone, you are given a great introduction to the world.

Newfound Independence

During your time in Florence, you will gain a newfound independence. Being abroad opens a whole new door of independence for students, as you are no longer living by your parents’ side, making you responsible for your actions and decisions. When traveling to a new country for study abroad, you will be forced to balance academics while also maintaining a social life. It is important to find a healthy balance to ensure that you are making the most of your time in Florence. Florence is the perfect place for students to study abroad since Italy is known for its pasta, and it is local, including all of the necessary ingredients, making groceries more affordable for students. When gaining a newfound independence, it is important to learn how to budget, and there is no other perfect place to do so than in Florence!

Art & Culture in Florence…

You should study in Florence for the vast amount of ways to get involved in your new community. I am sure that whichever study abroad program you choose, there will be countless ways to give back to the community. For example, ISI Florence sends weekly newsletters informing its students about possible community service opportunities. One example is “The Big Event,” which is a day where American universities come together and clean up different areas of Florence as a thank you for the hospitality of their city. Another example of a community service opportunity provided by ISI Florence is “Corri La Vita,” which is an opportunity to either run or walk 11 km through the historic streets of Florence to help fund Breast Cancer research. I highly encourage you to choose to study in Florence so you too have the opportunity to give back to a small city and make a difference.

Getting Involved…

Florence is a creative hub where people who share common goals come together to learn about Italian culture. There are countless museums that add to Florence’s art history and culture. One example of a museum in Florence that is deeply rooted here is the Museum of Soccer. Soccer is not only important in the city of Florence but also important to Italy as a whole. While in Italy, learning about soccer is crucial to understanding the culture, as it is not only a sport but also a way of life. Another museum in Florence that adds to its art history and culture is the Academia Gallery. The Academia Gallery houses Florence’s most important monument, which is known as the Statue of David. David symbolizes Florence’s independence after the Renaissance. As you can see, Florence is home to many of the most important museums in Italy making it a great place to learn and grow during your time abroad.