You don’t expect to miss home when you’re surrounded by a city as beautiful as Florence. Every street feels alive, every view unforgettable. And yet, homesickness has a quiet way of showing up—more often than some of us would like to admit.

But the solution is right under our noses, and, yes, it smells delicious. 

For those nights when you wish you were surrounded by your family at the dinner table, make a home-cooked meal with your roommates to ease that ache.

We started at the Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio to gather everything we needed for dinner. Walking through the stalls, we were surrounded by the sights, smells, and sounds of authentic Italian life—fresh produce, cured meats, and friendly vendors—while picking out ingredients that reminded us of home. We decided to make one of our moms’ classic recipes: steak, roasted potatoes, and Brussel sprouts. A simple meal, but one full of memories.

Back at our apartment, the kitchen came alive. We turned on our favorite music, opened a bottle of wine, got to cooking, and laughed over our mistakes. 

We weren’t just making dinner—we were recreating a feeling of home. By the time we set the table, the apartment already felt more like the place we longed for.

Living abroad teaches you many things, but one of the most unexpected lessons is this: home isn’t something you lose when you leave. It’s something you carry with you—and sometimes, you even get to rebuild it in new places, with new people.

So, to any students abroad feeling this way, remember: it’s okay to miss home. Nights like these make Florence feel a little more like home than it already does.

Written By: Mariana DiBias, Ella Price, & Julia Pyfer

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Mercato Sant’Ambrogio