Florence is often seen as a picture-perfect postcard. One with sunset pictures of the Duomo, aesthetic images of pasta and pizza, and the historical cobblestone streets. It is easy to think your experience will be picture perfect when picking up these postcards and seeing everyone’s highlight reels on social media. Upon arrival, you slowly begin to realize the deeper meaning behind studying abroad that is filled with meaningful moments. 

The reality is Florence is not just a place you are visiting, it is a place that allows you to grow and redefine your everyday routine. 

Beyond the famous TikTok restaurants, famous landmarks, and overall older aesthetic, daily life here is a lot slower forcing you to adapt and take in the environment around you. Slowly you begin to notice the differences in the ways locals greet each other, the concept of being on time is not as highly valued, and how people value connecting with others more than rushing through their day to get everything done on their to-do lists. As the semester goes on, you find yourself trying to immerse yourself in this lifestyle too. 

What starts out as just a four month program turns into a personal transformation.

Learning to Navigate, Not Just Explore

When you first arrive in Florence, everything is new and unfamiliar. Walking through streets with sidewalks not big enough for many people, not knowing the language, and even the simple grocery run seems daunting to find and then get the right items. You rely heavily on maps and directions to get you through your day being an observer as you adjust to a new routine. 

However, as the days turn into weeks, there is a shift. 

You stop observing and start navigating. 

You begin to recognize streets and get to class without using directions. You develop more of a routine leaving for class the same time each morning, stopping at a sandwich shop for a panini, and knowing the most efficient routes makes Florence start to feel more like home. Confusion eventually turns into confidence. 

This transition is not always noticeable at first but is significant. It marks the time when you transition from being a visitor to becoming part of the Florentine community. 

Navigation requires adaptability, awareness, and ambition to make this unfamiliar place your new home. You learn to not freak out when plans change or you get lost, your problem-solving skills increase when language barriers prevent asking a simple question, and you slowly learn how to rely on yourself rather than others in unfamiliar settings.

Fortunately, once you commit to putting in this work, these skills and traits apply beyond the Florence study abroad experience. Now that you have learned to navigate a new city and culture, you can confidently apply this to future travels and endeavors. 

The Commute to Travel Becomes Your Cultural Immersion

Traveling while studying abroad is what you often see in people’s highlight reels. Their epic weekend trips to Cinque Terre, Rome, and places outside of Italy such as Switzerland, Barcelona, and Budapest. What many don’t realize from the pictures is the most meaningful growth occurs in the journey to get there.

The commute becomes vital to personal growth.

Each weekend students often train to Rome, Bologna, Milan, or another neighboring city for their weekend adventures because Florence has a small airport. Finding the right platform at the train station and making sure you will make it on time initiates independence. Beyond navigating public transportation, this is an opportunity each weekend that allows you to take a moment to look for the smaller details in everyday Italian life. 

Sitting on the train, you notice locals connecting with each other, the go-with-the-flow pace of life in each region, and the accessibility to an abundance of destinations. 

Traveling becomes more meaningful when it becomes about more than just the destination but the journey to get there as well. 

You learn patience and adaptability when a train is delayed and you miss a connection. You learn how to pivot and still make it on your journey successfully leveraging your language skills from class to communicate with employees. 

This cultural immersion happens when you continue to expose yourself to these situations that can feel outside of your comfort zone but then begin to like second nature. Allowing yourself to take your experience moment by moment is what leads many to success and happiness letting go of the desire to want to control each small detail of every situation. 

Redefining What You Value in a Dining Experience

Food is at the center of the culture in Florence. Many visitors rely on the most liked TikTok videos with recommendations of where to eat thinking this is the best in the entire city. Yet, after spending some time checking out these spots, you begin to realize the importance of finding the more local places that aren’t as crowded and each table having people who speak English. 

It is very evident immediately that dining is made to be an experience, not rushed or another task to check off your list for the day, rather an opportunity to enjoy delicious food with people you desire to spend time with. 

Dining paves the way for connection with the conversation started of the food you are being served.

Over time, your perspective begins to change when you start to value the atmosphere of the restaurant, the quality of the food itself, and the access it does or does not give you to local life. 

Convenience is seen as an afterthought, while immersion becomes the priority.

This shift feels natural as you begin to learn more of the language in class, have an established everyday routine, and begin to realize how quickly time moves. It forces you to evaluate how you want to spend every moment, often leading you to more local spots and ensuring you are experiencing these moments with people who bring you nothing but joy.

Florence teaches you that even a simple dinner can lead you to a pivotal person in your experience along with a memorable meal to tell people at home about. 

Beyond the Lens: The Reality Behind Social Media 

Florence is known as one of the most beautiful cities in the world with endless photographs that try to capture the essence. On social media, there are countless photos with perfect lighting, stunning architecture, and people’s favorite moments. 

Yet, living here for an entire semester gives you more meaning behind these pictures.

Social media only reflects the picture perfect moments. Yet, you get lucky that you live in reality by having layers to your experience which might not have always been “picture perfect” but essential to your personal growth journey.

Your experience with moments of discomfort and uncertainty as well as navigating the discipline it requires to be able to travel every weekend and succeed academically sets you up for success in life when you lead with confidence, courage, and curiosity. 

The most meaningful parts of study abroad are often not captured in the aesthetic Instagram post but the lessons you learn from allowing yourself to explore that led you to getting the photo.

This change in perspective allows you to go through study abroad focusing less on how Instagrammable your experience looks and more on creating the memories and formulating the independence that will set you up for future success. You also become more aware of the gaps between the highlight reels and reality, gaining a deeper appreciation for your own unique journey with obstacles you were able to overcome. 

Reflection

As our study abroad experience is coming to a close, Florence has offered us more than just the postcard to take home and memories. 

It has offered us a deeper appreciation and understanding of various cultures, newfound independence, and the perspective of focusing on ways to enhance each experience to ensure you live life with no regrets.

Florence has taught us to slow down and appreciate the small details that have come together to give us an unforgettable semester.

“I have gained newfound independence this semester when I developed the confidence in myself that I can navigate myself and found value in taking time to explore on my own.” Alexa Konover 

“Experiencing different cultures through my travels has helped me grow into a more adaptable and well-rounded person.” Max Sigel

“Florence didn’t just change where I was; it changed how I see, how I feel, and who I’m becoming. Even as I leave, a part of me will always remain in the life I built here.” Lindsey Rosenberg

“While studying abroad, I didn’t just find new places, but a stronger and more independent version of myself. Leaving Florence means leaving a place I grew in but taking with me a version of myself I am proud of.” Abigail Wickersham

“In Florence, I didn’t just study abroad—I learned how to see the world differently. Some lessons come from books. The best ones come from wandering the streets of Florence.” Erin O’Shaughnessy

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