Some of the most important lessons didn’t come from the classroom—they came from the experiences outside of them.
For us, studying abroad in Florence and traveling the world was one of these experiences.
What we thought would be a semester soley of adventure became something much more meaningful and transformative. It reshaped how we view the world, how we connect with others, and how we choose to live our everyday lives.
Learning to Grow Through the Unfamiliar
During our first few weeks in Florence, we learned resilience simply by navigating the unknown. Whether it was adjusting to the new culture, overcoming language barriers, or adapting to everyday routines, we realized that where comfort is absent, growth is inevitable.
Even simple tasks like ordering coffee, grocery shopping, or finding our way to class, became little opportunities to build confidence.
A Life Centered Around Food and Connection
One of the most impactful parts of living in Italy was experiencing its food culture.
Meals weren’t rushed. Instead, they became intentional moments of connection.
- Long dinners filled with laughter and conversation
- Aperitivo with friends after class
- Late-night gelato runs
- Slow mornings with a cappuccino
- Cooking classes with locals
These changed how we value time, relationships, and the seemingly ordinary moments that make life more meaningful.
The Perspectives Travel Gave Us
While Florence became our new home, much of our personal growth came from traveling to other countries. Each place offered new perspectives that shaped our experience even further.
- In Interlaken, we learned how vast the world can feel even in the smallest, most serene places, and how stepping outside our comfort zones—like skydiving over the Swiss Alps—can transform fear into one of the most rewarding experiences of our lives.
- In Paris, we realized how love truly is all around.
- In Dublin, we felt the joy of being surrounded by people united not by familiarity, but by shared experience, as the energy of St. Patrick’s Day showed us how quickly connection can form through collective experience.
- In Marrakech, we discovered the beauty of embracing a culture completely different from our own.
- In Venice, we appreciated the fragility of places, as experiencing a city so unique yet vulnerable reminded us to not take beauty and history for granted.
From Tourist to Local
At the beginning of the semester, we approached Florence like a tourist—trying to see everything as quickly as possible.
But over time, our perspectives changed and we started to slow down. In doing so, Florence stopped feeling like a place we were visiting, and truly felt like a place we all belonged.
A New Way of Living
Without the opportunity to study abroad, we wouldn’t have discovered how adaptable, independent, and present we can be.
More importantly, we want to remember:
- To slow down
- To embrace new experiences
- And to value connection and presence
By: Mariana DiBias, Ella Price, & Julia Pyfer
Watch Our Experience:
- TikTok Video: https://www.instagram.com/p/DXdwI2cDQts/
- Instagram Carousel: https://www.instagram.com/p/DXL_9pHDU1g/?img_index=1
- Youtube Video: Social Media .mp4
- LinkedIn Post: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7450127094292017152/
- Google My Business Review: https://share.google/2o2FAJlERQSKQOvlz