Written by: Alex Marek, Lindsay Fisher, Justus Miller, Mikylah Boring
Studying abroad is a big decision. Leaving the comfort of your home university, friends, family and classes to experience somewhere new and unfamiliar is daunting; it’s also one of the best decisions I have ever made. My experience in Florence, Italy has been full of new adventures, friends, food and knowledge. I learned about Italian culture and language, international travel and myself. Even though I was nervous, I knew I would always regret not taking the leap. It is normal to experience some homesickness and culture shock, but there are so many moments that make studying abroad worth it.
- A Home Away from Home
Florence was the perfect city to immerse myself in and discover over the spring semester. It is incredibly walkable and easy to navigate which makes it easy to know and love. It only took a few weeks to establish my favorite coffee shops, study spots and walking paths. Despite its small size, there is always something to do in the city. Florence is full of famous museums such as the Uffizi and Accademia, as well as countless others that offer free or discounted student admission. The Boboli gardens are the perfect place to stroll and have a picnic while Piazza Michelangelo provides the best view of the city at sunset. All of my friends were located in different parts of the city and each place was unique and special. I fell in love with my apartment in Sant’Ambrogio and frequently visited the food and flea markets. Santo Spirito is a beautiful area with a wonderful Sunday market perfect for shopping and strolling. No matter where you are in Florence, there is beauty and history around every corner.
2. Traveling the World
One of the main reasons I was interested in studying abroad was the opportunity to travel the world. Florence was the perfect home base for all of the spontaneous weekend trips. Each place we visited was so unique and offered a different cultural experience. One of the most unique experiences was visiting the Sahara Desert. The landscape was unlike anything I had seen before. We stayed at a campsite, ate delicious Moroccan food and rode camels through the dunes. I also loved exploring the quaint streets of European cities such as Bruges, Amsterdam, Barcelona and Budapest. I had the opportunity to visit many monuments, museums and landmarks. My favorite trip from the semester was Switzerland. The mountains and the bright blue lakes were breathtaking. I soared above the scenery while paragliding and got to ski in the Swiss Alps! I feel incredibly lucky to experience all of these wonderful places and none of it would have been possible without deciding to do a semester abroad!
3. Forever Friends
My semester abroad has brought me new friends that I will never forget. I came to Florence with a couple of friends from my home university. I was so grateful to grow our friendships by traveling the world and exploring Florence together. I also met people from different Universities through my classes and became close friends with my roommates who I didn’t previously know. Some of my favorite memories from this semester include talking to locals in all the places I visited. It is important to put yourself out there and speak to new people while abroad. You never know how you’ll meet your new best friend!
Taking the leap to study abroad is nerve wracking, but there are so many moments, friendships and experiences that make it worth it. When you step out of your comfort zone you learn so much about the world and yourself, so book that plane ticket!