Studying abroad in Florence, Italy has been a transformative experience where we have had a unique blend of history, culture, and education that has left a lasting impact on us. It is hard to believe how fast these past few months in Florence have flown by. Since arriving in January, our lives have been a swirl of cobblestone strolls, art-filled afternoons, language classes, and train rides that whisked us off to new corners of Italy and Europe. Here are some of the invaluable lessons learned during our time in this enchanting city.
Embracing Cultural Diversity
Florence is a melting pot of cultures, and living here taught us the importance of embracing diversity. We interacted with people from various backgrounds, which broadened our perspectives and helped us appreciate different ways of life. This cultural immersion fostered a sense of global citizenship and empathy, making us more open-minded and adaptable. While being here, we have become more open, not just to new foods or ways of doing things, but to people and their stories. We discovered how cultural diversity is not just something to observe it is something to celebrate and engage with. Each interaction made the world feel a little smaller, and our understanding of it a little deeper.
The City is Our Classroom
Back home, art and history often live behind glass in museums. But in Florence, they’re everywhere. We passed centuries old churches on our daily walks. We sat on the steps of basilicas that Michelangelo might’ve passed by. We stood before Michelangelo’s David and could almost feel the Renaissance all around us.
Traveling through Italy only deepened this appreciation. From the ruins of Rome to the canals of Venice, each city whispered stories of the past. And it was not just about admiring it all, it was about learning how these histories still shape modern Italy. Art here is woven into the city’s fabric. Living among it made us see not just Florence, but the world around us, with new eyes.
Language is More Than Words
When we first arrived, Nadia and Alyssa’s Italian was basic at best, whereas Caley carried conversations. But with classes with amazing professors, lots of practice, and patience, we are all able to converse in Italian together. We started understanding signs, catching bits of conversations on the street, and eventually stringing together full sentences.
Learning Italian helped us feel less like visitors and more like participants in daily life. But even more than that, it reminded us how important communication is not just through language, but through gestures, smiles, and effort. Locals appreciated when we tried, and that effort often opened doors to moments we never could’ve planned for. Language learning taught us humility, perseverance, and how deeply we all crave connection.
Independence is Built
Studying abroad is a crash course in independence. From figuring out weighing your produce at the grocery store to navigating foreign train systems, every day came with a new challenge. We learned how to solve problems without defaulting to Google Maps or asking someone back home. We grew comfortable being uncomfortable.
But this independence is not just about logistics, it is about confidence. It was in the quiet morning walks to class, the solo café visits with just a journal and espresso, and the weekends where we planned entire trips ourselves. Florence taught us that we are capable of far more than we realized. And now, going home does not feel like a return to routine, it feels like the beginning of something even bigger.
Final Sips and Lasting Lessons
As our time in Florence wraps up, we are filled with a bittersweet mix of gratitude and nostalgia. This city with golden sunsets over the Arno, and its music echoing through piazzas has left a lasting impact on us.
But more than just souvenirs or snapshots, we are leaving with lessons and friends that will last a lifetime. We have learnt to appreciate differences, to value the past, to communicate more deeply, and to trust ourselves. And maybe most importantly, we have learned that no matter where we go next, a part of Florence will always be with us.
Here is a short video we created encapsulating our time here:
Ciao for now, Firenze. Grazie di tutto – Alyssa Lopez, Nadia Bauco & Caley Neville
