From the moment I signed up to study abroad, boarded my transatlantic flight, and began planning a six-week itinerary, a whirlwind of emotions rushed through my mind. I was excited for the adventures that were soon to come, nervous to live with people I had never met before, petrified to leave what was safe and familiar for six weeks, and overjoyed at the thought of experiencing my own Euro summer.
I will never forget how I felt when I first arrived in Florence: hot, jet-lagged, and completely exhausted. At the time, I feared those feelings would define the next six weeks. In a way, they did, just not in the way I expected. The heat only got worse (shoutout to Powerades and liter water bottles), the jet lag never truly disappeared as I spent weekends traveling across Europe, and the exhaustion remained because there was always something new to see, somewhere new to go, and another memory waiting to be made.
As soon as I got off the plane, I opened the Notes app on my phone and pulled up the long list I had spent months creating: restaurants I wanted to try, places I wanted to visit, and photos I hoped to recreate. Immediately, I began checking things off one by one. The Pinterest boards, TikToks, and Instagram posts I had spent countless hours scrolling through were no longer a digital dream, they had become my reality.
I was no longer sitting in the United States imagining what a summer in Italy might look like. I was finally there. I could eat gelato along the Arno under the Tuscan sun, wander through bustling markets filled with fresh produce and handmade art, and even take my first Ryan Air flight.
What I didn’t realize at the time was that Florence would give me far more than what I had saved to my Pinterest board. Somewhere between the tourist attractions and everyday routines, Florence became more than a destination. It became a place that taught me how to slow down, appreciate life’s little moments, and find a home thousands of miles away from my own.
Long before I boarded my plane and arrived in Italy, I already had expectations of what my time in Florence would look like. Like many study abroad students, I spent months researching the Florentine lifestyle; Googling what to pack, creating Pinterest boards filled with places I wanted to visit, and saving TikToks that captured the essence of the summer I imagined I would soon have.
My social media feeds were filled with overflowing fruit markets, mountains of gelato, Vespa rides through the Tuscan countryside, rooftop aperitivos, golden sunsets along the Arno that seemed too beautiful to be real, and glasses of Hugo Spritz that I couldn’t wait to cheers with friends.
Every photo saved to my camera roll and every post added to my collection represented a version of Florence I hoped to experience. I wanted the picture-perfect moments, the ones that stopped me mid-scroll and made me think, “Wow, I need to go there.”
Looking back, Florence delivered many of those moments beautifully. The gelato really was as good as it looked online, especially the Speculoos flavor from Sbrino. The sunsets weren’t edited or exaggerated; they genuinely looked like that in real life. And Pixar’s Luca wasn’t overselling Cinque Terre when it portrayed it as one of the most magical places in Italy.
But what surprised me most wasn’t how accurately social media portrayed Florence. It was realizing that the moments I cherish most are the ones I never planned for.
The memories I didn’t pin, save, research, or add to a bucket list ended up becoming the most meaningful. While the Florence I expected was beautiful, the Florence I found gave the experience its heart.
While Florence exceeded all of my expectations, the version of the city that ultimately captured my heart wasn’t found on Pinterest boards, travel guides, or my TikTok For You Page. It was found in the routines I developed and the places that slowly became familiar.
It was taking all of my friends to Bastioni di San Niccolò to grab a €6 Passionfruit Hugo Spritz before making the trek up to Piazzale Michelangelo to watch the sunset and dance to live music overlooking the city. It was spending Florence’s few rainy days studying inside Giunti Odeon, a bookstore, cinema, café, and restaurant all tucked beneath one breathtaking roof. It was discovering hidden record stores and getting lost in them for hours while searching for vinyls from my favorite artists, my best find being Blue Slide Park by Mac Miller. It was taking photos in vintage photo booths, stumbling upon street artists, and watching performers gather a sea of strangers with nothing more than a guitar and a voice.
My favorite places in Florence weren’t necessarily the famous landmarks, although they were undeniably breathtaking. Instead, it was the places that became meaningful because of the memories attached to them. Lion’s Fountain wasn’t just a pub; it was where study abroad students from around the world became friends. Piazzale Michelangelo wasn’t just a viewpoint; it was where strangers danced together as the sun disappeared behind the city skyline.
Even something as simple as walking through Florence’s winding streets became an adventure. Somewhere along the way, I stopped worrying about getting to my next destination and started appreciating where I already was. In doing so, Florence stopped feeling like the city I was studying abroad in and started feeling like a place I belonged.
By the end of six weeks, I realized I wasn’t just checking places off a list anymore. I had favorite restaurants, favorite study spots, favorite sunset views, and favorite streets to wander. Somewhere between being a tourist and becoming a local, Florence became more than a destination; it became a chapter of my life that I know I’ll carry with me forever.
Before studying abroad, food was often something I fit into my schedule rather than something I planned my day around. Between classes, work, and extracurricular activities, meals were often rushed, eaten on the go, or treated as a quick break before moving on to the next task. Florence completely changed that.
One of the first cultural differences I noticed was the way Italians approached food. Meals weren’t simply about eating; they were about connection. Whether it was a quick espresso at a café, a long dinner with friends, or an evening aperitivo overlooking the city, food became an opportunity to slow down and be present.
Some of my favorite memories from Florence happened around a table. It was spending hours at dinner talking with friends long after our plates had been cleared. It was grabbing a Sarti Spritz or Salted Caramel Espresso Martini at Green Street. It was wandering through local markets and admiring fresh produce that looked almost too perfect to eat. Even something as simple as stopping for a scoop of gelato became a daily ritual rather than a quick treat.
Of course, there were meals I will never forget. From enjoying authentic pasta dishes and truffle-covered specialties to discovering my favorite restaurants tucked away on side streets, every meal felt like an experience rather than an obligation. And while the food itself was incredible, what made those moments special were the people I shared them with.
Food became the backdrop for countless conversations, celebrations, and memories. It brought strangers together, strengthened friendships, and created a sense of community that transcended language and cultural differences.
More than anything, Florence taught me that food is not meant to be rushed. It is meant to be enjoyed. In a culture that often prioritizes productivity and efficiency, Italy reminded me that some of life’s most meaningful moments happen when we slow down, gather around a table, and simply enjoy each other’s company.
Looking back, I will remember the meals just as much as the monuments. Because while Florence is famous for its art, architecture, and history, some of my favorite lessons were learned over plates of pasta, scoops of gelato, and glasses raised in celebration with friends.
One of the most surprising parts of studying abroad wasn’t the places I visited—it was how quickly strangers became friends.
Before arriving in Florence, I was nervous about living with people I had never met before. Like many students, I wondered if we would get along, if we would have anything in common, and if six weeks would feel like a long time or a short one.
It turns out six weeks is enough time for complete strangers to become some of your favorite people.
There is something unique about studying abroad that accelerates friendships. Maybe it’s navigating unfamiliar places together, sharing train rides across Europe, or helping each other figure out which tram line to take. Whatever the reason, friendships form quickly when everyone is experiencing something new at the same time.
Some of my favorite memories aren’t tied to major landmarks or carefully plan ned excursions. They’re tied to the people who were standing next to me while they happened. The inside jokes that developed over six weeks. The spontaneous plans that started with “YOLO” The conversations that lasted long after midnight because nobody wanted the night to end.
What made Florence special wasn’t just the city itself, but the way it brought people together. It created a space where friendships could form across universities, states, and backgrounds. People who had never crossed paths before suddenly became roommates, travel companions, and sources of support.
Looking back, I realize that many of the places I loved most became meaningful because of who I experienced them with. The memories attached to those places are what transformed them from locations on a map into moments I’ll carry with me long after leaving Italy.
Years from now, I know I’ll remember the sunsets and the weekend trips. But more than anything, I’ll remember the people who shared them with me.
When people talk about studying abroad, they often focus on the places they visited, the food they ate, or the photos they took. While those things undoubtedly shaped my experience, the most meaningful part of my six weeks in Florence was the person I became because of them.
Before arriving in Italy, I approached life with a constant desire to stay busy. There was always another assignment to complete, another responsibility to take care of, or another item to cross off a to-do list. I was so focused on what was coming next that I often forgot to appreciate where I was in the present moment. Florence challenged that mindset.
For the first time in a long time, I found myself slowing down. Not because I had to, but because I wanted to. I spent afternoons wandering through the city with no destination in mind. I sat along the Arno watching the world move around me. I lingered over dinners, stayed for one more conversation, and learned that not every moment needed to be productive to be valuable.
Studying abroad also taught me that some of life’s best experiences cannot be planned. Despite the Pinterest boards, Notes app lists, and carefully researched itineraries, many of my favorite memories happened unexpectedly. They happened when plans changed, when trains were missed, when friends suggested something spontaneous, or when I simply said yes to an opportunity I hadn’t anticipated.
Most importantly, Florence taught me the importance of being present. It reminded me that life is not measured by how many places you visit or how many photos you take, but by how fully you allow yourself to experience the moments you’re in.
As I prepare to leave Florence, I am taking home far more than souvenirs or photographs. I am taking home a new appreciation for slowing down, embracing uncertainty, and finding joy in everyday moments. Those lessons will stay with me long after this summer ends
While Florence may have been the backdrop for these experiences, the growth that came from them is something I will carry with me wherever I go next
If you’re reading this before your own study abroad experience in Florence, my first piece of advice is simple: say yes.
Say yes to the weekend trip, even if the train ticket seems expensive. Say yes to trying a restaurant you’ve never heard of. Say yes to the spontaneous plans that weren’t on your itinerary. Some of my favorite memories came from moments I never planned for.
While you’re here, of course you’ll visit the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, and Piazzale Michelangelo. You should. They’re iconic for a reason. But don’t forget to leave room for the smaller moments too.
Spend an afternoon studying at Todo Modo, even if you don’t have homework. Grab your journal and a spritz from a wine window and make the walk up to Boboli Gardens. Get a photo strip from Fotoautomatica instead of buying another keychain. Sit along the Arno with your friends and talk until the streetlights come on.
A few of my recommendations:
- Order the Speculoos gelato from Sbrino.
- Stop by Contempo Records if you’re a music lover.
- Conversate with anyone and everyone
- If you have the chance, book the Vespa tour through Tuscany Cycle. Trust me.
- Take videos so you can be reminded of the sounds of being abroad
- Watch the sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo more than once. Every sunset feels different.
- Always get the Pistachio or Lavender Iced Latte with a Pistachio and Raspberry cake from Rivorno before class.
- Take a bus to Parco Fluviale Dell’Elsa to explore the waterfalls.
- Raft the Arno with Firenze Rafting
- Go to Vivoli when you need an affogato pick me up.
- Sign up for the ISI sponsored activities (especially the Cooking Class)
- Try the homemade almond milk and raspberry croissant from Cortese Cafe.
- Take advantage of your ISI student discount.
- Take more photos with your friends than of the monuments. Years from now, you’ll be more interested in remembering who you shared the experience with than what the Duomo looked like.
Most importantly, don’t spend your entire semester trying to document every moment. Some memories are meant to live outside of your camera roll.
One day you’ll be packing your suitcase, wondering how six weeks passed so quickly. You’ll realize that Florence was never just about the places you visited. It was about the friendships you built, the confidence you gained, and the version of yourself you discovered while you were here.
And somewhere between being a tourist and becoming a local, Florence will start to feel like home.
Enjoy every second of it.
By: Taneya Jackson, Molly Simpson, Rebecca Mooney, and Josie Jansich