People always ask, what’s the best place to study abroad? Some will say “Europe,” but never get too specific. Others might tell you, “Go to Australia! You’ll never experience anything like it!” But after living it myself, I can confidently tell you that there is only one correct answer: Florence, Italy.
To some, Florence might just seem like another destination to check off the bucket list. But after spending a semester here, I can promise you it’s so much more than that. Florence has become my home away from home and a total escape from reality. It really is a place where I have learned not only about the world but also about myself.
The moment I stepped foot into Florence, I felt something shift. It wasn’t just the cobblestone streets, the golden hour light washing over the Arno River, or the way the Duomo seems to follow you wherever you walk, it was the energy. Florence has this fascinating blend of history, beauty, and life. You feel like you’re living in a painting, yet somehow more alive than ever before.
And while Florence itself has had me completely hooked, one of the best parts of studying abroad there is how easy it was to explore beyond it. On weekends, we hop on trains, planes, and sometimes camels (more on that in a second) and find ourselves in totally different worlds. Florence has some of the easiest access to travel!
One weekend, we traded our walking shoes for ski boots and hit the Swiss Alps. Yes, it’s entirely possible to go from sipping wine in Tuscany on Friday to racing down snowy slopes in Switzerland on Saturday. The mountains were stunning, majestic and peaceful, and the contrast with Florence’s artistic Renaissance feel made the whole experience feel surreal. After days on the slopes, we returned to Florence with stories that didn’t feel real until we scrolled through our photos!
Another weekend took us somewhere that I never expected in my life to go, and that was Morocco. We flew down to the desert and ended up riding ATVs across the beautiful sand dunes. It was dusty, wild, and completely unforgettable. Afterward, we got a traditional Moroccan meal cooked for us by natives as we fully immersed ourselves into a whole new culture. It was one of those moments where we realized just how big and beautiful the world is and how lucky we were to be out exploring it.
But as incredible as all the trips were, I can confidently say that nothing compared to life in Florence. The food? Ridiculous. You think you’ve had good pasta until you try a bowl of fresh Ragu in a tiny trattoria where the waiter speaks no English and gives you several free limoncello shots with the check. Every meal felt like a celebration of flavor, community, taking your time. From pizza slices cooked to perfection to gelato that actually ruins all other ice cream for you, Florence fed us in more ways than one.
The culture here moves at a different pace. People take the time to greet each other, to enjoy a coffee at the bar (never to-go!), to sit in the sun with friends and talk for hours. Art isn’t just in the museums, it’s in the architecture, the music floating through piazzas, the passion in people’s voices. Florence doesn’t just show you how to live; it shows you how to feel alive. So after this semester when people ask me, “Where should I study abroad?” I will never hesitate. Florence. Always Florence. Because in this magical city, I haven’t just learned about art, language, or culture. I’ve learned so much about myself, and that’s something no other place ever quite gave me.
Want a closer look at why Florence is the place to study abroad? Check out our TikTok and YouTube videos for a quick glimpse into what it is be like to be an ISI student.
Written by: Emma Naughton, Jordan Sacco, Nicole Egizi, Cara Ianuzzi