The Routine of Life at Home
For many university students, daily life tends to follow a familiar pattern: wake up, get ready, attend classes, study, and repeat. The routine becomes predictable, and for many, it’s all about getting through the week, looking forward to weekends, upcoming breaks, or the long-anticipated summer vacation. It’s an easy rhythm to fall into, especially when everything around you feels known and comfortable.
My name is Lauren , a newfound blog writer and student myself who attends the University of Connecticut, working alongside my friends and collaborators, Persephone and Cecilia. Together, we’ve experienced this routine, and we’ve also discovered how transformative it can be to break away from it. One of the most eye-opening ways to do that? Studying abroad .
A Dream Becomes a Goal
At some point, we all imagine what it might feel like to step outside of our usual routine—to trade the familiar classroom walls for historic streets, new languages, and unforgettable meals. But what if that daydream didn’t stay a dream?
Studying abroad turns “maybe someday ” into a real, achievable goal. In the summer of 2025, I did just that—Persephone, Cecilia, and I sat down and we chose Florence, Italy for a six-week program over the summer, and what began as a simple idea became a truly life-shaping experience. And here’s the thing: it is as incredible as everyone says. Beyond the travel and the beauty, studying abroad teaches you to pay attention, to savor the moment, to embrace discomfort, and to find value even in the routines you once took for granted.
This isn’t just about Italy. It’s about anywhere outside your norm. It’s about choosing to make your education global, your perspective wider, and your goals bolder. So if studying abroad is still just a dream for you, maybe it’s time to turn it into a reality.
The Magic of Arrival
There’s nothing quite like your first moment in a new country. The second you step into Florence, Italy, the senses come alive—warm croissants in the morning air, the rich aroma of espresso, the sound of scooters weaving through Renaissance streets, and the golden Tuscan sun lighting up centuries-old architecture. It’s not just a place—it’s a full sensory experience .
Italy doesn’t whisper; it announces itself with flavor, color, and history. From the first bite of handmade pasta to the first glimpse of Michelangelo’s David, every moment feels cinematic. Whether you’re wandering through medieval alleys, standing on a sun-drenched piazza, or trying your first real Florentine steak , you’re not just studying abroad—you’re living abroad .
But with all that beauty comes something even more powerful: growth. The magic of arrival is more than just awe—it’s about stepping outside your comfort zone and realizing how much more there is to learn, see, and become. Florence offers the perfect blend of inspiration and challenge, art and life, past and present.
If you’re dreaming of something more than lectures and late-night study sessions, it’s time to consider a new classroom—one with fresher air, better coffee, and far more adventure.
Exploration, Experiences, and Lessons
There are some things you can only understand by seeing them with your own eyes.
Standing before the Duomo in Florence, you’ll wonder how something so intricate, massive, and awe-inspiring could have been built by human hands centuries ago. Visit the Colosseum in Rome and you don’t just see history—you feel it radiate from the stone. Swim in the impossibly blue waters of the Amalfi Coast and you’ll realize postcards don’t come close to capturing the real thing.
Italy offers more than a destination—it offers discovery . Every street corner is a classroom, every landmark a lesson. From Amsterdam to Nice, Croatia to Rome, travel becomes more than sightseeing—it becomes transformation. When you study abroad, you open the door not just to one country, but to many. Each trip you take is a new chance to learn, to explore, and to challenge everything you thought you knew about the world.
Imagine walking the streets you’ve only seen in films. Eating food that redefines your idea of flavor. Making lifelong friendships with people you would have never crossed paths with back home. These aren’t just memories—they’re moments that shape who you become.
A New Appreciation for Time
When students talk about their time abroad, they often say, “It flew by.” And yes, when looking back, the weeks can feel like a blur. But what makes studying abroad truly unforgettable isn’t how fast time moves—it’s how deeply you begin to feel it.
In Florence, even the quietest days became meaningful. A slow morning coffee, a casual stroll down cobblestone streets, a simple moment of stillness shared with friends in the middle of a bustling piazza—these weren’t just pauses; they were lessons. Studying abroad teaches you not only to explore the world, but also to slow down and see it.
This isn’t just about travel—it’s about shifting perspective. You return home not just with souvenirs, but with a deeper appreciation for your routines, your culture, and the life you’re building. You learn to embrace stillness just as much as adventure, to find presence in the everyday. Studying abroad doesn’t just change where you go—it changes how you live.
The Takeaway: Why You Should Go Too
If you’re waiting for the “right time” to study abroad, this is it.
Set aside the excuses. The cost will fade; the memories won’t. Homesickness? It disappears the moment you step into a new city that makes your heart race with possibility. All the reasons not to go won’t matter once you’re standing under the Tuscan sun, hearing new languages, tasting new foods, and realizing the world is far more open than you imagined.
So here it is—your sign: Go.
Go abroad. Go beyond what’s familiar. Go find yourself in a place that redefines everything.
Want More Stories, Tips, and Inspiration?
Follow us on TikTok , Instagram , and YouTube , and keep up with all things travel, study abroad, and student life! Google search and find advice and suggestions in the reviews as well!
Blog posts by Lauren More, Persephone Deeds, and Cecilia Chu.