Introduction: The Hype Is Real
Before coming to Florence, I kept hearing the same thing: “It’s the best experience ever.” After a while, it started to feel a little overhyped. Everyone seems to say that about studying abroad, especially somewhere like Florence, so I arrived feeling excited but also a bit skeptical. But after actually living here, I understand it. Florence is not just talked about because it’s beautiful, it’s talked about because of how it makes you live. It’s the way everything comes together, the size of the city, the people, the culture, and the rhythm of everyday life, that makes it so special. And honestly, they’re right.
The Perfect Size: Big Enough to Explore, Small Enough to Feel Like Home
One of the biggest reasons Florence lives up to the hype is how perfectly it is set up as a city. It is the ideal size. There is always something to do. New restaurants, cafés, and places to explore never really run out. But at the same time, it does not feel overwhelming or too big. Everything is walkable, which completely changes your daily routine. You are not commuting long distances or relying on transportation. Instead, you are walking everywhere, taking in the city as you go. Over time, you start to recognize streets, revisit your favorite spots, and build your own routine. It begins to feel less like a place you are visiting and more like a place you belong. That balance is something that makes Florence stand out immediately.
The People: Feeling Welcome in a New Place
Another reason people always talk about Florence is the atmosphere, and a huge part of that comes from the people. There is a sense of warmth here that you notice right away. Whether it is someone taking the time to help you figure out a menu, or locals being patient while you try to speak Italian, those small moments make a big difference. It makes adjusting to a new country so much easier when you feel welcomed instead of out of place. And that is something that you cannot fully understand until you experience it for yourself.
Food Culture: It Is Not Just What You Eat, It Is How You Experience It
Food is obviously a huge part of Italian culture, but what really stands out is the mindset around it. Food in Florence is treated as an experience, not a convenience. Coming from the United States, I was used to grabbing food quickly or eating on the go. Here, everything slows down. You stand at a café and drink your espresso. You sit down for meals and actually take your time. You start to notice the quality of ingredients and the simplicity of dishes. It is not about having endless options, it is about doing a few things really well.
Some of my favorite places really reflect this. Vini e Vecchi Sapori is one of them. The food is amazing, but what makes it stand out is the atmosphere. It has such a family feel, and the service is genuinely welcoming. They are incredibly kind, and experiences like that feel much more common here than at home. It is not just about eating, it is about how you are treated while you are there, and that completely changes the experience.
Even smaller, everyday spots stand out too. I love Bar H9 as a café. It is one of those places where you can just stop in, have a coffee, and feel part of the routine. It is simple, but that is exactly what makes it special.
That shift in perspective is something that stays with you.
A Slower Pace That Changes Your Perspective
At first, the slower pace of life can feel like an adjustment. Things take longer. Plans are more flexible. Not everything is built around efficiency. But over time, you realize that this is actually one of the best parts of being here. You are not constantly rushing. You are actually present. You notice more, you appreciate more, and you enjoy things that you might normally overlook. And that is a big reason why people say this experience changes you, because it genuinely shifts how you approach everyday life.
Capturing What Makes It So Special
Another part of why studying abroad in Florence lives up to the hype is how easy it is to capture and share the experience as it is happening. Throughout my time here, I have used different platforms to document different sides of my life abroad, and each one tells its own story. Instagram reflects the more curated moments, the views, the food, and the overall aesthetic of the city, while TikTok captures the more real and unfiltered side of daily life. Video content, especially longer form like YouTube, brings everything together in a more immersive way and allows you to fully reflect on what you are experiencing. Being able to look back at this content makes you realize how much you have done, how much you have grown, and why this experience is something people continue to talk about long after it is over.
Why They’re Right: The Bigger Picture
So why does everyone talk about studying abroad in Florence? Because it ends up being more than just a place you spend a semester. It actually shifts the way you see things. You become more independent without even realizing it, more open to experiences you might not have said yes to before, and more aware of how differently people live. You learn how to adapt, how to slow down, and how to appreciate the smaller things that you probably took for granted before.
Final Thoughts: For Future Students (and Myself)
If you are thinking about studying abroad in Florence, there is a reason everyone keeps talking about it. And as much as it might sound overhyped at first, it really is not. It lives up to everything people say about it, and maybe even more. And to my future self, I hope you remember how it felt to walk everywhere, to sit in a café with no rush, and to fully experience a place instead of just passing through it.
Written by: Lana Sutera, Sydney Shapiro, Ava Dedomenico, Sophie Ambrosina
