When faced with the decision to study abroad, we contemplated the options of staying in a large city, or a small one that we can easily navigate ourselves. It wasn’t until our first day trip back from Rome that we knew this is where we were meant to be.
It is the conviviality of watching people enjoy themselves at restaurants everywhere on the street. It is the noisy sounds of the street filled with nothing but street musicians echoing through the alleys. Most of all, it is the feeling of coming back home after a jam-packed weekend or day trip and realizing that nothing has changed. The same streets feel familiar. The same songs are being performed. The same feeling of community that grows the more you return.
Every week we would come back from a brand new place, filled with unforgettable memories, but somehow finding ourselves to say to each other “I missed our home.” That is the beauty of studying abroad in Florence. You can leave feeling immersed and educated in a completely new culture, but still look forward to the city you willingly return to week after week.
What makes Florence even more special is not just the city itself, but the location at the heart of Italy. It serves as a launch point into endless cities and towns that deepen your understanding of the country.
Doing the Tuscany wine tour and exploring San Giminagno to learn about the traditional production methods of winemaking. Going horseback riding in Siena and learning about the pride of local neighborhoods and the countryside. Roaming through the streets of Venice and learning about the history and innovation of a city built on water. Taking in the historical sites in Rome and learning about how its ancient history shapes today’s modern society after the fall of the Roman Empire. Hiking up the Dolomites and learning about Italy’s diverse landscapes. Biking around Palermo and learning about the blend of cultures that have shaped its cuisine and architectural elements. Training across the five towns of Cinque Terre and learning about the balance between preservation and tourism of small communities. Watching the Olympics in Milan and learning about the influence of fashion and innovation.
All of these experiences share an important pattern: they begin and end in Florence. This journey has helped us achieve a deep immersion in Italian culture by going beyond the mainstream tourist experiences in order to understand the regional variety within the Italian lifestyle, cuisine, and history.
Transitioning from the initial culture shock to finally feeling like a local, we can look back on our experience and confidently say there is no better place to live than Florence. As these incredible four months come to an end, we will go back to the United States carrying more than just memories. We will bring back a deeper appreciation for taking in the history of a place and how it was shaped, eating food–whether at home or in a restaurant–with the people you value most, and going out of your comfort zone to discover new sites, hobbies, and skills. While we may be leaving Florence, a part of us will always remain in the version of ourselves we discovered in this special place.
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Written by Jessica Sherman and Jaclyn Koman