Picture This: 

Picture your life two years from now. You’re in a full-time job, sitting at a desk, counting down the days until the weekend or your next PTO. Maybe you love your job, maybe you don’t, but either way, it becomes your reality. Your college friends who you used to be a walk away from are now scattered across the country, and you’re starting a new chapter that looks a lot more routine than it does romantic.

But right now, you still have one semester—one last stretch of college where you’re given a rare and beautiful opportunity: the chance to travel. Not just travel for a week or two, but to truly live somewhere new. To immerse yourself in a different culture, to meet people from all over the world, to get lost (and found again) in unfamiliar streets. You’re given the gift of time; four whole months to soak up life in your 20s, to make memories that will live in your heart long after your passport stamps fade.

That’s why we chose Florence.

Why Florence

We wanted a home base that felt small and warm. Somewhere that had that dreamy European atmosphere, where people were kind, the food was authentic and rich. Florence gave us all of that, and so much more. Florence is magic. And the more we traveled—from fast paced cities to the deserts of Africa to the mountains of Switzerland—the more we realized just how special Florence truly is. It became our home. 

So why study abroad in Florence? Because it gives you everything you didn’t know you needed. 

And trust us, you’ll never forget it.

Ava’s Abroad Experience: 

Going abroad has been something I wanted to do since a very young age. I constantly romanticized and thought about the incredible things I would see, people I would meet, and things I would learn. However, every aspect of my study abroad experience has truly exceeded my expectations. I won’t be unrealistic and say that things can’t and won’t be hard. Everyone will face adjustments and challenges along the way. But, I can confidently say I would not trade this experience for the world. 

The people I have met, buildings I have seen, things I have learned, and places I have traveled to will stick with me throughout all of my future endeavors. 

I have found a true connection to Florence. From my daily walks past the Duomo, to my weekly trips to Piazzale Michelangelo and the Boboli gardens, I feel extreme gratitude for this city. Every street sign and building feels like it has history, and it does. 

I have learned about myself along the way and stepped outside of my comfort zone. I’ve tried cow stomach, jumped out of a helicopter, and road ATVs in the Sahara dessert (which yes, they terrified me). Outside of the extravagant adventures, I have rediscovered my love for journaling and reading, my love for just being outside and taking in every moment, and taking the time appreciate where I am and not always look a million steps ahead. 

My “Why Florence?” is everything. If you are reading this and have the resources to go abroad and doubting it, take that step. 

Deanna’s Abroad Experience:

My parents instilled in me a deep appreciation for travel from a young age. For them, it was never just about visiting new places, it was about fully immersing yourself in the experience. It’s the little things that make it special: the people you meet, the food you try, the music you hear, the sights you see, and the memories that stay with you long after you leave.

So when they told me that Florence was their favorite place they had ever visited, I knew I had to experience it for myself. Studying abroad here was never something I questioned. it felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity I couldn’t pass up. And it truly has been the most eye-opening and unforgettable experience of my life. Living in Florence has introduced me to people I never would’ve met otherwise and has deepened my appreciation for the little things that make life so rich. The culture, the music, the food—every part of it has far exceeded anything I ever imagined. I’ve grown so much and have learned things about myself that I never would have back home. With every challenge came immense growth, and while studying abroad wasn’t always an easy adjustment, it pushed me in the best ways. There were ups and downs, but each experience taught me something valuable. I’ll carry the lessons, the memories, and the growth with me for the rest of my life.

As I prepare to leave Florence, I know I’m leaving a piece of my heart behind. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have lived here, and even more grateful to be able to call this city a second home. The memories I’ve made will stay with me forever, and I hope one day to return and inspire my children to see the world the way my parents inspired me.

Recommendations: 

The David: https://www.galleriaaccademiafirenze.it/

Osteria Delle Tres Panche: https://www.osteriadelletrepanche.com/

Connect With Us! 

Ava Glaser: www.linkedin.com/in/ava-glaser-88944a201

Deanna Levine: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deanna-levine-258058244/

Learn More: 

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