When people imagine studying abroad, they often dream of cobblestone streets, charming cafés, breathtaking views, and endless opportunities to explore. For us, studying abroad in Florence, Italy turned that dream into a reality—one filled with espresso-fueled mornings, museum strolls, new friendships, and unforgettable life lessons.

If you’re considering a study abroad experience, here’s why we believe Florence is the perfect place to learn, grow, and explore.

A City That Feels Like a Museum

Florence is alive with history. Around every corner, there’s a piece of the Renaissance waiting for you—whether it’s the Duomo’s dome, the Uffizi’s masterpieces, or the quiet elegance of a tucked-away church. You’re not just reading about art, food, and culture—you’re living it. We chose Florence because it’s a city full of art, food, and history. With so many things to do and see, it never feels boring or repetitive. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to travel to other Italian cities thanks to Italy’s fast and efficient train system.

Academics That Push You to Grow

We took some of the most unique and hands-on classes here—Oil Painting, Cross-Cultural Psychology, and Communication, Social Media, and Social Food. Our professors were not only knowledgeable, but genuinely kind and passionate. Whether it was interviewing Italian locals, learning how to oil paint, or creating content for small businesses, we were constantly pushed outside of our comfort zones.

One standout moment? In our communication class, we visited, Dini Caffè, a local family-owned coffee roastery run by women. Seeing the full coffee production process and the passion behind it was inspiring—and a rare opportunity we wouldn’t have had at home. You can read our blog about the experience here. Classes in Florence are smaller and more intimate than at our home universities. And yes, classes can be long—3.5 hours long—but they’ve taught us how to focus, adapt, and really engage.

Culture That Slows You Down (In a Good Way)

One of the biggest adjustments was learning to slow down. Most cafés and shops near our school don’t open until 9 or 10 a.m., and Italians really take their time with food and coffee. Unlike in the U.S., where grabbing a to-go latte is the norm, here you’re encouraged to sit, sip, and savor.Even though we didn’t take Italian classes, picking up fun phrases like “Ciao”, “Grazie”, and our personal favorite—“Allora”—helped us feel more connected. Florence has a way of making you feel like part of the rhythm, even if you’re just passing through.

A Typical Day in Florence

Our days usually start with a 15-minute walk to class through the city’s winding streets. During breaks, we often stop by Melaleuca or Rivarno Café—both are cozy spots near our building. After class, it’s lunch (shoutout to Pino’s sandwich shop!) and then either exploring the city, doing homework, or taking in the view from places like Piazzale Michelangelo.

Florence isn’t just beautiful—it’s walkable, student-friendly, and full of life at every hour.

Gelato, Sandwiches, and Home Away from Home

Let’s talk about the real stars of Florence: the food! Our go-to gelato spot is Badiani Gelato Tosinghi. They offer generous portions and an amazing variety of flavors. For lunch, we can’t recommend Pino’s enough. It’s tasty, affordable, and only steps from campus. We recommend getting the Brasco! As for housing, we stayed in an apartment-style dorm. It was comfortable, spacious, and gave us a true sense of independence. Plus, our roommates were great!

Traveling Around Italy (The Good & The Unexpected)

We visited Cinque Terre, the Amalfi Coast, Rome, Lucca, Pisa, and Venice—each one more beautiful than the last. Traveling around Italy was pretty easy with the train system, but it wasn’t always perfect. Train strikes, missing elevators, and unexpected costs made some days tougher than others.

If you’re okay with taking the long (but cheaper) bus ride vs. the fast (but pricey) train, you’ll learn to budget and plan wisely!

Personal Growth That Lasts a Lifetime

Since coming to Florence, we’ve become more independent, more open-minded, and more confident. It took courage to put ourselves out there—to meet people, navigate a new city, and live far from home—but now, Florence feels like a second home.

One of the most powerful lessons we’ve learned is this:

You can do anything you put your mind to.

At first, we couldn’t even believe we were here. But now, we realize that we created this experience—and we can create so many more.

Would We Recommend It? Absolutely.

Studying abroad in Florence is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You’ll learn more than you ever expected—not just in the classroom, but about yourself, your values, and your place in the world. If you’re on the fence, our advice is simple:
Say yes. Take the leap. Florence is waiting.

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Special Thank You to ISI Florence!

By: America Paredes and Arya Rajesh