The time I spent in Italy were six weeks full of learning both inside the classroom and outside, in the heart of the city center. Both of the courses I completed took place in classrooms and observing the busy city center of Florence, which furthered my understanding of the concepts presented in both classes. In order to feel confident in my reflections and advice on studying abroad, I waited two weeks after my arrival home to write this post and I look forward to exploring opportunities to encourage other students to study abroad.
The photo above highlights my experience living in the city because once you were a short walk away from the historical attractions, the streets became less dense with people and walking became so pleasant. Florence is a very sensual city, the sound echoes in the streets since the buildings are so tall and close together, and almost anything you lay your eyes on is worth thinking about. I am not here to romanticize Florence, however, as there is already an idea of what most Italian cities are expected to be, there is a truth to each one. Florence, being a tourist hub, has caused scarce housing options for Florentine people within the city center, while also contributing to the housing issues for many Italian students. These problems have led to a protest led by students who choose to camp in tents outside of their campus buildings in order to bring awareness to the difficult daily commutes many of them are up against.
I completed an Urban Studies course titled: Analyzing and Exploring the Global City: Florence, and it was one of the most thought-provoking classes I have ever taken. While in the course, my focus was studying and passing, of course, but looking back on the assignments and lessons we were given, I realize and I am in awe of just how much more I contemplate things here. My daily commute to most places alone is enough to make me curious about my impact on the world, and I find myself questioning how much new construction and modernization are actually helping our country. I think the most surprising thing that came from this is that I understand that I don’t need the things I used to dream of. It is not surprising in a shocking way, but more surprising in an unexpected way, as I put so much value on those things and what they meant to other people without taking a moment to evaluate what would make me happy.
Studying abroad in Florence was a wonderful time, in a city that is incomparable to most others. My biggest takeaway from my month away from home is that comfort is a privilege, and that it is not always a positive thing. My idea of comfort before this trip was being liked by a lot of people and impressing them, while my idea of comfort now is doing whatever I want to do and feeling as though I no longer have to explain it, which takes a lot of pressure off of my daily life. Studying in Florence furthered my love for the path I am currently taking, but definitely opened my eyes and mind to exploring new options for careers.
If you are here and reading this while questioning if you want to study abroad, you should absolutely take advantage of it. Look into each program you are interested in and make a choice about what you want to do, because you can apply for multiple. You have options in the length of your program, whether or not you want to be a part of a travelling program, where you want to go and what you want to do or study while you are completing it. I highly suggest applying for as many scholarships as you are eligible for, any aid is worth it. Most importantly though, my advice is to leave your expectations at home as soon as you begin this journey. Allow yourself to be surprised and let yourself absorb the changes that you go through from the minute you begin apply for programs to the time you step foot in your home again.
The most special souvenir that I brought home with me was a gold bracelet decorated with pearls and coral from this shop. I spent a week window shopping and trying on bracelets from different shops to see what I liked and what I did not, and the bracelet I bought was one of the first I tried on. The coral on the bracelet symbolizes and is supposed to bring luck, hence why it stayed on my mind until I went back for it. The experience of shopping on the Ponte Vecchio was such a privilege, and one that I will never forget.
