Today marks the start of the final month of my study abroad experience, and I truly cannot believe just how fast this semester has gone by. Every single day living as a student in Florence has brought a new experience, whether it be analyzing the art in a centuries-old church or creating content in my internship. There is no shortage of things to do in this city, and everywhere I look, there is the opportunity to learn something new.
An essential part of my semester has been the ability to travel and explore different cultures. I have been able to see France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Hungary so far, and I have a couple more trips planned before the end of the semester! While Florence certainly holds a special place in my heart and I always look forward to returning to this corner of the world after a long weekend away, nothing can replace the feeling of being in a new country for the first time.
Seeing renowned monuments and buildings like the Hungarian Parliament or the Eiffel Tower with my own eyes have given me the opportunity to walk through the world with a greater understanding of different countries, their cultures, and their values. In short, my abroad experience would not be what it is if it weren’t for my experiences traveling.
My time abroad would also not be what it is if it weren’t for my internship. I am currently a marketing and communications intern for an Italian tourism company, and every single day working has brought me some kind of surprise. Italian work culture is much different than that of the United States’, and by working in Florence, I feel as though I have a more multifaceted understanding and perception of the Italian culture as a whole. Additionally, by virtue of my coworkers speaking strictly in Italian, I also feel that my ability to comprehend the language has increased significantly in just a few short months. While my internship can certainly feel overwhelming at times, I am thankful for the opportunity to not just develop my ability to create and pitch content, but to also assist in my exposure to Italian culture.
With less than a month left, I find myself trying to figure out what I want my remaining time to look like. I keep asking myself if there’s anything I would do differently, or if there’s anything new I really want to try. Truthfully, it’s been tutto bene a Firenzie so far, and I can’t really imagine a way to improve upon my experience in the coming weeks.
Ciao for now,
Tessa