My first “wow” moment came when I visited the Galleria dell’ Accademia where Michelangelo’s David is located. This is something I grew up learning about in art and history courses and actually seeing it in person was a surreal experience. This gallery was full of beautiful Renaissance artwork that really speaks to the rich history of Florence. I also really enjoyed the piece about Stitch, pictured below, that helped promote the new movie that just came out while also engaging younger audiences in a museum that some children may find more boring.

Since I have been here I have continued to gain these moments as I have attended more places. I have had these “aha” moments with many things whether that be museums, scenery, or even food. Being able to eat Italian food, something that is such a huge part of the culture here, really helps me connect with my host city and the locals in it. Locals love to talk about food and their experiences with it, so that is always a great conversation starter. With my classes I have attended local markets and spoke with both farmers and crafters sharing their love of food and art through these markets.

Italy truly has something for everybody. Even if you aren’t the most fascinated by Renaissance art like me, they have tons of other museums. With my International Marketing class, we attended the Ferragamo museum. This discussed the life and work of Salvatore Ferragamo and how he built his shoe business, starting in Florence. I have always been interested in fashion, so this was a nice break from traditional museums.

Florence has so much to see and do and I am constantly getting new “wow” moments. After being here for almost a month, everyday I stumble across something I may not have noticed before. That is the beauty of being abroad for 6 weeks and getting to see more and more each day.