Coming to Florence, I wasn’t as nervous as I expected to be. I already knew I was living with my best friends, so I felt like I had a built-in support system from the start. Because of that, I thought my experience would mostly revolve around the city itself and we would mostly stick to our group. I could not have been more wrong. If there is one thing I have learned from this semester, it’s that the people truly do make the place.

There’s something about being in a new country, in smaller classes, and sharing the same unfamiliar environment that pushes you out of your comfort zone. You’re surrounded by people you don’t know well yet, but you’re all experiencing the same adjustments at the same time. That shared experience makes it easier, and almost necessary, to open up and connect.

One of the most unexpected parts of my experience came from where I lived. My apartment was a bit farther from the city center, which at first felt inconvenient. But it ended up shaping my entire semester. My roommates and I became really close with the group living below us, and over time, they became more than just neighbors, they became our closest friends and basically family. What started as casual interactions turned into spending almost every day together, traveling together, and building routines that made Florence feel like home.

Being with this group pushed me in ways I didn’t expect. Before coming here, I wouldn’t say I was reserved, but I was nervous at times to start new conversations and put myself out there. But this semester forced me to do that. Whether it was introducing myself to someone new in class, making plans with people I didn’t know well yet, or just being open to new friendships, I found myself stepping outside of what felt comfortable.

There is something truly beautiful about meeting new people and learning about their lives, perspectives and personal experiences that really adds to the humanity of living. There is something really meaningful about forming connections in a place where everything is new, because you’re not just bonding over convenience, but over shared moments and memories that you will take with you forever.

Looking back, I came to Florence with a few close friends, which made the transition easier. But I’m leaving with so much more than that. I’m leaving with friendships that feel deeper than I expected, with people who became a kind of family during this time. These are relationships built on shared experiences that are hard to replicate anywhere else.

This semester taught me a lot about myself, not just in terms of independence or adaptability, but in how I connect with others. It showed me the value of stepping outside of my comfort zone and being open to new relationships, even when it feels unfamiliar at first.

Florence will always be a beautiful city to me, but what I’ll remember most are the people who made it feel like home.