Study Abroad
Florence, Italy | Spring 2025

Growing up, I always knew that I wanted to see as much of the world as possible. When I chose to study abroad in Florence, Italy, I had very specific goals in mind: become closer to fluency in Italian, make meaningful friendships, and fully immerse myself in the culture. Looking back now, I can see that while I did accomplish those goals, they evolved into something much deeper than I originally expected.

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Before leaving for Florence, I viewed fluency as something very concrete. I imagined that by the end of the semester I would speak quickly, confidently, and effortlessly. However, my first week in my Italian Civilization and Culture class quickly humbled me. The professor lectured entirely in Italian and spoke as though she were teaching native speakers. I remember sitting there listening to discussions about Dante and Petrarca and realizing that I was translating every sentence in my head. At that moment, I felt completely overwhelmed and unsure of myself. I almost thought I was going to have to drop the class.

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Over time, though, something shifted. I stopped mentally translating every word she said and started simply understanding her meaning. I remember the exact moment I realized I was following along without confusion, and it felt quiet but powerful. Outside of class, I pushed myself to speak Italian with café owners, retail workers, and locals I encountered daily. Many times, they would respond in English, but I continued in Italian anyway. My original goal was to “get better at Italian,” but by the end of my time in Florence, I realized the bigger lesson was confidence. I learned that growth comes from discomfort, and that being willing to sound imperfect is often the only way to improve. Any time I was complimented on my Italian or I surprised someone who wasn’t expecting me to speak in their language, pride bloomed in my chest.

 

Culturally, I noticed both similarities and differences between Italy and the United States. One cultural difference that stood out most to me was the pace of life. In the U.S., especially as a college student balancing academics, internships, and extracurriculars, life often feels rushed. Productivity is prioritized, and being busy is almost expected. In Florence, life felt slower and more intentional. Meals lasted hours, shops closed in the afternoon, and people lingered in piazzas just to talk. At first, this slower pace was foreign to me. I was used to efficiency and structure. But over time, I began to appreciate it. I started sitting longer at dinner, enjoying conversations without checking the time, and being more present in my surroundings. I realized that while American culture often emphasizes ambition and efficiency, Italian culture places a strong emphasis on quality of life and relationships. However, I also saw similarities between the two. Family traditions, pride in heritage, and strong community ties reminded me of my own upbringing. As someone with Italian roots, I often felt a connection between the two cultures rather than a complete divide.

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Some of my most meaningful experiences were simple but lasting. Becoming a regular at a small café near my apartment is one memory that stands out. At first, I was just another American student trying to order in hesitant Italian. Over time, the barista began greeting me by a nickname, “Franci” (a common Italian nickname for Francesca). Our conversations became easier and more natural. That small shift made me feel like I was no longer just visiting Florence, but I was living in it. Moments like that had a lasting impact on me because they showed me that belonging is built through the connections you make with people you may not have had the opportunity to become friends with otherwise.

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During my time abroad, there were also challenges as well. There were moments of homesickness, miscommunication, and frustration when things did not operate the way I was used to in the U.S. Instead of throwing in the towel, though, I forced myself to adapt. I continued speaking Italian even when it felt uncomfortable. I explored the city when I felt lonely instead of isolating myself and committed new corners of it to my memory. Pushing through the bad or the confusing times built resilience and independence that I did not fully realize I was developing at the time. 

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Looking back, my original goals were focused on achievement—improving my language skills, making friends, and immersing myself. After studying abroad, I see that what I gained was much more personal. I became more confident, more adaptable, and more aware of both cultural differences and connections. Florence did not just help me grow academically or linguistically; it helped me grow as a person. Studying abroad did not simply allow me to see another part of the world. It changed how I moved through it and how I looked at others who move through it as well.