For the past six weeks I have had an incredible opportunity to have lived and studied in the heart of Florence, surrounded by beauty, history, and culture so unlike my own. The sights I’ve seen, the food I ate, and the friends I’ve made all made this experience worthwhile and a dream come true. I am in shock of how much I have accomplished as an individual that is more introverted and has a difficult time stepping out of their comfort zone when I’m alone. But for those who are wanting to see the world and study abroad but have the same feelings I did, I do have some advice I would be more than happy to share to help you take the leap into studying abroad.

To start, preparation before the trip even begins is key to making the transition as easy as possible. Do your research on the city and look for things you want to do while you’re there. Start prioritizing things that are a must and things that would be nice to see but not mandatory. This helps with your time management because study abroad goes by a lot faster than you would think, and there are places I wish I could have visited but just didn’t have the time. Not only that, but it can help give you a ballpark range of how much spending you would have to account for while traveling. On the flipside, don’t over-pack your schedule and allow yourself time to relax and just have some time alone. You don’t want to wear yourself down by overexerting your social and mental battery.

Also, if you tend to struggle with homesickness it may be good to bring along some items that can bring you comfort. Personally, I brought a small throw blanket that I usually use at home, so at night it helped with the adjustment of a new place. Another example is when people kept suggesting to me to just buy shampoo and conditioner in Italy to lighten my weight limit, but if you have a hair care routine that works for you at home just bring it anyways. While yes, you can buy some here, it helped to have my usual products that I knew worked with my wavy hair and made it less of a hassle to worry about. So try to find the small comforts in your day to day life and be sure to bring it with you. 

Lastly, do your best to get out of your comfort zone while you are in your host city! As a rather introverted person, I know it can be hard to do so, but make it a goal to do something new a few times a week. Big or small it can elevate your experience and make friends with others you may not have thought you would be friends with. Utilize the Sai outings they offer, ask for recommendations on places to eat or see, or just walk around to see what the city has. My professors were a wonderful source of recommendations for places to sightsee, and my roommates were my closest friends on this trip, down to try out a new restaurant or let me know about things I may like. Studying abroad is a once in a lifetime trip that can easily become overwhelming for individuals like myself, but with the right mindset and expectations, it easily became the best trip of my life.

Written by: Kiah, Summer 2024 Florence student, from Washington State University