After being in the beautiful city of Florence for a whole month, I can now without a doubt say that I made an excellent decision in studying abroad! Already I have learned so much and have met many new friends that share the same love for the city that I do. Experiences here are always new and I’m finding that each day can turn into an adventure simply by being different from home.
Our apartment, located in the “Oltrarno” region (meaning the other side of the Arno River) is nicer than I could have ever expected, and the safety of the area makes me feel like I don’t have to stress about much. Sure, the appliances are all different and there’s no air conditioning, but overall it is lovely and modern-looking place that I can study in, can sleep in, and most importantly feel at home in.
Walking to classes is sometimes a hassle if the weather isn’t pleasant, but the time does allow me to see more of the city and to check out the places that catch my eye. Florence is pretty crowded at times and learning to navigate through the sea of tourists was something I had to learn fast, but now it’s gotten much easier. I have even been running a few times along the Arno, which is quite a nice experience.
My classes are all extremely interesting, and I couldn’t think of a better place than Florence to learn about subjects relating to my Art major. I am taking classes here that I simply could not experience in the same way if I was back in Wisconsin, and the fact that the teachers are all very passionate about what they teach helps me truly get the most out of each class. Homework becomes actually interesting when the things I study are things I actually enjoy!
I am so glad that SAI has provided such a wide array of activities and trips for the students that study here in Florence, and already I have been on a bunch of trips with my roommates that have made my first month here so much fun. Some of the main trips so far have included a mini-cruise of the Tuscan Archipelago and a tour of Pisa, which were both incredible. There are also many things right here in Florence that we students can experience, and for me, simply being here is exciting enough! I look forward to the next month as my journey continues, and I am sure it will be just as amazing as this month has been.
Gretchen – Carroll University
