I never want to leave this beautiful city! Standing off the Santa Trinita bridge overlooking the Ponte Vecchio.

It’s hard to believe that as I sit here and write my last blog post, I only have a little over 2 weeks left in Florence. It feels like just yesterday I was saying goodbye to my parents in the airport and the concept of 4 months away from home seemed daunting. I cannot believe how fast this semester has flown by and all of the amazing experiences Florence has given me. Sine I began studying here, I have learned so much about Italian culture. I understand the differences in our ways of life, I learned so much history about Florence, and I learned how to live like an Italian.

Living in a different country for almost 4 months has helped me fully adapt and understand a new way of life. Additionally, interning for SAI has been an amazing experience and helped me easily get acquainted with Italian life. They are always there to answer my questions and I got to interview locals for a weekly newsletter I produced, which helped me learn about Florence in my own ways.

One of my favorite lunches at Pino’s Sandwiches: Spicy salami, pecorino cheese, onions, spinach, pesto and hot sauce on focaccia bread.

I have also learned a lot about myself since being here and I think I have changed in a positive way. I now understand that I am comfortable with the slow-paced Italian way of life. I realize that I don’t always need to stick to a plan and I understand that you definitely cannot live that way in Florence. I learned this the hard way, seeing as trains do not always come on time and restaurants and markets open and close as they so please. I have definitely adapted to this new culture and I think I will carry this over to my life back at home. Another part of the culture I want to continue at home is cooking with fresh food and ingredients. After eating in Italy, I realize how much better food tastes when it is cooked fresh!

Dining at the Central Market and enjoying all of the different types of food!

Studying abroad in Florence has undoubtedly been a life-changing experience. I can easily say it has been the best four months of my life and I do not regret any second of it. This experience has impacted my future as it will now encourage me to experience new things. As a natural homebody, the idea of going abroad was scary to me, but I now see that it was all worth it and that it is okay to step out of my comfort zone again in the future. I also now have a new appreciation for the little things and understand the beauty in a gorgeous sight. I have had so many positive experiences in Florence and seen so many things I never thought I would get the chance to. As the semester draws to an end and I will be returning home in just 2 weeks, I could not have asked for a better experience. I am excited to see my friends and family, but nothing will ever top Florence, a comfortable place I can now call my second home.

A gorgeous view from the top at Piazza Michelangelo

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Jennifer is a student at University of Maryland studying at Florence University of the Arts during the Spring 2014 term.