April has brought in the beautiful Spring weather to Italy. It has been absolutely amazing to enjoy Italy with the beautiful weather. Walking around the streets has become something of a dream now that everyone is bustling around outside and just strolling and enjoying the weather. My friends and I have enjoyed many walks around Florence in which we walk from Santa Croce over the bridge to Piazza Michelangelo down to the Ponte Vecchio and then up through the leather market. The city has truly come alive.

I have travelled a lot in april. I went to Cinque Terre on the FUA school trip. It was a beautiful day and to see the five villages was amazing. The trip was filled with wonderful moment, breathtaking views, and delicious food. Also, with friends from school I travelled to Croatia and Barcelona. Both places were a blast. I did many activities I would never think of doing before coming here. I cliff jumped, white water rafted, and in Barcelona stayed up so late that I watched the sun rise. The experiences I had on these two trips are times I will always treasure and remember.

The last night of April in Florence was Notte Bianca. This was the best experience I have had in Florence. My friends and I ate an appertivo and then wandered through the city. The city was filled with people in every little corner. The squares were filled with crazy shows and spectacles that seemed to be out of a dream. Santa Croce was filled with animal blow ups and mystical music. Over  near the Uffizzi were swings made of chimes. In Petti there were people hanging from cranes dancing like in a ballet. I tried to explain it to my dad and he laughed because as I was speaking I realized how crazy it all sounded. These cultural experiences are ones me and my friends agreed we would never forget.

– Michaela, University of South Carolina