Studying Abroad - Florence Italy
I have always had a passion for travel, which is pretty obvious considering I am now creating a travel blog, but my love for travel quickly turned into something more. I had the opportunity to study abroad in Florence, Italy following my junior year of college. I received a scholarship from the University of Alabama to create vlog / blog posts for Alabama's study abroad account. One of the blogs I wrote summarizes why it is a need to go abroad, and how my experience in Florence transformed my life.
“Within your comfort zone there is still a way to get out of your comfort zone.
The end of a trip is never easy, especially when that trip was 4 weeks long in a city that you quickly made yours. In the beginning of my time in Florence I heavily relied on google maps and one could say I was the definition of a tourist, but by the end I was able to take myself around town and I quickly found a place for myself in this city. I found my favorite cafe, my favorite sandwich shop, my favorite piazza, my favorite gelato, my favorite restaurant, and I even found my favorite grocery store. I met people that made this place feel like home. It's hard to leave a place like this, a place that went from being completely unknown to now housing some of my favorite things in the world. One of the hardest things about leaving is the unknown. When will I be able to return back to Florence? When will I be able to see my new friends again? When will I be able to indulge in my new favorite Florence foods? But most importantly how will life be when I return to the United States? My day to day in Florence included a lot of adventure and excitement whether that was exploring a new piazza, trying a new gelato place, or planning a weekend trip, every day was full of excitement and something new. This passion I have for exploration is not always achievable while being a full time college student since the day to day as a college student is very different than as a study abroad student; however, this trip taught me how to find the fun within each day and how to appreciate the little things. I’ve learned how to make each day an adventure even if that means taking a hot girl walk to get dinner somewhere in Tuscaloosa, renting an Ebike to explore town, or even a late night cookout run. Finding the excitement and joy in each day is something that I will take with me everyday even if the adventure isn’t as crazy as an abroad adventure. But most importantly during my study abroad I learned that even within my comfort zone there is still a way to get out of my comfort zone. Until we meet again - Florence you’re my favorite”.
My Favorite Cafe: Shake Cafe or Le Vespe Cafe
My Favorite Sandwich: Pino’s Sandwiches
My Favorite Piazza: Piazza Santa Maria Novella
My Favorite Gelato: La Carraia
My Favorite Restaurant: Buca Mario or Verdoliva
My Favorite Grocery Store: Pam Firenze
I have since had the privilege of returning to Florence, this time with my family. As the train pulled into Firenze Santa Maria Novella, I instantly began to reflect on my time here. Stepping onto those familiar cobblestone streets, I was flooded with memories: sunset sessions at the top of Piazzale Michelangelo, evening walks along the Arno river, learning to cook Italian dishes while also indulging in them at fabulous restaurants, the countless gelato walks, and the slow, intentional way of life. It all came rushing back, as if no time had passed.
Time moves on and things change, but one thing is for certain: Florence still feels like home.
I've said it before, and I’ll say it again: Florence, you’re my favorite
