What You Should Expect Before Studying Abroad in Florence

Studying abroad can be one of the most thrilling and formative experiences in a college career. Learning and exploring overseas comes with a sense of freedom and adventure that is difficult to replicate in a college campus in your own country. Florence is an ideal, and popular, Italian city for study abroaders all over the world, and rightfully so. The walkable stone streets, safe neighborhoods, English-speaking locals and prime central location make it an ideal destination for college students to live and learn.

Expect to be overwhelmed by all the new experiences, good and bad, thrown your way at once. It’s like the first day being the new kid at school, but on a much larger scale. You’ll have to learn as much as you can of a new language, remember where everything is in a new city, grasp different cultural norms and adjust to a new daily routine.

Challenge yourself to befriend local college students, partake in state holiday celebrations, try weird and exotic foods you’ve never heard of and go outside your comfort zone as often as you can. You’ll end up making lifelong friends, understanding more Italian than you thought you would and forever call Florence your second home.

Something important to remember: Culture shock is real, and chances are you will experience it in some degree. Remember to be patient with yourself if you start missing home or feel out of place. With time, you’ll learn to understand those feelings and focus on the silver linings around you rather than stewing on negative emotions.

When all is said and done and you’re sitting on your flight back home, chances are you wouldn’t change a single moment.