Florence served as our home base and primary city throughout our study abroad experience in Italy. Living there for nearly a month allowed us to become familiar with the city’s culture, history, and daily life while using it as a starting point for our academic and cultural activities. We spent much of our time exploring Florence’s historic streets, famous landmarks, museums, and local traditions while attending classes and participating in faculty-led excursions
During our stay, we participated in several guided tours and educational experiences that helped us better understand Florence’s rich history and artistic significance. We took walking tours of the city, visited the Galileo Museum to learn about scientific discoveries, explored the Duomo complex and its monuments, toured the Leonardo Interactive Museum, and visited the magnificent Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens. We also had the opportunity to experience Florentine culture through a cooking class, a wine appreciation class, and a guided tour of local artisan boutiques.
One of the most memorable aspects of Florence was its connection to art and culture. We toured the world-famous Uffizi Gallery, attended an opera performance, and enjoyed numerous faculty-led activities that provided additional insight into the city’s history and traditions. By living and studying in Florence rather than simply visiting as tourists, we gained a deeper appreciation for the city and its role as the center of our study abroad experience.