When I think about my five weeks in Florence, I don’t just remember the places, I remember the people and the way the city wrapped all of us together. I arrived not knowing a single person, not really knowing what to expect, but Florence has a way of collapsing time. Within days, strangers became the kind of friends who feel like you’ve known them your whole life. Maybe it was the shared awe of being somewhere so beautiful, or maybe it was the way the city invited us to slow down and actually see each other. Either way, those connections became the heart of my experience.

Studying at SRISA gave structure to the adventure, grounding us in art, design, and cultural history while encouraging us to explore the city like it was a living classroom. Each walk to campus felt like moving through a museum without walls. I was passing Renaissance architecture, stopping for a cappuccino at a familiar café, and weaving past locals on their daily routines. SRISA wasn’t just a school, but it was a doorway into the creative spirit that has defined Florence for centuries. My classes taught me as much about observation, intentionality, and perspective as they did about the subject matter itself.

And then there was the culture, present in everything from the hum of morning markets to the late-night conversations over plates of fresh pasta. Florence changed the way I think about food. Meals weren’t rushed or transactional but moments to pause, taste, and connect. I learned the joy of lingering at dinner, trying new flavors, and understanding why Italians treat their cuisine as equal parts art form and tradition. Even the gelato runs became rituals, tiny celebrations at the end of long days spent exploring side streets and hidden courtyards.

Art and architecture were woven into every moment. Whether we were studying in the shadow of the Duomo, wandering through the Uffizi, or simply noticing the way light hit the buildings at golden hour, Florence taught me to look up both literally and figuratively. There’s a different rhythm to a city built on so much history, a quiet reminder that creativity and innovation are strongest when they’re connected to meaning. That mindset, the blend of inspiration and intentionality, is something I’ve carried with me long after leaving Italy.

Those five weeks were short, but they shifted something in me. I left Florence with new friendships that feel strangely permanent, a deeper appreciation for art and culture, and a clearer sense of how connection, both to people and place, shape the way I want to move through the world. It wasn’t just a study abroad trip. It was a reminder that growth often happens when we step into unfamiliar situations and allow ourselves to grow. Florence gave me a new perspective I’ll keep with me wherever I go next.

5-WEEKS IN FLORENCE

13 YEARS

CULTURAL ROOTS