Words and photos by Gianna Messia, who studied abroad with ASA in Florence, Italy, during the fall semester of 2024.
Honestly, Florence was the best city I could’ve picked to study abroad. There are so many factors to consider when you're deciding which country to study abroad in. Are you more of a city person? Well, how big or small? Do you like the countryside? But not too many mountains and hills? Do you want to be surrounded by art and Renaissance work? The list is never ending, and although you'll be traveling around on weekends and day excursions, there's nothing like your host city abroad.
Living in Florence, Italy, is one of those experiences that feels almost unreal at first. As a resident, you do sometimes feel like you’re living inside a museum. Walking past the Duomo di Firenze on a random Tuesday still feels special, even months in. My absolute favorite part of Florence was how walkable the city was. My friends in Barcelona spent extra hours and minutes traveling back and forth between buses, shuttles and trains to get around the city. Don't get me wrong, Barcelona is beautiful! But Florence is small enough to walk from one side of the city to the other in about 45 minutes to an hour. How convenient! Everything is small and compact, but in a lovely way. I always felt so safe knowing exactly where my apartment would be from where I was. Another favorite part of living in this city was getting to know the local restaurant and shop owners within the first couple of weeks of classes.
Florence is one of the most visited cities in Europe, and that affects daily life more than you might expect. From April through October, the historic center can feel overwhelmingly crowded. This made tasks such as errands and getting to class on time a bit more of a challenge. On the bright side, bars and restaurants were filled with people from all over the world, and it made meeting new people extremely easy. Next, Italian food in Florence is exceptional, but it’s also traditional. Tuscan cuisine focuses on simple, high-quality ingredients: bread, olive oil, beans, meat, and wine. Dishes like ribollita and bistecca alla fiorentina are extremely popular, and a must-try! However, if you crave variety, especially international food options, you may find Florence a bit limiting. Don't get me wrong, there are a handful of Mexican restaurants, American pubs and Sushi spots. But, they’re fewer than in larger cities like Barcelona or London. Grocery shopping is also more of a smaller selection, which is easy but can be an adjustment if you’re used to convenience and endless choices.
I genuinely left Florence feeling like it was my second home. I still tear up to this day thinking about my time abroad in that magical city. I came home and told my friends and family that if I ever wanted to visit, I would go back, alone to Florence feeling 100% safe and confident in my travels. Compared to cities like London or Paris, Florence can be a bit more financially manageable. That being said, living in Florence isn’t perfect, but it’s deeply enriching. It’s a city that brings curiosity, art, and a willingness to adapt. If you’re looking for fast-paced excitement, it may feel small. But if you value beauty, history, food, and a more intentional way of living, Florence has a way of leaving a lifelong impression.
Thanks, Gianna!