Studying Abroad: The Cliches are True

What does the term “study abroad” make you think of? The cliches of American college girls drinking (or posing with) an Aperol Spritz, while not-so-secretly on the hunt for their Italian prince to sweep them onto the back of their vespa to live out their Lizzie McGuire Movie moment. Or young, aspiring artists and historians who want to immerse themselves in the classical and ancient wonders. Whatever your intentions may be, the study abroad experience is what you decide to make of it. You can live out your When In Rome moment, but it’s the journey with strangers who quickly become family that make studying abroad the year of your life.

Here’s my diary of who I was when I arrived, how I changed, the people I met, the hard realities returning home, and who I am now.

18 and Legal

The choice to spend my entire 12 months of freshman year studying abroad came from me originally wanting to take a gap year between high school and starting college. My parents weren’t keen on the idea of me taking a year off, but as avid travelers themselves, they understood my desire to experience another part of the world on my own as a young adult. My father discovered Florida State University’s First Year Abroad Program (Go Noles!). 12 months with the option to study in up two locations while taking all basic freshman courses with tailored electives to the cities I was in. My decision on school was made immediately.

One month before departing we had orientation in Tallahassee for all First Year Abroad students. No one knew each other, but we received a quick run down of where we’d be living, what to expect, and then chose our roommates for the first fall semester. The orientation was helpful in getting us prepared, but I think it was more to put our concerned parents at ease. They had to know we were going to be thoroughly looked after.

Two weeks following my 18th birthday, I left with six gigantic suitcases and one backpack suitcase (the ebag, a must for weekend trips!) and arrived in Florence, Italy. Thank goodness I didn’t have to take the train because the struggle of me hauling 7 bags through customs and baggage claim was enough for me to never back that much again. Of course my apartment for the year was on the second floor and with no elevator, so the struggle continued up the narrow, steep flights of stairs. My roommates stared at me in disbelief has I began trying to fit my entire closet (which is too many clothes for any one person I admit) into one single door armoire. Mind you, our entire apartment was smaller than my bedroom at home, with three twin beds about a foot a part. Needless to say, I vastly overpacked which I don’t recommend, but I became the study abroad communal closet.

Rather it was from the close quarters or the dozens of bottles of wine shared over those first few nights, by the end of the first week, I knew I had made my greatest friends, who I consider family to this day, seven years later. 

Okay you caught me, dozens of bottles might’ve been an understatement. Sorry mom and dad (and FSU IP) but now a word to the wise, being 18 in Europe is very different than in the States. It’s like a kid in a candy job, but remember, you aren’t a kid here. If you want to stick out as an American study abroad student, visit the Americanized bars and stumble around the cobblestone streets intoxicated, and you’ll definitely spur on the bad reputation. Instead, share a bottle of wine with some locals and check out their favorite hangouts. I did both, frequently, and the nights away from the study abroad-focused bars were the best. But always go with at least one friend!

A Typical Week in Florence

Both fall and spring semesters I had class only four days a week, Monday – Thursday. A simple luxury I remember was waking up each morning, picking out my ensemble for the day, grabbing a cappuccino and chocolate brioche from my favorite neighborhood cafe, and setting off on my 25-minute stroll to class or whatever museum we were touring that day.

Lunch was spent with classmates at any of our schools neighboring restaurants. Eventually the panini shop, Antico Noè, new my order as soon as I walked up, a #9 please! 

Aperitivo – a light drink/meal at the end of the work day to warm up for dinner. Perhaps my favorite culinary Italian tradition. Before heading home from class in the evenings, students and professors alike meet for a drink and enjoy an aperitivo buffet consisting of meats, cheeses, and other finger foods.

Dinner is an occasion. Our apartment building was similar to a college dorm. All of the students lived in one building, with a shared courtyard, terrace, laundry, and large kitchen. Whether we were cooking and sharing a meal on the terrace or venturing out to dine, dinners were long. Every night we cheers our glasses in gratitude over multiple courses. A Chianti with our Bistecca Alla Fiorentina (Florentine Steak)

Italian Fashion

The fashion might’ve been my favorite part. This is Italy. People know how to dress. You wouldn’t have caught me or any of my roommates dead walking to school in wrinkled sweatpants and t-shirts. The lack of air-conditioning, minimal heating, and need for comfortable walking shoes required proper attention to accessories and layering. Italians dress for the season and weather. The sunny days are hot in the crowded cobblestone jungle, nights are windy are windy and chilly. A light scarf for the warmer months and a thick one for the cold months are a must (and you look the part). Leave your Columbia raincoat at home and get a long rain trench coat – more trendy and protective. If you want to break your ankles, wear pointed heels on the cobblestone streets. Nice sneakers are worn by everyone, all the time. Find a shoe store and invest in a pair of leather Italian sneakers, they’ll last you a lifetime. 

The Cliches are True

The commonly heard phrases from us, study abroad veterans, that you hear are all true, like, “you’ll make friends for life and will always have a sofa to sleep on anywhere in the world,” “you’ll be a different person when you return,” and “it’ll fly by.” Don’t believe me, click here to see what another Daisy is saying about traveling abroad.