I have been back in the United States for over a week, and I really miss Florence already. I have been reflecting on the semester abroad and want to share some thoughts.

First of all, I think that if anyone has an opportunity to study abroad in Florence or in any other place, you should try it. Get out and explore and get out of your comfort zone and meet new people. If I had never taken the opportunity to study abroad in Florence, I would not have met the wonderful people with whom I am great friends now. So please, if you feel scared or nervous about staying in another country for three months, don’t be. You will do just fine and you will have the best semester of your entire time at university, I guarantee. 

In the last week of my semester of studying in Florence, our whole class went to Palazzo Borghese for a farewell lunch hosted by AIFS. Palazzo Borghese is a very beautiful place to eat, and it looks like royalty eats there. The food was very good. 

I close this blog with practical tips for anyone studying abroad in Florence:

• Bring your own bath towel because it was impossible for me to find one in Florence, and I needed to have one shipped to me.
• Pack an outlet adapter, or even two or three, so that your devices can charge.
• Bring lots of cash with you for emergencies.
• If you have the money, bring a second laptop or computer with you or a second phone, just in case anything happens.
• Avoid filling your suitcase to the brim with clothes and other items because if you do, you can’t bring anything back. Don’t make the same mistake I did.