Florence is the new Cancun

I first fell in love with Florence almost ten years ago as a study abroad student. I arrived ready to immerse myself in the culture, language and most importantly the food. I bonded with several other people (you know those first few intense days when you’re all in the same unfamiliar boat) that shared my identical goals for the trip. But then a funny thing happened when we settled in. Suddenly I was being invited to dinners at student apartments, American bar and Irish pub get togethers, Super Bowl parties, American student night at the clubs, and many of my “friends” who I thought shared my desire to understand Italy settled into an American life abroad. It’s nice to meet people with similar interests and have some homesickness prevention fun with compatriots but anyone coming to Italy should not lose sight of the opportunity to get to know Italian culture.

Florence is a study abroad hub with many university programs and thousands of students arriving every semester. With all of those Americans mulling around it’s easy to find yourself feeling as if you never left campus. Doing an internship forces you, in good way, to really get to know Florence. Imagine if you went to Cancun to work in a hotel for spring break instead of party. In no way is Florence comparable to Cancun but some spring nights at the Irish pub it can certainly seem like it. Through their internships, I’ve seen some of the participants I’ve worked with blossom into Italian fluency, make heartfelt friendships and become as attached to the city as I am. An internship is the key to a Florence that escapes many tourists and students, one that allows you to have a deeper understanding of the city, the culture and the language. I often tell people how I wish I had known about Global Experiences when I was a student, as I would have surely participated, but I’m glad that at least I get to spread the word and help others see the real Florence.

Posted by Danielle