Where My Study Abroad Journey Begins

Ciao, Gamecocks! I’ve officially arrived in my new home, Florence, Italy, and have spent the past 48 hours adjusting to an entirely new lifestyle. Florence is incredibly bustling, especially considering how narrow the streets are. For comparison, I’d describe it as similar to Charleston: a beautiful, historic city with the commotion of a much larger city, like Chicago.

Street vendors in Florence

The biggest shock so far has been how accustomed Italians are to living among such extraordinary art and architecture. I, on the other hand, definitely stick out like a sore thumb, constantly stopping to admire my surroundings. On my first night in Florence, I visited the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, also known as the Duomo. I’ve already seen it at least five times since then, and I still can’t get over how exquisite it is. On my second day, I explored the city by walking over 20,000 steps. Along the way, I ordered my first cappuccino at a local espresso bar and later enjoyed my first authentic Italian meal. My friends and I chose a random restaurant that looked less touristy, and it did not disappoint. We were served bruschetta as an appetizer, and I had an incredible bowl of gnocchi. One notable difference I’ve noticed is that, unlike in the U.S., you have to pay for water at restaurants in Italy.

The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore

Gnocchi alla carrettiera for lunch

I’ve already experienced so much in such a short amount of time, and I can’t wait to continue exploring the city I get to call home for the next four months. I’m especially looking forward to trying affogato, a traditional Italian dessert—and many more culinary adventures to come.