Semester in Florence - Florence University of the Arts

My chapter in Florence has become a highlight in throughout my college years. This time kept me grounded yet challenged me which reshaped how I take on the world. Florence holds so much beauty and history to see everyday giving me chance to slow down and take in the moments. These moments also required me to adapt to a whole new speed of life. This city wasn't just a place I came to for an education, but a place that built my independence and confidence in handling a new culture. Right at the start, my daily life required problem-solving. I had to adapt to the new responsibilities at hand, navigating public transportation, and mainly the cultural differences. Some tasks I would've thought were easy sometimes came with unexpected challenges, teaching me how to stay calm under pressure. Being away from my family which is my support system, forced me to depend more on my own judgment, becoming one of my stronger skills that I will continue to use after this experience. Never being so far from my support system, Florence created a deep sense of independence. I had to make big decisions on my own, academics to traveling. I built trust in myself to move forward and getting comfortable with uncertainty. Gaining this new feeling, I felt empowered and building confidence through my daily actions. Every moment navigating this foreign city reinforced my trust in my own capabilities. Outside of every day life, being in Italy gave me a chance to explore Europe. From Florence, I was able to go to places such as Paris, London, Morocco, Barcelona, and many other cities across Italy. Traveling to these places grew my view of the world and exposed me to different ways of living. Each location offered new moments, lessons, and memories. Returning to Florence was a great place to come "home" too. It was such a grounding place, where I could reflect and process what I've taken in from the countries right next door. The biggest lesson Florence taught me was resilience. Of course it was experience of a lifetime, but there were moments of discomfort and uncertainty. I dealt with those moment by turning them into a chance to grow. I looked back at the challenges I faced as an essential part of my personal development. Rather being scared of discomfort, I recognize is as progress. At the end of my time, this experience was transformative. It gave me room to grow while gaining lifelong skills. Florence was not just a place to study abroad, it became my second home. The lessons I learned, the challenges I had to over come built my mentality today. Reminding me that if I want to grow, I have to step beyond comfortability and allow myself to evolve.

My fall 2025 semester abroad was wonderful. I was based in the wonderfully beautiful and lively city of Florence and I got to travel all around Europe, to places that I have always dreamt to visiting. CIS Abroad is a great program to go through. The team here in the states and the on-site directors were so helpful. They always answered the questions I had and walked me through the process of applying to the program, applying for my visa, and so on. As on on-site, the directors did a nice job at making us feel welcome and helping us settle into our new home for the next four months. Going abroad gifted me a new perspective on life that I will forever hold in my heart, and in my everyday life.

I had such an amazing time in Florence. The food there was better than any other city I visited. I also found that the people in Florence were so helpful when it came to local sports, and also helpful with the language.

I had the time of my life in Florence with CIS. As soon as I got there, the program staff helped us get to our housing and were incredibly accommodating and kind. In my spare time, I got to travel to multiple different countries around Europe that I had never been to before, which is something I have always wanted to do. I even went bungee jumping in the Swiss Alps, which I was not expecting! While I was in Florence, I was surrounded by breath-taking architecture, incredible food, and beautiful music. I got to take part in multiple activities throughout the course of my time there that not only immersed me in Italian culture, but also helped me make friends early on. I most definitely recommend going to Florence with CIS!

this semester truly opened my eyes to how much the world has to offer. I had never been to Europe before this but it was something that I knew I always had wanted to do and I cannot express how happy I am that I did! I never thought I would be capable of doing it and it just showed me that I am capable of so much more than I think I am!

Studying abroad was the best decision I made in my college career. It was such an incredible, eye opening experience that I am so grateful for. I learned so much about my italian heritage and was able to explore and understand the cultures of many different countries throughout Europe. I was in Florence, Italy. The city is truly amazing, it is like walking through living history. The architecture is beautiful, the florentines are welcoming, and there are plenty of other study abroad students and programs that helped me feel at home. CIS Abroad was a great program to be apart of and made this experience so special. My program leaders were very helpful with recommendations for restaurants, cities to visit, etc. and hosted multiple events and activities for the students in our program to meet and bond. I lived in The Social Hub, and overall had a good experience there. It is a dorm style living arrangement with in house laundry, AC (that works closer to what we are used to in the US), a communal kitchen, a meal plan, and some other great amenities like a rooftop bar, a pool, and monthly events/classes to help students get acquainted. FUA (Florence University of the Arts) was a great school with many course options for almost any field of study. I was able to take courses to complete my degree as well as a bread making class, and a street photography class, which I did for fun (and greatly enjoyed). I reminisce on my study abroad experience constantly and can't wait to find my way back!

I have never been challenged this way in my life. Living abroad and studying in Florence was the most difficult thing I have ever done, but also the most rewarding. I learned things about myself that I never thought were possible. I pushed myself way out of my comfort zone, and I am so beyond grateful for the opportunity. I got to travel all over Europe and to Africa! I got to study my major, Hospitality and Tourism Management. I got to live on one of the most jammed-packed streets in Florence. I am forever grateful for this experience and the people I met and the lessons I learned. I recommend this program to anyone and everyone who is considering going abroad.

I studied abroad in Florence, Italy in the Fall of 2024, and it was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had! Before arriving, I had so many feelings - excitement, nervousness, and much more, but I soon realized after getting to Florence that this was going to be life-changing. I was fortunate enough to do a lot of traveling, I visited eleven countries outside of Italy, and more cities than I can count! Some personal favorites were Barcelona and London! The academics were constructed in a way that allowed me to enjoy my classes, I took three classes that taught me about the food, culture, and society in Italy, including a class where we went on walks everyday! Being able to learn in a hands-on environment in such a cool city was definitely a highlight. My support system from CIS, whether it was my pre-departure contacts or my on-site directors - were all amazing! I felt very prepared before leaving, and I never had a question go unanswered while in Florence. I loved being able to learn so much from my on-site directors, they had so much knowledge to share!

I was so overwhelmed when I was tasked with choosing a provider, but after further research, I chose CIS Abroad. I did not know what to expect, but I was excited. Upon arriving in Florence, I was immediately met by Martina, one of our site leaders. This was so helpful because I did not have to figure out where to go or what to do, she just showed me. My housing was also amazing. I met my amazing roommate, Julie, and we stayed at The Social Hub. We were surrounded by other people in our program and got to meet more of them during our orientation. Throughout the whole semester, I felt nothing but support from CIS Abroad, especially from Romina and Martina. They made me feel at home during such a stressful time in a new country. CIS Abroad provided so many fun activities, one of my favorite being our spa trip. So relaxing! In the end, I am so happy with my choice of CIS Abroad and encourage everyone to use them!

My study abroad experience with CIS abroad in Florence, Italy gave me valuable personal, academic, and professional growth through experiential learning activities and personal travel. Living and studying in a new country forces students to step outside their comfort zone as they navigate unfamiliar environments, problem-solve, and manage responsibilities independently, all of which foster greater self-confidence and life skills you wouldn't learn in any other way. It took me a while to find myself in this city, but making a personal video to share my daily experiences or growing my creative skills not only inspires others but also serves as a personal reminder of how far I’ve come in embracing a place that once felt unfamiliar. Immersing yourself in a new culture broadens your perspective, allowing you to understand and appreciate different viewpoints, traditions, and ways of life, encouraging empathy and open-mindedness. One of the aspects I cherish most during my time abroad is experiencing the slower pace of life, cultural traditions, and the opportunity to stroll through the city center, immersed in the rich history and vibrant Italian lifestyle.

I loved my experience during study abroad and I'm owe a lot of that to CIS Abroad. CIS provided immense support and extra excursions at no additional cost. I took a trip to Arezo, went to a soccer game, Gucci Garden, and more. They had a group chat with our on-site coordinators and I never felt afraid to ask questions. Especially hearing from students in other programs, I saw how CIS Abroad really does go above and beyond. Their communication prior to me arriving on-site, during, and afterwards was above average. I would do it all over again if I coud because of how much I loved my semester.

My study abroad experience in Florence was incredibly transformative, for both my personal and academic growth. Initially, the idea of studying abroad felt out of reach for me, and yet, I had a strong belief that it would work out for me even when I couldn’t see how yet. When I finally made it to Florence after a year of preparation, the beauty of the city and the warmth of its locals affirmed to me that this was the right decision for myself. Finding myself suddenly in a foreign country at 20 years old forced me to be more independent, confident, adaptable, and aware both self and socially. It even acted as a first step, a push even, toward the dreams I had been building up in my mind for years, providing clarity about my future goals and helping me refine them. While I, of course, encountered challenges, those difficult moments added valuable lessons and memorable stories I would never replace. Study abroad allowed me to live more in the present and appreciate each moment, something I have always struggled with. I loved soaking in every bit of Florence, sometimes choosing not to travel around to other places just so I had more time in my host city. Ultimately, my experience expanded my perspective on life, cultures, and the world, making the lessons learned abroad an irreplaceable part of my personal growth.

Encapsulating my study abroad experience is nearly impossible. The time, experiences, people, and places I had the honor and pleasure of meeting and visiting were bountiful. Words cannot possibly capture the human experience however, as a creative writer, this is truly something I attempt to perfect with every poem, essay, and short story that leaks out of my fingers and onto a white pixelated screen. Firenze, Italia was my home for only a few months and yet I know the changes I experienced have taken residence deep within my new persona. In order to fully appreciate Italy, I made conscious efforts to try and eat different regional dishes, visit different cities small and large. Such as Prato, the most important manufacturing town in Italy, as well as larger cities like Rome and Milan. I took an Italian class to make every attempt at conversing with them when ordering a meal or asking for the price of a cute handmade trinket. I made sure the classes I attended at FUA (Florence University of the Arts) were specific to trades or passions of Italy. Why would I take Intro to Management in Italy when I could take Florentine Literary Walks and learn about all the novels and essays inspired by the grand architecture (like the Duomo) and culture, I got to see every day on my way to class. CISAbroad provided me with mentors to guide me, like advising me on which grocery stores to buy food from, where to buy authentic leather, and bars to avoid. Those advisors created activities to keep me busy and introduce me to other study-abroad students in my same program and new experiences, such as visiting small towns near Florence, local pastry shops, and even the Gucci Gardens! Another activity I was super happy to do in Italy was to attend a concert. I saw Pinguini Tattici Nucleari live in Bologna and Alfa in Florence. As someone who has been to over fifteen concerts in the United States, one of them being Taylor Swift herself, let me just say the Italians know how to 'concert' properly. It was the grandest experience to be so wholly immersed with natives and their language and culture at full height, with no watering down so the English speakers could understand. Italy was such a wonderful life-changing experience I cannot believe I was so blessed to experience it.

My time with CIS in Florence was some of the best times of my life. Florence is the best place to study abroad, so many things to do and see, the food is wonderful, the culture is rich and the list goes on. While studying abroad is great for the history, cultural immersion, seeing new countries and cities and all that fun stuff, study abroad forms characters in so many ways that greatly impacted my life. Being abroad can give you a level of independence that you may not have experienced before! This is a great thing! Without the immediate support of friends and family, it pushes you to rely on your own skills and trust your instincts to make decisions and how to spend your time. Travel plans go wrong, things happen and you have to be able to adapt, make decisions and go forward. It teaches great social skills as you interact with people from all over the US and the world, it may even provide clarity for how you want your future to look. It's not easy, but it is extremely rewarding. The onsite staff in Florence were wonderful, they planned lots of fun events and were very helpful and easy to talk to when needed. I cannot recommend enough doing the semester program in Florence enough with CIS!

When students are looking to study abroad the first thing they think about is likely the destination. However, a foreign country can be as overwhelming as it is exciting without the proper help acclimating. When attending Florence University of the Arts in Florence, Italy with CIS Abroad I felt their help is what allowed Florence to truly become that place I was so excited to visit. Whether that be included tours that pointed out amazing views like Piazza Michelangelo or the most authentic dining spots, CIS's on site ambassadors will help you become as much of a local as possible within 4 months, making studying abroad a truly unique experience, allowing for insight one would not gain from a normal trip somewhere.

My experience abroad was truly one of the most exciting times of my life. I was able to take engaging and interesting classes that transferred back to my university, traveled across the country on the weekends, and was surrounded by peers and staff who cared about my wellbeing. I recommend studying abroad to anyone I can because I truly believe it is a life-changing experience

Deciding to study abroad is a major commitment and a very different then your typical semester at your home university. Often it is difficult to even get abroad let alone live in a new environment stress and worry free. It requires adjustment and support, something I can say CIS had provided for me in my Spring 2022 semester in Florence, Italy. I knew I wanted to go early on, I began my application in June of 2021. The CIS staff were so supportive of me when it came to completing all the right paperwork and getting my VISA / other documents together. I was able to pretty much have a worry free Fall semester as I had compled my paperwork and application with the very helpful staff prior to the semester even starting. Aside from that, the program itself was truly unforgettable. Flexible classes with many options suitable for my major and any others. The teachers at FUA were engaged and you can tell they cared about what they were teaching. My on-site director was so sweet and helped with any questions I had in a very fast manner. She helped me get engaged in the Italian culture and customs. My housing situation was perfect, CIS helped to pair me up with some of my now good friends based on their roommate survey. Overall my time with CIS in Italy was a life changing experience and I was beyond grateful for the support I received before, after, and during the program from the CIS team. I would recommend anyone this Italy program or another CIS run program.

My roommates were bullying me and when I asked to get switched out of the apartment, or for something to be done, nobody really did anything. Other than that, I did my best to enjoy my once in a lifetime experience. Although, it was hard because I had to come home to roommates who would tell me that they didn’t want me there

Being thrown into a culture where I don't know the language and my way around was extremely humbling. I realized how much I relied on my phone, family, and friends. Going into studying abroad not knowing anyone was pretty difficult, I had to make new friends, teach myself to cook, budget, get around, and try to fit into the culture. After the first week I felt like Florence was my second home. Once I adjusted to my schedule I was able to add extra trips and explore more. I loved Peggy from CIS, she was very welcoming and was great at giving advice, she loved going out of her way to meet students for coffee or take them on trips. Overall, I would recommend CISabroad to everyone, their planning may not be the best in the world, but they are affordable and do their best to accommodate their students and interns.

Even the expectations I did not know I had were exceeded! The classes at FUA were unique and engaging. My favorite classes were cooking classes because we ate what we made. FUA buildings are spread throughout Florence, which forces students to walk around and enjoy the city. The travel week class was really wonderful because we were exposed to smaller cities outside of Rome and Florence that I never would have experienced if it were not for CISabroad. The weekend excursions offered during my semester abroad were to Venice and Turin. Traveling with FUA, because I chose to study with CISabroad, was amazing because the trips provided an authentic Italian experience with delicious food, fun locations, and new insights about Italy. If I could study abroad again, I would chose to travel with CISabroad!