This previous fall semester I was granted the opportunity to do something I have always wanted to do. Studying abroad had always been a dream of mine and one of the things I looked forward to most in my college experience.
It is a time that I will always cherish and be grateful for as it allowed me to see more of the world than I ever thought possible. As an art history student with a passion for the Renaissance and Baroque, Florence was the obvious choice when deciding where to go. The food was incredible, the city was beautiful, and history was everywhere I looked. And while these were all things I knew even before heading to Italy, the most pleasant surprise was all of the opportunities I had once I was there.
Through my school and the friends that I made, it seemed as though I went to a new place every weekend. During my semester in Florence, I was able to visit almost 20 cities within Italy, and each was absolutely incredible. Because Florence is central, you don’t have to go far to find a city with its own unique history, culture, and food. Everywhere I went there was always something new to explore and something fascinating to learn.
Although I couldn’t have gone wrong staying in the country, the beauty of Italy is just how central it is within Europe. You’re always a quick train or flight away from an entirely different country with even more to offer. Personally, I spent my school breaks escaping the warm climate and heading to the UK and Amsterdam. On top of this, I had friends traveling to France, Morocco, Germany, the list goes on.
While I will always view my semester in Italy as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, I will also consider it my gateway to the world. Studying abroad gave me the key to unlocking so many new adventures, and now I will never rest chasing that next “once-in-a-lifetime” chance.
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Addison Wallace ’25 is double majoring in art history and chemistry.