Last time up in Piazzale Michelangelo

As I sit down to write this, my suitcase is half-packed, and the last spoonful of gelato from my favorite spot is melting slowly in the cup beside me. But my time here is coming to a close, and I find myself struggling to find the right words to say goodbye to a city that has quietly and completely changed me.

When I first arrived, I was disoriented, overwhelmed, and unsure of how I’d fit into this centuries-old maze of stone streets. I got lost constantly, stared too long at maps, and marveled at how even grocery stores seemed effortlessly beautiful and close by. But slowly, I began to find a rhythm. I learned how to walk like I belonged (even when I didn’t quite know where I was going), how to slow down and truly take in my surroundings, and how to appreciate beauty not just in museums, but in the everyday: doing laundry out in a balcony, cooking at home meals and truly living like a local.

Went to coast of Castiglioncello

My classes took me around neighbors and into museums I used to only know from textbooks, and travel gave me glimpses of Italy far beyond Florence. I’ve spent long days wandering through art and architecture, sat beside strangers on trains heading to the coast, and taken in more sunsets than I can count; especially from Piazzale Michelangelo, where Florence glows just a little softer.

Last Gelato before leaving Florence

But more than anything, it’s the people who made this place feel like home. The friends I’ve grown with. The kind strangers who smiled when I stumbled through my Italian. The warmth of being recognized, even with a simple nod or smile, in a place that once felt so unfamiliar. Now that it’s time to leave, I realize Florence has taught me more than I expected. Not just about art or history, but about slowness, presence, and how beautiful it can be to fully live in a place, even temporarily. I’ll carry that with me long after I’ve left. So thank you, Florence, for your quiet charm, your tangled streets, your ability to make ordinary days feel unforgettable. This isn’t the end, just a goodbye for now.

Arrivederci, Firenze! You’ll always be with me.

Written by: Naomi, Spring 2025 Florence student from University of Tennessee, Knoxville