Living in an unfamiliar country can feel overwhelming–but the friendships you make along the journey shape the whole experience. Here’s my journey of finding happiness, laughter, and connection in Florence in ways I never anticipated.

Upon my arrival to Florence, I had a clear vision in my head of what my study abroad experience would look like.I knew it would be life changing, exhilarating, and beautiful– but I also believed it would be something I would experience alone. I expected to meet people,of course, but deep down I thought It would just be me and Italy on this Journey.

All of us girls sitting on a bridge enjoying the sunset together

I couldn’t have been more wrong. Once all us girls were settled into our “new lives”, we started to truly connect. While we all got along from the beginning, I didn’t anticipate just how deeply these friendships would grow. The turning point for me came during our visit to Piazza Michelangelo. It was just five of us–another friend soon to join–climbing to one of the most breathtaking spots in Florence. We pushed through steep steps together, talking, laughing, taking pictures, and soaking in the view. In that moment, surrounded by Florence beauty and unexpected connection, I realized this might not end up being a solo journey like I expected.

Farewell

From this point on, especially with the addition of another girl to our group, the friendships truly flourished. Whether it was a day trip to Pisa and Fiesole, dinner at Trattoria Zaza, strolling through the Boboli Gardens, cooking classes, having deep conversations, sharing endless laughter, or even creating our own inside jokes and lingo–we experienced it all together.

This experience became a life lesson to me. I had convinced myself I would be alone, but deep down, I was quietly hoping that just one friend would join me on this life-changing journey. What I didn’t expect was to find not just one, but six incredible friends. I’ve always known that studying abroad in Italy would be amazing–but sharing it with others made it even more meaningful. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that putting yourself out there is worth it. The friendships you make just might become the most unforgettable part of your journey.

Written by: Emelia, Summer 2025 Florence High School Student