I studied abroad in Florence, Italy during the spring semester of 2025. While in Florence I studied art history to gain experience for my minor at MSU. While I am biased, I will claim that Florence is an especially wonderful place to study art, as you have the Uffizi Museum, the Pitti Palace, and the Academia Museum all within a fifteen-minute walk. Each of these contained priceless works of art I had only seen in pictures. It offered me the opportunity to study Renaissance history from the perspective of the artists, and I learned that art is the product of its society, and we can learn a great deal about the people of the time through artwork in context.

Of course, growth and learning are an expected part of any time abroad. Personally, I learned how to be truly independent for the first time. Suddenly, I had to learn how to navigate a new city, culture, and language without people I knew and trusted. My first night I was scared and homesick. I decided to take a risk and go into the city, and ended up finding a cafe with a sweet Italian woman who made me feel safe and comfortable. In that moment, I was empowered and knew my study abroad experience would be life giving and wonderful if I stepped out of my comfort zone and took calculated risks.

The culture of Florence was unique and forced me to lead a more relaxed life. Instead of rushing from place to place, I had to slow down and take in my surroundings. Conversations had to be more intentional and roundabout because of the language difference. My class subject matter was hands-on and interactive, and hours spent in art museums encouraged me to pay attention to the small details.  

Overall, my time abroad allowed me to experience a wealth of positive challenges and obstacles that expanded my capacity as a student and a citizen of the world. I would encourage every student to embark on a study abroad experience as part of their academic plan. From seeing priceless art in person on a random Tuesday to traveling every weekend to long walks along the river, you will not regret your time studying for a semester in Florence.

Name: Isabel Arnold
Status: Junior
Major: Physiology
Hometown: Laramie, Wyoming
Program: CEA CAPA Florence, Italy - Italy: Art, History & Language