While I was nervous to start my study abroad journey this past fall, I could not be happier that I decided to go through with it. I studied abroad in Florence, Italy through the ISEP direct program at Florence University of the Arts (FUA). I decided on ISEP because it cost less than some of the other Florence programs and promised us off-campus apartments with other study abroad students, rather than living with a host family. Some of my favorite things about my study abroad experience include the friendships that I fostered, my volunteer experience, the beautiful sights in Florence, and the interesting classes that were offered at FUA.





During my first week abroad, I went through an orientation provided by ISEP that allowed us to travel around various Italian cities in mid-sized groups before we arrived in Florence. Within my assigned group, I met two amazing people who I became very close with throughout the semester. We spent many days grabbing pastries and coffee at the local cafes, visiting Florentine leather markets, dining together at some of our favorite restaurants, and enjoying Tuscan wine. I was a bit worried about making new friends before I left the US because I tend to be kind of shy, but it helped that everyone was in the same boat as I was in terms of being in a new place and seeking to meet new people. Being abroad helped me become more extroverted and outgoing, and it led to some beautiful relationships that I hope will last a lifetime.
While abroad, I also had the opportunity to volunteer through my host university at an elementary school, at which I taught children English. More specifically, I assisted in the education of 3rd and 5th graders, and they were all so sweet and welcoming. I taught them about American holidays, some general vocabulary, and a few facts about myself. I found it extremely impressive that such young children were being consistently taught a second language, which is very common in Europe. Not only did the children learn about English from me, but I also learned about Italian culture from them. For example, my 5th graders taught me about the Italian Festival of Trees, and gifted to me a rock that they had painted while participating in the festival.





Following the cobblestone streets of Florence, I stumbled upon so many beautiful sights that I would not have been able to see if I never went abroad. Right by my apartment stood the Duomo, a gorgeous cathedral that never failed to invite a crowd to stare upon its unique architectural design. Just minutes away from my apartment was Piazza di Santa Croce, a plaza known for hosting a wonderful Christmas market featuring mulled wine, street food, and homemade Christmas-themed crafts. Each and every building in Florence depicted rich architectural and/or cultural history that never failed to amaze me. Living in a walkable city was so refreshing, as I have never lived anywhere with so many amazing restaurants, museums, and cafes within walking distance from where I lived. Not having to get in my car and worry about traffic made local travel so easy and stress-free, and gave me an opportunity to get some extra exercise each day.
FUA offers so many interesting courses that I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to take here at UTC. One of the most interesting classes that I took was Crime and Mystery History Walks in Renaissance Italy. In this class, we walked around the city center and visited spots that were famous for historical criminal activity, magic, and even ghosts. Another one of my favorite courses was Bibliotherapy: Reading, Healing, and Wellness. In this class we learned about how reading can be psychologically helpful in various situations, such as in prisons, in cases of child abuse of neglect, in situations where bullying is occuring, and as a treatment plan for mental illness. As a psychology major, I was very excited about the opportunity to apply psychology to one of my favorite hobbies, which I wouldn’t have really been able to do in the same way at UTC.
Carly Spicer (BS Psychology) spent Fall 2024 studying abroad in Florence, Italy through ISEP. Carly had the following to say about studying abroad, “Studying abroad was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I made so many new friends, traveled all across Europe, and indulged in delicious food and wine. If you’re on the fence about going abroad, do it! You won’t always have the opportunity to live and study in another country, so enjoy it while you can.”
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