I am so thrilled that I chose Florence as the destination for my study abroad. I cannot say enough great things about the API staff in Florence. They were caring and extremely helpful. They held so many weekend excursions and many activities. From cooking classes, to gelato workshops, walking tours and weekends to locations such as Rome, Tuscany (Siena & Wine Tasting), Sorrento, Capri, AnaCapri and Pompeii. I was fortunate to see the Pope on the last day our group was in Rome. I went to visit a friend of mine who has a home in Fano, Italy. I travelled by train, two hours to spend the weekend with her and her family. What a beautiful beach town. The university staff at Lorenzo de’Medici also held many activities for the students. I had the opportunity to see the opera Madame Butterfly, a Game of Thrones concert held in the Piazza Santissima Annunziata, a cooking class, a wine talk from Ruffino, a coffee experience at a historic Florence landmark, and savored many sumptuous dishes that Italy has to offer. This list is only a small amount of the history and culture I was fortunate enough to experience.
Living in Florence for one month was something I will never forget. It went very quickly. Now that I am home, I miss the friends I have made, I miss walking everywhere, I miss walking past the Duomo on my way to school and being serenaded by a musician playing the violin, I miss the Arno River with its sunrise and sunsets. I miss the fresh taste of the food. I intend to continue practicing the recipes I have learned and some of the language I picked up. I brought home with me, a love for Italy I never imagined! I know I will return.
-Teresa Burns (studied a psychology course abroad this past summer)
*Teresa was also a recipient of a Benjamin Gilman International Scholarship which she applied to her experience abroad.