written by Brooke Beste for SPEL: Public Relations
Living abroad isn’t always picture-perfect. Through culture shock, homesickness, and self-discovery, I’ve learned that finding “home” in Florence takes time, patience, and an open heart. This is my journey.
I have currently been away from home for 13 weeks… not that I’m counting. While being away and immersing myself in a new culture, I’ve discovered that I value energy and the overall ambiance of my environment. I love to observe and analyze culture, food, individual attitudes, and especially fashion. Over time, I’ve found my favorite places—and a few dislikes—within Florence. I’ve explored other countries and experienced different ways of life, but I’ve come to a solid conclusion: the way Italians live is unlike anywhere else I’ve visited.
While Florence is often portrayed through the lens of grand cathedrals and iconic artwork, I’ve learned that the real soul of the city is found in its quiet corners, local rituals, and everyday encounters. As a student living and studying here, I’ve discovered that capturing these moments through photography offers a more intimate and authentic narrative of Florence—one that goes far beyond the postcard image.
At first, the locals gave me a hard time. From graffiti that read “Yankee Go Home” to the frustration of not understanding the Italian language, I genuinely felt like an outsider during those first few weeks. However, that all began to change once I started school. I suddenly had a
community of individuals around me who wanted to grow and learn just as much as I did. I began to understand the way of life in Italy.
I started feeling comfortable ordering at restaurants and learning the etiquette of being in Italian society. By week eight, I finally felt like I had a grip on the reality of Florence. I realized the importance of leaving the house looking presentable and enjoying my food inside the restaurant instead of ordering it to go. These small changes made me feel more connected, intentional, and at ease in my new environment.
Still, being homesick has been a complicated emotion to process. Sometimes it makes me feel guilty. I’m the baby of my family and incredibly close to them—they truly are my best friends. I’ve never been away from them for this long. I miss the simple things: my favorite dark blue suede couch in the living room and Chipotle just down the street.
But when I sit with these thoughts, I can’t help but smile. How lucky am I to live in the heart of Florence, surrounded by my friends? Within just a few miles, I can be at the train station with endless possibilities. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity has taught me so much about gratitude—how to thoroughly soak up the Italian sun and appreciate the unique beauty of my life this semester.
Florence doesn’t offer the same activities my home city of St. Louis once did, and that’s okay. I now walk everywhere, eat pasta shamelessly every day, and leave the house feeling confident in my ability to handle whatever problems the day brings. Florence has shown me how to slow down my overthinking mind. It’s helped me discover where I find happiness and what interests me. It’s allowed me to feel more mature and make decisions supporting my well-being.
As I approach the end of this study abroad journey, I feel deep appreciation. The excellent professors and advisors I’ve met have shown me how much kindness and intellectual curiosity matter in helping students succeed and stay on the right path. The learning experience of being a twenty-something in Florence has shown me that finding a “home” is more than a physical place to sleep and eat—it’s about the culture, the time, and the personal growth you experience along the way.
Florence has become a part of me. And in its own way, it has become home.