HOW DID YOU ENGAGE WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY WHILE ABROAD?
I thought that engaging with the Italian community abroad was going to be a bit of a challenge, because I did not speak much Italian upon my first arrival. I was quickly proven wrong on this point however, because most Florentines spoke a decent (if not fluent) amount of English. As I began more versed in Italian throughout the semester, I would make small talk with cafe shop employees and try to engage with them in Italian as best I could! I found that the local community was extremely used to American tourists, and as long as you were kind and respectful they treated you with the same respect back!

WHAT'S ONE STORY OR IMPORTANT ASPECT YOU ALWAYS TELL PEOPLE ABOUT YOUR TIME ABROAD?
Something that was really important for me to learn as I began my time abroad was that it is ok to be alone! Your friends may not want to do the same things as you all the time, and it is more than ok to go to a museum, or take a day trip by yourself, and it can be really fun! I did plenty of things alone, and I enjoyed those moments just as much as I enjoyed the ones with friends. It can feel odd at first, as sometimes being abroad can feel purely like a social game, but it is important to remember that you are there for a cultural exchange, and the opportunity to truly take that in without friends around can be amazing!