Truly A Life Changing Experience

Studying abroad in Florence for a semester was by far the best decision I could have made. The fact that you're able to leave the US for a semester and immerse yourself in an entirely different culture than your own is so exciting. From the minute I got to Florence I felt this sense of home away from home and was surprised by how quickly I was able to pick up on my surroundings and able to navigate the city on my own. That was very comforting to me, especially being so far away. API helped tremendously with feeling comfortable during this transition and was with us every step of the way until we were settled in. I was shocked by how equipped and nice our apartment was, it was very clean and spacious for an apartment right in the city. It came with all the supplies needed for cooking and cleaning. My apartment was so close to the Duomo and I always felt safe both in my apartment complex and whenever I was walking outside. If anything breaks or isn't working properly, API is on top of it! They were always quick to respond and fixed any issues in a timely manner. All of the program directors were awesome, they helped in any way they could whether it was getting in contact with parents, academics/home universities, or finding out what restaurant to eat at, they were always happy to help. The API program also included amazing weekend excursions to various cities outside Florence so you got to see other parts of Italy. This was definitely a highlight and something that's really unique to the program. Overall this was an experience I will never forget and the best semester of my life. It truly changed who I am and I can't wait to go back to the city that has such a special place in my heart.