Best Semester! Thanks CET

My experience was unique in that, unlike many of my friends in other cities, I was not ready to leave Florence at the end of the semester! This is truly a testament to my experience, which could not have been more positive, formative, and exciting. Living in Florence helped me to grow personally and professionally: not only did I develop a greater sense of independence, but I also nourished helpful skills, such as budgeting, planning, and, above all, assimilating to an entirely new environment.

I absolutely recommend CET as a program. I attend a small liberal arts college, and I found that CET coursework was interesting yet manageable. I am accustomed to small classes, so I appreciated the seminar style of many of my courses. My professors met and/or exceeded my expectations, and I enjoyed taking courses specific to Italian studies, such as my language course, my Italian history course, and my class on the Medici family. Professors were helpful and accommodating, always happy to meet with students and offer support. I also loved site visits with my classes: we went to many museums, palazzos, and churches, which helped me to get to know and love Florence all the more.

I was initially concerned that the small program size would inhibit my ability to get to know new people, especially from other colleges, but I found that there was actually an opposite effect. The small program size encouraged our entire cohort to become friendly, and I was happy to become close with friends from other universities.

I also recommend CET because of the housing. While many of my friends in other cities and programs were in dorm-style housing, I was fortunate enough to be in an apartment, which made my experience authentic. What's more, my apartment was in the city center, allowing for a truly immersive semester. Though there are many study abroad students in Florence, which can make it challenging to interact with Italians as frequently as one might expect, my neighborhood consisted of many local families.

Lastly, I recommend CET because of the staff and the activities. The on-site team is incredibly supportive and helpful with any and all student needs, from arrival to departure. In August, the staff met us at the airport and provided taxis to our apartments. We then went on short walking tours of the city, followed by a detailed, comprehensive orientation the next day. They also supported students by providing tips on travel and even explaining how to use unfamiliar appliances in our apartments!

In terms of activities, CET offers various excursions throughout the semester, with meals and transportation provided. We visited Rome, a beach, and an Etruscan site. We also learned how to make Tuscan cuisine in cooking classes and went on hikes.

I had a fantastic semester in Florence -- it wasn't just my "home base" for classes during the week, but an incredible city in which I never ran out of things to do and sites to see. I'm grateful to CET not only for great classes, but wonderful activities, immersive housing, and supportive staff.