Studying abroad with SAI at FUA in Florence, Italy

My school, Florence University of the Arts, has an Italian Family Club. Where if selected you get matched with a local Firenze family and can spend weekly time with them. I was matched with a wonderful family who showed me what their daily life looked like. They invited me to their home for dinners, taught me how to make carbonara, took me to both of their Nonna's houses, showed me around the area they lived in, and invited me to spend Easter with them. They helped me practice my Italian and were so encouraging. Nonna Lucia was the first to tell me that the new Pope was American. She was so excited to share the news with me and talk to me about this.

By studying abroad I gained so much confidence that I knew I had in me but hadn't unlocked yet. I studied the Italian language, and am proud of how much I learned. I took a class on the Italian-American Experience where I learned about Italian history, the immigration process, did a research project on my family's immigration from Italy to the United States and found supporting documents along the way.

Each member of the SAI on-site staff was wonderful and so helpful. They would recommend things for me to do, and I got to know some personally from attending the "Viva Experiences" included in the program. I went on a day drip to San Gimignano, made a leather wallet, a local food tour, gold foiling class, and much more! The SAI staff was always there for me when I needed them! I couldn't recommend SAI and studying at FUA enough!