CEA CAPA Education Abroad in Florence, Italy

I cannot express how much I loved being abroad. Being back from Florence, I'm still looking back and wishing I was walking past the duomo on the way to class and experiencing moments that would last forever with my now best friends. My whole study abroad group even just had a reunion at my school last week! The best thing about Florence is how nice and welcoming everyone is. From my teachers, to the locals, and especially the onsite directors, everyone truly made me feel like I belonged in Florence and like I was right at home. I could not recommend this program more if I tried.

My study abroad experience was unlike any other. Studying abroad was truly an amazing experience and I am very happy that I made the decision to study in Florence, particularly with CEA CAPA! The onsite team at the CEA CAPA Study Abroad Center in Florence were kind, caring, warm, and supportive, as they helped me navigate being in a brand new, unfamiliar environment, while slowly getting to know my way around the city center. They were very easy to approach and helpful whenever I had questions, ranging from academics and program trips/activities, to emotional self-care outlets for my own well-being when I initially felt unsettled.

My favorite part of the program was the Ganzo! Exchange program. I loved getting a home cooked meal and seeing how Italian families live. I made great connections with the family that hosted me and I still contact them past the program ending. Everyone was so welcoming and I never felt like an outsider.
Another special thing about this program were the outside activities that were facilitated by the program. My favorite one was the pasta making class. I went alone but I was able to connect with so many new faces which really speaks to the CEA CAPA program being so integrating and fun!

During the summer of 2026, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Florence, Italy through CEA CAPA. For three weeks in June, Florence became my classroom and my home as I studied Art and Architecture while experiencing Italian culture firsthand. The program allowed me to earn academic credit while learning in a completely different environment than a traditional college classroom. Instead of only reading about art, architecture, history, and culture, I was able to experience them in the places where they were created. My Art and Architecture course met in the afternoons, and much of our learning extended beyond the classroom. Florence is filled with centuries of history, so simply walking through the city became part of the educational experience. I was surrounded by historic churches, museums, piazzas, sculptures, and buildings that connected directly to what we were studying. Being able to see these places in person gave me a greater appreciation for the history and culture of Florence and helped me understand how a destination's past continues to influence its identity today. Outside of class, one of the most valuable parts of the program was learning how to live independently in another country. I had to navigate a new city, adjust to cultural differences, communicate with people from different backgrounds, and become comfortable being outside of my normal routine. Even simple experiences, such as grocery shopping, using public transportation, ordering food, or finding my way around Florence, helped me become more independent and confident. Living abroad encouraged me to be more observant of the culture around me and more willing to try things that were unfamiliar. The program also gave me the opportunity to travel throughout Italy. During my time abroad, I visited places including Rome, Cinque Terre, and the Dolomites. Each destination was completely different and allowed me to experience more of Italy's history, landscapes, food, architecture, and tourism. Traveling between cities also gave me experience planning transportation, navigating unfamiliar places, and adapting when plans changed. Some of my favorite memories came from exploring these destinations with other students and experiencing places I had previously only seen in pictures. More than anything, my summer in Florence changed the way I view travel and international experiences. I learned that studying abroad is about much more than visiting a new place. It is an opportunity to become part of another culture, even for a short period of time, and to learn through experiences that cannot be recreated in a classroom. I returned to Texas A&M with greater independence, confidence, and curiosity about the world around me. My experience in Florence also inspired me to become a CEA CAPA Study Abroad Campus Ambassador. I now have the opportunity to share my experience with other students, answer questions about studying abroad, and help students feel more confident about pursuing an international experience of their own. Florence was one of the most meaningful parts of my college experience, and I hope I can encourage others to take advantage of similar opportunities.

In the time leading up to my semester abroad, I was very anxious and nervous. I was not sure what to expect or how I would react to being so far away from my family and friends. And the first couple of days were hard for me, it was hard to find a new routine at first, and it was hard being somewhere so different from my usual life. However, I was able to work through these difficult adjustments, and I am so much more confident in myself and my abilities. I grew as a person when I set aside my own cultural norms and embraced the culture that I had immersed myself in. It was an eye-opening experience to see how others live and to understand on a deeper level the norms of another culture.
During my time, there were two things I really appreciated about the team in Florence with my program. First, I really appreciated the communication between students and the program leaders. In the weeks leading up to my arrival in Florence, I received multiple emails about what to expect and how to prepare for my arrival in the city. There were tips about the taxi system, safety tips for being out in the city, and recommendations for what to do and where to eat. As I had never spent an extended time in Florence, having these emails as a resource helped me to feel prepared and equipped for living in the city. This leads into the second point of appreciation, I really felt a sense of support during my program. My program leaders regularly checked in to make sure that my classes were going well, to make sure I wasn't having trouble in my apartment, and to make sure I was enjoying my time in Florence. It was obvious to me that my program leaders cared about their students and wanted them to have the best experience abroad possible.

Although my program was based in Sorrento, Italy, the program offered for Florence is just as amazing and offers multiple excursions throughout the program! The courses are fun yet educational and the city of Florence is just as lively and known for their historical art and duomo! Having access to local transportation, we are also able to easily travel to other major cities within Italy, such as Venice, Milan, Rome, and Naples! The academic program offers many courses that could fulfil gen ed requirements or major requirements as well!

Studying abroad with CEA CAPA is the reason I had such an amazing experience. I walked into the experience with one friend from my home university and walked away with a group of 10 lifelong friends. This program provides so many opportunities to meet new people from the hundreds of activities they offer. The support staff is always willing to help and answer questions whether it is something big or small. Before leaving, my parents weren't the most enthusiastic about the idea of me being so far from family and friends but looking back now they say they had nothing to worry about. In the first few days of arrival you have a comprehensive orientation where you get emergency contacts and essential safety and wellbeing information. I never felt unsupported or alone, I knew the staff was always there. The class times allow for lots of time to explore other countries, cities, or places. I completed a 15 week semester and felt I was able to explore Florence entirely while also checking so many things off my bucket list around Europe. I had the best experience ever and would reccomend this program to everyone.

Last Spring I had the chance to live in Florence, Italy for 3 1/2 months. In that time span, not only did I complete classes towards my degree in my University in the States but I also got to experience the "way of life" in a whole other matter. I would choose to do this over and over again if I could, and would not change a thing! I ended going by myself and meeting 7 other random girls at our loft apartment in Florence and immediately creating life long friendships with them. Walking to class everyday, grabbing a snack at appretivo hour, and climbing Michelangelo during my free time are all things that I took for granted for being back in the States now, and my main goal is to spread the idea that EVERYONE should go abroad once, to create life-long memories.