Home Away From Home

My first week in Florence was a culture shock. From the open-air city of Los Angeles to a more compact town like Florence, I was initially taken off guard and scared for my new adventure. Quickly, I realized the worlds that sat behind the yellow concrete buildings. The local coffee shop, which looked similar to the ones on most streets, became a home in itself. The barista quickly learned my name and order, and each morning, I was comforted by the familiar face. Between classes, I'd wander off into a random church, only to experience the astonishing sights of Brunelleschi's work. His ability to create illusions of space in otherwise standard construction was incredible. My free time was never boring. I often went with new friends to check out the local markets or thrift shops between classes. Or, we would grab a cappuccino with our professor and hear about her favorite places in Florence. We would sit outside the Duomo just minutes from campus to admire the building and people-watch tourists. The school and city filled my time with learning so much about the city's history and how to experience Italy's culture best. I took quick trains around Italy many weekends to see amazing new places. But, at the end of those trips, I was always excited to return to my new home away from home.