Florence in the summer

The opportunity to study abroad is one I recommend taking. So many things I experienced were completely novel and unique to Europe and travelling alone. The CEA CAPA staff in Florence was absolutely wonderful, and they were able to get me and a few other musical students a live music gig with a decent turnout. They were sweet and helpful, and so was my internship employer.

However, Florence in the summer is brutal. It was even hotter than I expected (no AC) and the tourists are EVERYWHERE. My overall experience was good, but between the sweltering heat and the constant crowds (almost all Americans by the way) it is genuinely hard to get comfortable in that city.