Kylee Wargo, Global Business Institute: Florence Fall 2024
For students planning to study in this program, I highly recommend taking the time to familiarize yourself with your surroundings as soon as possible. Learning to navigate the city without relying on a GPS is not only beneficial for your independence but also helps you blend in with the locals and not stand out as a tourist. During my time in Florence, I quickly noticed that Italians rarely have their phones out, and almost never use a maps app while walking through the city. By observing them, I realized how important it is to carry yourself with confidence and navigate with ease as it truly enhances your experience and helps you feel more at home as you quickly know where everything is. One thing I wish I had done earlier was learn how to use the public transportation system. Florence is a city that is easily walkable, but to navigate outside of the city center it is particularly important to utilize public transportation such as the bus and tram systems. Halfway into my time abroad, I encountered a challenging time when I had to visit the hospital to have an object removed from my eye. Figuring out the tram system for the first time was an unideal situation that was more stressful than it should have been. Had I learned how to use public transportation during my first couple of weeks, I could have saved myself a lot of trouble. I also would have felt more comfortable visiting more locations outside of the city center. My friends often visited the American showings at the movie theater and visited the outlet mall, which they used the bus for, and I regret not joining them. By learning the ways of the public transportation early on, you will be able to have more opportunities and understanding of Florentine life altogether. Embracing this level of transportation will make your time in Florence more enjoyable and understanding of their everyday traveling.
Leave a Reply