Alyson Ferrari, Engineering Perspectives of the Renaissance and Sustainability: Florence Summer 2025
Everyone has their own reason for choosing to study abroad. My reason was to be immersed in the culture, which meant I wanted to go to areas that weren’t as well traveled. I challenged myself to speak to locals in their native tongue, and I even studied for a time at a nearby language school to build my conversational skills. This was not the motivation for any one else on my trip, and I learned that rather quickly.
I found it a bit difficult to find people who would want to go on the trips I wanted and when I wanted. It also meant that I was oftentimes separate from the group so that I could get the experience that I have been dreaming of since I was in the seventh grade. That was rather nerve-wracking, especially at the beginning. However, you have to remember when you’re abroad that you came all that way for a reason, and you don’t want to come back feeling like you didn’t make the most of your time over there. So, learning how to put yourself first and realize that if you want something to happen you are going to have to make it happen, may just be a challenge you will also have to overcome while abroad. Here’s how I did it and some of my tips and tricks to remain safe while traveling through Italy.
First and foremost, I learned how to use the trains. Download the Trenitalia app, get familiar with it, and link your card through Apple Pay or something similar. This app allowed me to look through all of the regional and high speed trains across the country, find their schedules as well as track their status. I had several experiences in Rome where my train got delayed, and this app allowed me to check where the train was, how much longer it would be and if it was worth transferring my ticket. It’s also super helpful when there is a cancellation and you need to find another option in a pinch. With that said, regional trains will be cheaper, but a lot slower. If you are going to places that are further away such as Rome from Florence it really is worth the extra money to make it there within 2 ½ hours rather than 5.
When it comes to finding things to do, take to Tik Tok or Instagram or whatever else you use, because 9 times out of 10 there will be recommendations for the area on attractions to see and places to eat. For me, I enjoyed walking around a bit, reading menus and then deciding where I wanted to eat based on what I saw. But if you like having a plan, social media will be your best friend. Also, I highly recommend using it to look up local street markets because you can grab some of the coolest finds for rather cheap at those little vendors.
When it comes to safety, words cannot express how important it is to have access to data so that you can call someone and use your Maps to get you from point A to point B. Maps was my most used app, while I was abroad. I used it to get everywhere and losing access to that would have prevented me from doing half of the traveling I did. That also means bringing a portable charger. I will say it again, bring a portable charger! There was one night where I was coming back from a trip and my phone was at 6% with a 1 ½ train ride ahead of me, which was nothing less than scary. Thankfully, some nice travelers offered me a charging bank while I was on the train, but I never went out of the house without one again after that. So keep your data on, your phone charged and also make sure that it is thief proof because there are a lot of pick pocketers in Italy. I used a cross body bag that I kept everything in, and when in really crowded areas or the train station I would keep my arm over it for extra protection. Do not put your phone in your back pocket if you want to see it again! I also recommend carrying with you some sunscreen, cash, a snack, water and tissues. Italian allergies are not for the weak, believe me.
Most importantly, don’t be afraid to get up and do it. On my last Sunday in Florence, my roommates wanted to stay in the city and do some local activities, while I really wanted to see Cinque Terre, a state park that consists of 5 cities along the northern coast that have hiking trails connecting them. Instead of giving up on that dream, I got up, booked myself a train, gathered water and snacks and headed out. I was able to buy a day pass that allowed me to take the trains and hiking trails freely. I had one of the most calming and beautiful hikes of my life, taking my time through the magnificent views and not feeling pressured by other people to keep going when I just wanted to take it in. It was liberating and one of my best memories in Italy, which I would have never have had had I not taken the initiative and gotten over the jitters of doing something on my own.
Leave a Reply