Wow, there are no words I could use to describe this study abroad that would do it any semblance of justice. Before this trip, I had never been out of my time zone, let alone out of the country. Italy specifically holds a very special place in my heart, as it’s where my great-grandparents grew up. I’ve grown up with the Americanized Italian culture and have recently within the past two years started learning the language, hoping to one day be able to use it. When I learned the next high school study abroad would be to Italy, I knew I had to go. My expectations before this trip were extremely high from the stories I’ve been told and pictures I’ve been shown, and it sure did not disappoint.

On our trip, we visited Rome, Naples/Pompei, Florence, and Pisa. Out of all of those places, my favorite has to be Florence. Aside from the amazing food and delicious gelato, there was one piece of architecture that took my breath away: the Duomo. Throughout the trip, we came across amazing pieces of architecture and art, but in my opinion, none compared to the Duomo. You don’t realize how truly magnificent and enormous it is until you’re standing 20 feet away from it, close enough to truly see all the fine details. I also really liked how small Florence was. The city areas in Italy were indeed created to be walkable, but that fact was the most obvious in Florence. On the very last night, a few of my friends and I walked from our room at the Villa Royal to a McDonald’s only 10 minutes away for a late-night snack. On the way, we passed aqueduct-fed fountains spouting pure drinkable water, the academia housing the very famous statue of David, and squares with beautiful fountains and statues. It was truly an unimaginable experience for someone from Florida, where the nearest grocery store is a 10-minute drive away.

Overall, I think it’s safe to say I had an amazing time in Italy and will make it a personal goal to return in my lifetime. Ciao!
– Alexis, SPC Italy (High School) Study Abroad Program, March 2024