Our Featured Alumni

Hi! I’m Lauren Ade, a current junior at Penn State University, class of 2026. I am majoring in Psychology (B.A.) with minors in Child Maltreatment and Advocacy Studies and Rehabilitation and Human Services. Upon graduation, I plan on attending graduate school and pursuing a career in clinical psychology with a focus on children. Please, please feel free to reach out with any questions about studying abroad in Florence! I absolutely adored my time abroad and would love to share all my tips and recommendations!!

Favorite Moment in Florence
It’s essentially impossible to pinpoint one exact moment in time that has been my favorite in Florence, so I’ll share a collection of little moments/experiences that have absolutely been highlights of my time abroad: people-watching while sitting alongside the Arno River, making friends with the staff at Bongusto (student discounts there!!), getting to pet at least 2 dogs a day (they are all over the city!), having breakfast and chatting with the lovely staff at Forno Ghibellina (BEST bakery in Florence), browsing gorgeous artisan jewelry in shops sprinkled around the city, eating a panino from Schiacciateria De Neri in between classes, aperitivo (try the Hugo spritz), sunsets at Piazzale Michelangelo, pistacchio gelato nearly every day, Carnevale baked goods like Frittelle, the church bells going off throughout the day, site visits with my art history courses to essentially all the museums and churches in Florence, the incredible architecture and rich history throughout the city, rainy days spent journaling about all the trips and experiences I’ve had abroad, afternoons lounging in the Boboli Gardens, and all the incredible people- locals and fellow study abroad students- I’ve met along the way.

Advice to Future Students
My biggest piece of advice to future students would be to try and say yes to everything! It can be really scary and feel isolating at first being in a new country, with new roommates, and a new “campus” but try to step outside of your comfort zone and say YES to all opportunities coming your way! Go to the ISI student-led events, say yes to that new person who invited you to dinner, go on impromptu day trips, and be open to everything! I found that by doing this, Florence quickly became home, as I had tried so many new places around the city, met people who quickly became my closest friends and travel buddies, and got exposed to all of the opportunities and connections that ISI grants us as students! So while I encourage you to take the leap, I also would say make sure you are taking care of yourself and engaging in lots of self-care and rest. Life is busy abroad so prioritize your well-being, everything else comes next! And lastly, don’t compare your study abroad experience to others around you: spend your time doing what YOU want, because, at the end of the day, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you deserve to cater to yourself!

Hi! I am a junior from Abington, Massachusetts, studying Business Management and Psychology at Roger Williams University in Bristol RI. I chose to study in Florence for its dedication to arts and culture and for a chance to learn more about the world around me. After I graduate, I hope to find a career that encourages me to travel, or maybe start my own business! 

Most memorable experience: 
I have so many memorable experiences throughout my time in Italy, but my most memorable experiences here in Florence have been when my friends and I make dinner and sit down at the kitchen table together. Sometimes, we’ll just boil some pasta and talk about our day, and other times we’ll plan to all make something and sit down together. The night before Valentine’s Day, my roommates and I had our friends over for a girl’s night. One of my friends brought over a meat and cheese board, and we ordered heart-shaped pizzas from Gusta Pizza, and made pasta and meatballs from scratch. I made chocolate-covered strawberries and raspberries and we had our own Valentine’s Day dinner. We listened to music on our old radio and played card games with a deck we found in our kitchen. Going to authentic Italian restaurants is an essential part of studying abroad in Florence but being able to test out new recipes with my friends, have a home-cooked meal, and have a good night in is so much fun! 

Advice for incoming students: 
Challenge yourself! You’re in a new city with all new people and it’s fun to try things you typically wouldn’t do at home. It’s easy at first to be scared and want to stick to doing the same things with the same people. I ended up doing a lot of exploring alone, sitting at cool restaurants by myself, and learning a lot about how I interacted with the world around me. I also pushed myself to meet new people and go places that I wouldn’t typically go to. Try new foods, talk to the people in your classes, and talk to the locals at your favorite restaurant or shop. At the same time, it’s important to give yourself a break every once and a while or you’ll burn out. It’s so easy to compare how you spend your weekends to what everyone else is doing, but so much of the experience here is learning about yourself, so it doesn’t matter what anyone else is doing. Definitely take advantage of your time here because it goes by so fast. 

Background:
Hi! My name is Jordyn, I am currently a junior at the University of Rochester. I’m majoring in Psychology and double minoring in Business and Brain and Cognitive Science. After I graduate, I plan to pursue a graduate degree in either clinical or forensic psychology. 

My favorite memory in Florence:
When reflecting on my favorite memory in Florence, many unique moments come to mind. However, one of my favorite days was when I went with some friends to watch the sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo after we finished class for the day. We spent the time sharing stories while trying to locate all of the familiar landmarks visible from the city overlook. After we finished, all of my friends came to support me as I played soccer for the ISI team in a local tournament against other institutions in the city. That evening, our team got our very first win and then we all went to get gelato to celebrate! 

Advice for future students: 
Overall, my experience in Florence has been absolutely life-changing. Although it can be intimidating to study abroad, one piece of advice I would give is to be present and savor every moment. I’ve learned that when I remind myself of this, it helps bring purpose to everything I do. Take pictures, videotape, journal, draw, strive to not let any moment or event go unnoticed. ISI truly offers countless opportunities to make your mark in this city. Along with that, I would also advise to always be open to change as you will grow a lot through this experience. This experience has not only taught me more about different cultures and lifestyles but has also taught me many new things about myself as a person and what I want for my future. Lastly, I would advise to prioritize gratitude. In a completely new setting with new people and situations, it is so easy to get caught up on the little things that may go wrong while living here. However, a simple reminder of where you are and the wonderful experience you are able to have can make a big difference. 

Hi! My name is Anna Sofia and I am a junior majoring in Psychology at the University of Maryland. I am from Boston, Massachusetts, and after graduation, I hope to get my Master’s in Industrial/Organizational Psychology abroad. 

My Favorite Moment in Florence 
My day-to-day life in Florence as a whole has been the highlight of this experience but if I had to pick one it would be my walks up to Piazzale Michelangelo with my friends to enjoy the beautiful view of the city at sunset. Spending quality time with my friends while appreciating the panoramic view was always such an enjoyable and relaxing experience. 

Advice for Future Students
My advice to someone studying abroad in Florence is to appreciate and take advantage of everything the city you are living in has to offer. Florence is such a unique and beautiful place and there is so much to see and experience. While traveling within Europe is just as exciting and memorable, doing daily activities you enjoy in Florence during the week, like hiking up to Michelangelo or going to your favorite cafe, are what makes the city feel like home. I would also advise you to do everything you can to fully immerse yourself in the local community and Italian culture. There is so much to learn and ways to grow, you just have to be willing to seek out opportunities and step outside of your comfort zone! 

Bio
I am currently a sophomore at the University of Connecticut, graduating class of 2026! I’m majoring in Physiology and neurobiology with a Pre-PA track. After I graduate I plan on continuing my education and attending a Physician Assistant program, hoping to be a Pediatric.

Favorite Moment in Florence
I’ve had so many amazing moments during my study abroad adventure that it’s tough to choose just one! But if I had to, I’d say it was the day my friends and I decided to watch the sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo after class. The view from up there is just breathtaking, especially as the sun starts to dip. It’s like the whole city comes alive with color. We found a spot to sit and watched as the sky turned all shades of pink and gold. It was magical. Afterward, we went to our favorite restaurant, Ristorante Accademia. The people there always make us feel like part of the family. It’s this cozy little place with the best food in town! To top it all off, we got gelato on our way back to our apartment. It was the perfect ending to a perfect day. Back at our apartment, we snuggled up and watched a movie together. Moments like these, where we’re just hanging out at our favorite spots in the city and enjoying each other’s company, are what makes studying abroad so special.

Advice to future students!
The best advice for incoming ISI students is simple: step outside your comfort zone. Meeting new people, embracing different cultures, and trying new experiences are what make studying abroad truly unforgettable. Keep an open mind, stay true to yourself, and be willing to explore beyond your familiar surroundings. By doing so, you’ll make lifelong connections, learn valuable lessons, and create memories that will last a lifetime. So don’t hesitate to take that leap – it truly turned out that studying abroad was the best decision I ever made.

Hi! My name is Allison Moses and I am a junior majoring in marketing at Penn State University. Studying abroad has been a life-changing experience and I hope to continue my travels after I graduate!

Most Memorable Experience:
My study abroad was filled with so many amazing memories and people. One of my favorite memories in Florence has been sitting in the Santo Spirito square with my roommates and the friends we have made here. This semester we have been blessed with so many sunny days where my friends and I would sit in the square. We would play cards, recap our weekend travels, and plan our upcoming weekends together. It was here that I built new friendships with the best people!

Piece of Advice:
The best piece of advice I could give is to build relationships with the locals! Making friends with your neighbors, local restaurant owners, and even the ISI staff members is one of the best things you can do. I have been given so many amazing recommendations of things to do here and in Florence that I never would have discovered on my own. I have also been given tips and advice for my weekend travels that have helped me make the most of my time here. Building these relationships has also made me feel much more comfortable here in Florence. Knowing I had people to talk to or even just wave to on the streets has made me feel at home here!

Bio: Hi! My name is Erica, and I was born and raised in Northern New Jersey. I’m a junior at Harvard studying Economics and Psychology. I was keen on studying abroad because I wanted to challenge myself and experience a new culture. I chose Florence not only because carbs are my favorite food group but also because I love Italian architecture and coffee!

Favorite Moment in Florence: My favorite moment in Florence was the first time I walked up to Piazzale Michelangelo and went through the Giardino delle Rose (Rose Garden). I loved how you could see everything even on the journey up to Piazzale Michelangelo. I liked the walk there better than the actual destination because of the beautiful nature and numerous benches you could sit on to take in the Florence skyline.

Advice to Future Students:
My advice to future students is to bring a journal with you wherever you go in your abroad experience and allow yourself the opportunity to pause and reflect! You will be challenged in new ways but also grow so much more than you thought possible. Be kind and patient to yourself, and celebrate all wins, big or small. You’ll have days where you miss home and days where you couldn’t imagine being anywhere else than in Italy. Embrace all the emotions and experiences that come your way because that volatility is part of the charm and benefits of studying abroad.

Hi! My name is Aiden Abeles-Tierney and I am currently a junior at the University of Maryland. I am majoring in General Communications and minoring in General Business and this semester I am studying abroad in Florence, Italy. I chose to apply to study at the International Studies Institute in Florence for my study abroad experience because it was highly recommended by many friends from UMD as well as other universities. After receiving my acceptance letter, the more information I got from the ISI board, the more I knew I made the right decision as they were extremely supportive, organized, and informative! I have had a wonderful experience during my time in Florence and could not have asked for a better affiliative program to go through!

My favorite memory:
I would absolutely have to say that one of my favorite memories of my abroad experience has been from a weekend when I chose to stay in Florence. When I decided to study abroad, I told myself that, as tempting as it is to travel every weekend, make sure to reserve some weekends to explore the wonders of the city of Florence. The Boboli Gardens have become one of my favorite places to visit either with friends or alone. My favorite memory has to be one Saturday when two of my friends and I took blankets, a speaker, snacks, watercolors, books, and our travel journals and spent the entire day lounging in the gardens. We spent over 5 hours in the gardens just relaxing, reading, listening to music, and creating art. Something about this experience felt so fulfilling and gave me this feeling of warmth and happiness. It is one of my favorite days I have spent abroad so far.

Advice for future students:
I have two pieces of advice for future students: the first one being more logistical and the second, more inspirational. First, if you choose to study abroad in the spring semester, you should visit all the tourist attractions on your list when you first arrive. From personal experience, I came into the semester with the idea that I would have the entire four months to explore and adventure everything I wanted to within Florence. However, as the weather gets nicer, I have found that the number of tourists drastically increases by the day and most attractions are sold out or take hours to access. The second piece of advice I would give future students is to trust your gut! This applies to all situations and scenarios especially while studying abroad, however, I specifically am talking about following your intuition to have all of the experiences you are specifically looking for. It is easy to get caught up in what everyone around you is doing and to feel the need to have certain experiences, but at the end of the day, you will feel most fulfilled and inspired by following your gut and pushing yourself to do the things you truly want to do.

Hi, my name is Livia Sinani. I am a third-year student at the University of Virginia, studying economics and public policy. My main areas of interest in policy include economic policy, foreign affairs, and equality policies. After graduating, I hope to work for nonprofits that advocate for the rights of those in need.

Favorite Moment in Florence:
I have had so many wonderful moments in Florence, filled with adventure, curiosity, and beauty. But I would have to say my favorite moment in Florence has been rafting down the Arno. This was an activity offered by the ISI staff and, in my opinion, worth participating in if you have the chance. I am not an outdoorsy person nor am I athletic, however, I found rafting down the Arno to be a surreal experience. Not only do people wave at you while you raft, instilling a sense of warmth and welcome, but you also get to see the Ponte Vecchio, one of the main tourist attractions in Florence, from a completely different perspective. Also, the time that we went rafting was around sunset, and the sky was filled with beautiful golden and pink hues. Additionally, the rafting experience involved going down the San Niccolò weir, which felt like doing a water ride at an amusement park. Moreover, there’s something uniquely gratifying about being able to state that you went rafting on the Arno, a historic and culturally significant river.

Advice to Future Students:
Don’t be afraid to try new things, especially by yourself. At times, it’s comforting to have people with you on your journeys. However, sometimes your schedule doesn’t align with your friends, giving you the opportunity to be alone. I’d say, take advantage of these opportunities to explore and try new things on your own. Solo trips are very popular for this reason. However, you don’t even need to have a solo trip to discover the benefits of being alone. Even spending an evening in Florence by yourself will achieve the same goals. The process of being alone can be an unexpected way to meet new people to connect with and in the process learn more about yourself.

Hey! My name’s Elizabeth Mueller, I got to the University of Virginia, and I’m majoring in Economics and minoring in Leadership and Public Policy. Studying abroad in Florence has truly been the experience of a lifetime, one I’m sad to leave behind. If you have any questions about whether or not you want to study abroad, please feel free to contact me.

My favorite memory:

If I had to pick just one of my favorite memories it would have to be my day spent in the Boboli Gardens. One nice, warm Saturday in late March, my roommates and I packed bags full of blankets, books, and snacks and decided we were going to spend the day in the gardens. We started off going to an all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant and stuffing our faces until the walk up to the Pitti Palace seemed like a reprieve. We went into the Boboli Gardens, and everything was so lush and green, people were milling around with their friends and family, and we just set up the blankets, lay in the sun, and read for hours. When we had finally had our fill, we started the walk home, stopping at people playing live music in the piazzas, getting gelato, and looking at the fresh artwork the local artisans had been doing all day. It was the perfect day, and at the end of it, we stayed in our apartment, cooked a huge meal for all eight of us, and piled into our living room to watch a movie together. It was a picturesque day filled with relaxation, friends, gelato, and music. My favorite memories aren’t the ones I made doing all the staple things like going to the art museums and climbing the Duomo (though those are fantastic memories and something I sincerely recommend you do). My favorite memories are the quiet domestic ones with the people I’ve met here and the ambiance so unlike anything at home.  

My biggest piece of advice:

If there’s one piece of advice I could give you, it’s to come in with an open mind. When thinking about whether or not to study abroad don’t worry about missing out at home, don’t worry about whether or not you’ll like your roommates or your apartment. If you come in with negative preconceived notions, you won’t be able to truly experience your time abroad. Studying abroad is supposed to be fun! It’s supposed to be a time when you can get away from your home and learn about yourself in a new environment. Studying abroad is what you make of it. If you think it’ll be bad and you spend all day sulking, it’s not going to be the best time. But if you come in with an open mind, stay true to yourself, and be open to new experiences, you will have the time of your life. Talk to the locals, learn the culture, and experience life outside of the comfortable bubble you’ve made for yourself in the US! I promise you won’t regret it.