Ciao! My name is Mariana Agadis, I am a sophomore at Penn State, majoring in Supply Chain and minoring in Global Studies. Outside of school, I love staying active, reading, writing, and trying new recipes. I chose Florence because of my Italian heritage and have LOVED my experience here. Please feel free to contact me with any questions on applying, packing, classes, budgeting, traveling, and anything else. I would love to help out!!

My favorite experience abroad was just enjoying Florence. You will be so excited to travel on the weekends, you might forget to enjoy the city you are in. I loved waking up early and walking around Florence as the sun rose and before all the tourists were out. I encourage you to get gelato, read, or chat with friends in the many squares of the city. It is a great way to observe Italian culture and create lasting memories.

My best piece of advice is to journal everything. If you have any free time, on the plane, train, or in cafes during the week, you MUST make time to journal. It is so rewarding to be able to look back and remember what you did and where you went every day while studying abroad. In this journal, I would also encourage you to journal how you are feeling and make some goals for your semester. Doing this will allow you to reflect on your once-in-a-lifetime experience in the best way. Additionally, I would recommend you choose classes that will interest you. My classes in Art History, Food and Culture, and Travel Writing made my experience here and allowed me to learn so much.