I am currently a junior at the University of Maryland, College Park. I’m majoring in Criminology and Criminal Justice with minors in Sociology and Sustainability Studies. After I graduate I plan on continuing my education and attending law school.

My favorite memory in Florence:

I have had so many memorable moments while living here in Florence but I would say the most memorable would be when I got the opportunity to start a donation drive for a local shelter. For Thanksgiving, I wanted to give back and give thanks to the community here in Florence and to help those in need. The students and staff at ISI were able to donate numerous items to both the women and children living at the shelter. Overall, this experience has been rewarding and I’m very grateful to have had the opportunity to organize this donation drive and to give back to those who need it the most.

Advice for future students:

Before traveling to Florence I would highly recommend not bringing as many things in your luggage because you’ll end up wanting to bring a bit of Florence back home with you. Now a piece of advice while staying in Florence would be to attend the many activities ISI creates for their students. They have volunteer opportunities as well as group activities such as cooking classes, boat tours of the Arno river, leather-making classes, and much more. Taking part in these activities is a great way to not only make friends but to also explore the city and immerse yourself in the culture.