By Natalie Swallow, Ohio State University | ISI Florence Spring 2026
Eiffel Tower, Paris- Disneyland, Paris
- Moroccan Camels
- Italian Seaside
The Decision: Why Florence Was the No-Brainer Choice
Ciao! My name is Natalie Swallow, and I am a 3rd year Political Science student at The Ohio State University. I am originally from Rocky River, Ohio (Cleveland area), and I ultimately decided in my freshman year of college that I wanted to study abroad. I have always looked for experiences that would challenge me, and I thought what better time to travel all over the world than when I am in college, don’t have many responsibilities other than school, and don’t have to pay for the entire experience myself as a broke college kid? (Thanks, Dad!) It was up in the air for a while where I wanted to study, but after changing my major from Marketing to Political Science at the beginning of my junior year, my study abroad options broadened, and I concluded that Florence would be the best opportunity for me. With the extremely walkable city, the cultural history, and the amazing International Studies Institute, it was a no-brainer for me. After what seemed like months of filling out paperwork and sending off my Visa, I was so excited to start my semester here in Florence in early January 2026.
The Financial Reality: Skydiving, Camels, and the “Multiply by 3” Rule
The biggest thing I was worried about coming here was not being here alone, not the school studies, and not even the traveling, but actually how much money would be spent during my time abroad, and how to budget. From what I have learned, however much you think you need or what people tell you, multiply it by 3, and you may still barely get by, but on the bright side, at least the experiences are so cool! While here, I have gone skydiving in Switzerland, camel riding in Morocco, seen my favorite artist, MGK, perform in Bologna, and visited Disneyland and the Eiffel Tower in Paris! It is one thing to budget for expenses at home, but here, when you have to pay for everything from food to travel arrangements every weekend, it adds up…FAST. Just be smart about your purchases! I learned this after my first few weeks.
The Reality Check: Missing the Comforts of Home
Even with all the positives of being abroad here in Florence, there are, of course, obstacles too. Many of the everyday things here, from different store hours to cafés and their individual rules about laptop usage when I am just trying to do my school work, to the buses never being on time when I am in a rush to get somewhere across the city, a lot of things tend to run a lot differently than back at home in the U.S. There have been days when I have been flustered and missing home when things do not go as planned, but I have learned to brush it all off and remind myself that I am experiencing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity while being here. Another thing that almost every study abroad student will tell you is that there will be days when you get homesick, want to leave, and can’t wait for the semester to be over. Of course, every person feels this in different ways, but for me, it is missing the everyday things at home, such as my kitten Baby Dave and my family and friends…also, can’t forget my beloved Chipotle and the U.S. version of Starbucks as well. The emotional aspect of being here is definitely something you learn to strengthen, and to know that good things are worth waiting for. I always remind myself that these feelings are completely temporary and that while I am here, I need to take advantage of all the opportunities presented to me. Without being here, I would not have been given the chance to meet the amazing people and friends I have made, who have made this trip so memorable, and I am so thankful to have met them! Most other kids my age aren’t spending a whole semester traveling the world while studying in Italy, so I know how blessed I am to have this experience.
The Transformation: Looking Beyond the “Home Bubble”
My personal outlook has changed since being abroad, as I have had the chance to surround myself with many different languages and cultures. It is so easy to just stay in “the bubble” of being at home, as my family likes to joke, but being here has helped me become much more open-minded about how other people live their lives. Being here has helped me appreciate where I come from back home and everything I can experience while in Florence! The overall experience I have had so far has been meaningful to me, and it has really helped me further develop mentally, physically, and spiritually, which is something I will carry with me long after I leave this amazing city of Florence!