Written by Zada Hall, University of Virginia | ISI Florence Summer 2025
When I came to Florence, I was eager to learn about the city and its culture in an immersive and challenging way. Through ISI Florence, I was connected with the incredible Ars et Fides Association, which gave me the opportunity to volunteer as a tour guide at the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, one of Florence’s oldest and most remarkable churches.
While at my university, I have found a passion for art history and the meaning behind artistic expression. There are few greater places to deepen my knowledge than Florence. With its strong religious connection to art, the intersection between art and faith here is deeply moving and powerful. Historic churches and religious sites have become heavily adorned museums containing masterpieces with intricate religious iconography and skilled craftsmanship. In my first encounter with Santa Maria Novella, I was awestruck by the scale and detail of the artworks throughout the basilica.
Guiding visitors through Santa Maria Novella has not only deepened my understanding of Florentine art and history but has also challenged me to think more critically about how we connect with history. Each tour feels slightly different depending on the group: some visitors ask historical or theological questions, while others simply want to take in the beauty around them. I’ve learned how to skillfully adjust my approach in the moment, in order to better connect with each new audience. It has taught me how to be more comfortable speaking in front of different people and how to communicate ideas and information both clearly and meaningfully.
Volunteering at Santa Maria Novella also helped me build a well-balanced and fulfilling routine while abroad. With so many new experiences and opportunities in Florence, having a weekly commitment gave some structure to my schedule and helped me to manage my time more intentionally. It became a consistent point in my week that worked to keep me grounded, while still allowing enough flexibility to explore and do everything the city has to offer. The experience improved my time here beyond academics and travel; it gave me a sense of purpose and connection to the local community.
This experience has also reminded me of the importance of preserving and sharing cultural heritage. The Ars et Fides Association is centered on the idea of making sacred spaces more accessible and meaningful to visitors. As a volunteer, I’ve learned how to be both respectful of the church as an active religious space and enthusiastic about helping others understand its historical and artistic significance. Florence welcomes millions of visitors each year, and I’m grateful to have played a role, however small, in helping a few of them leave with a deeper understanding of what they’ve seen. I thus feel I have contributed to honoring the church and ensuring its history continues to be heard and appreciated.
On a more personal level, volunteering at Santa Maria Novella has been one of the most grounding parts of my time abroad. While studying in Florence has been full of excitement and new experiences, it can also sometimes feel a bit overwhelming. Having the additional structure of returning to the basilica each week gave me a sense of growth and purpose.
As I became more familiar with the space, I noticed new details in the artwork and architecture, and my appreciation for it only grew. Each week, I would incorporate new facts and pieces of information into my tours, helping me deepen my understanding of the Santa Maria Novella over my time there.
Looking forward, I know this experience will stick with me. I’ve developed communication skills, a deeper understanding of Florentine history and religious art, and the ability to engage with people from many different backgrounds. And more importantly, I’ve learned how meaningful it is to observe and share stories from the past. I am proud to have had a part in continuing to foster a sense of appreciation for a historic site for so many visitors. I have learned that art and history do not exist in isolation; instead, they shape and reflect the world around us, and they deserve to be explored with care and respect.
I’m incredibly grateful to the Ars et Fides Association, to ISI Florence, and the wonderful Serena Giorgi (ISI Florence Community Engagement Coordinator) for welcoming me into this experience. It has truly enriched my time in Florence and helped me grow both intellectually and personally.