I
have been living in Italy for just under two months and I don’t think that I
could generate an ample description of this breathtaking country. Italy is not
the type of country that can be summed up in a few words, or even a paragraph.
It does not have a single, coherent personality. Italy is a medley; it is an
amalgamation of towns and cities that are each beautiful in their own unique
ways. Each location has a singular character, an aura that is all its own.
In
September I have travelled to Cinque Terre, Rome, the Amalfi Coast and San Gimignano.
I have explored Tuscany and witnessed the most incredible landscapes. Each
experience has been a unique adventure. In Cinque Terre we hiked through
vineyards, plunged from the jagged cliffs into the bright blue ocean, and then
sipped wine on the beach as the sun sank into the water. Rome is so different,
so metropolitan. Despite its cosmopolitan nature, it is saturated with history
– travelling with the program, I toured the Coliseum, the Vatican, the
Pantheon, and more. By contrast, the Amalfi Coast is a paradise, and our boat
ride along the coast was one of the best times of my life. Contrastingly, San
Gimignano is a city entirely frozen in time. It is a quiet medieval town
nestled in the rolling hills of Italy. No two locations can even be compared –
each city is special. 
Italy
seems like a puzzle. Each piece is so different but so integral to Italy’s
spirit. All of the pieces are unique, but they join together perfectly to
create something amazing.
This
upcoming weekend I am travelling to Assisi and then to Perugia for the annual chocolate
festival. The next week, I am exploring the ruins of Pompeii and hiking Mount
Vesuvius. I plan to go to Lucca, Turin, Verona, Siena, and Venice. I am
confident that every experience will be distinctive and amazing. I want to
become acquainted with every inch of Italy, to get to know this incredible
country in its entirety.
Despite
all of the amazing experiences I’ve had thus far, Florence is by far my
favorite piece of the puzzle of Italy. I have been living in Italy for just
under two months and Florence is already home; I’ve fallen in love with its
unique personality. I’ve fallen in love with the incredible sight of the Duomo,
with the breathtaking view of the Arno at sunset, with the delicious food, and
the prevalence of beautiful Renaissance artwork. I’ve fallen in love with its
rich history, friendly locals, and nonchalant culture. Florence, like the rest
of Italy, has a character all its own, and I couldn’t imagine studying abroad
anywhere else.