Student Journals: AIFS in Florence, Italy

John East
Plymouth State University
Richmond in Florence, Italy

Studying abroad is something you cannot describe in ten to twelve sentences. The one moment I want to talk about is when I first realized that I was in Italy. After the orientation on the first morning in Florence a fellow student and now friend for life and I were walking back to my apartment. The first challenge was finding our way! This day wasn’t full of perfect sunny weather or delicious Italian food. It was cold and rainy. As we were talking about our life before coming abroad we turned the corner and out of nowhere was the Duomo, just sitting there. This massive, beautiful structure that leaves you speechless. This was the first time I saw the Duomo in person, not in a picture or magazine. Just standing there in front of me. At this moment I truly realized that I was in Italy. In a country that four months before wouldn’t have pictured myself. Today I catch myself going to that spot and just think about how incredibly unexplainable my life is.

Richmond in Florence

Richmond Florence Internship Program