Studying Abroad: Florence, Italy

Laine Mackle
Feb 11, 2020
2 min read

In the spring of 2019, I had the amazing opportunity to study abroad in the heart of Florence, Italy at Kent State's own University in Florence. I was able to take my required fashion related courses to stay on track to graduate in May. I was able to take Product Development, Fashion in the Media and Italian Fashion and Culture taught by Italian professors which put a unique perspective in learning from other countries take on the fashion industry.

The views in the Tuscany town were almost unbelievable.

I fell in the love with the Italian culture and the people in this country. Everyone was laid back, dressed elegantly and knew how to pair wine and pasta. This experience definitely changed me in away where it matured and enlightening me to the possibilities outside of America. I fell in love with traveling, meeting new people and trying new experiences that I have only dreamed of. Also, being able to do it all with some of best friends made it 100x more valuable.

Even though Italy was where I called my home for four months, I had traveled to other parts of Europe almost every weekend. Some of my highlights were:

1. Sipping tea in a standard english tea setting

2. Drinking a pint and having fish and chips in a local British pub

3. Going on the London Eye

4. Swimming in the Hungarian Thermal Baths in Budapest

5. Visiting the Bermuda Triangle in Vienna, Austria

6. Touring the Red Light District in New Amsterdam, Netherlands

7. Having the opportunity to go Fashion Week in Milan, Italy

8. Realizing Rome was overrated, but had amazing pasta

9. Paris was my dream come true

10. Eating a french baguette for breakfast is the best thing ever

11. Make your mom come to visit you, its worth all the memories

12. Ireland is expensive, but the most fun