Study Abroad in Italy: An Unforgettable Journey

Three weeks ago, I ventured on an incredible journey overseas. I got to travel across Italy with the art department, experiencing its unique history, cuisine, and culture. This was my first trip overseas and all I can say is: Take me back!

Our first destination was Florence, Italy, where we spent six nights. After a tight-fitting taxi ride from the airport to our hotel, we dropped off our luggage, shook off the jet lag, and took to the beautiful streets of Florence. The squares were busy, the people were exciting, and the gelato was delicious (as I would continue to discover). We visited an outdoor statue garden where I got in trouble for drawing in charcoal (whoops), and eventually we made our way to the stunning Duomo di Firenze aka the Florence Cathedral. As soon as we spotted the Duomo, I was immediately blown away. We admired the structure for a while, and as the sun began to set, we enjoyed a meal sitting next to the Duomo.

The next morning, we traveled to Via Reggio to experience Carnevale! We met with McMurry alumni Logan Shary, who took us on an immersive tour of the city. She talked about the history of Carnevale, the mascots associated with it, and about the performance she would be a part of later that night at the parade. After our tour, she took us to a restaurant on the beach, where we enjoyed seafood, pasta, and of course, gelato. Once we wrapped our lunch, I went with Shary to her house and watched her get ready for Carnevale. She applied beautiful face paint and an intricate head dress and cloak while discussing her decision to move to Italy. As the night continued Shary parted ways with us to join her parade group, and we got to sit back and experience the incredible celebration of Carnevale. There were floats as big as buildings, dancers adorning the streets, and puppeteers controlling the beautiful moving art. The night was long and exhausting, but the experience was unforgettable!

We continued the week exploring Italy’s rich atmosphere. We explored the Uffizi gallery, drew Michelangelo’s David, and even got to participate in a pasta workshop! One of my favorite experiences by far, however, was climbing the Duomo di Firenze. It was a 1,000-step journey to the dome of the cathedral that overlooks the entire city. The view was absolutely breathtaking, clouds rolled over the tops of buildings, the sun glistened over the hills, and my heart exploded with gratitude and admiration for this opportunity.

Just like all good things, our stay in Florece came to an end and we ventured to Venice! We endured our first water bus ride to the hotel and walked around the city before we attended a mask making workshop. The night ended with a group of us attending a live Vivaldi concert, which was unbelievable! The music was beautiful, and the personalities of the musicians were incredibly engaging.

This trip was an unforgettable experience, filled with so many incredible moments that I can’t capture in a single article. From the rich history and breathtaking art to the vibrant culture that surrounded us at every turn, I was completely immersed and deeply inspired. My time in Italy has left an everlasting impression on me, and I eagerly look forward to returning to explore even more of its beauty. Thank you, McMurry, for this amazing opportunity!