Howdy! My name is Sydney Cox and I am almost one week into my study abroad trip in Florence, Italy. These past few days have been incredible! From the moment I stepped off the plane, I was taken aback by the beautiful scenery of Florence, from churches to castles, and so much more. In just the four short days I have been here I have had the privilege of visiting the Duomo on a guided tour, participated in a walking tour of the city led by our amazing professor, and have gotten to eat some of the best food I have ever had in my life! I have also been attending my classes, which might not sound as exciting as touring the Duomo, however, they have been extremely engaging and I have thoroughly enjoyed them. Additionally, my arrival was very smooth due to the organization of the program. It was a breeze navigating how to get into my accommodations, learning how to get around the city, and so much more. My initial impression of Italy as a whole has just been great. Seeing how Italian culture is different from American culture is so eye-opening. I have noticed it in various ways such as how the people of Italy have a greater appreciation for relaxing and living in the moment, they move at a much slower pace than Americans do. Regarding my first impressions of Florence, besides just being awe-struck by the beauty of the historic buildings here, I think this city is amazing in many other ways. It is very walkable and extremely easy to go from one end of the city to the other. I have really enjoyed getting to see the way of life here in Florence, Italy and I cannot wait to learn more. I hope that through this trip I will gain not only knowledge about Global Leadership and Business Law in the classes that I am taking, but that I will also gain a new perspective about the world and be able to be a more confident individual. I know that this trip will leave a lasting impact on my life and I am so excited to keep learning and exploring over the next few weeks!
