The ISA JournalFrom a Small Town to Florence: The Realities of Studying Abroad for the First Time

Vivian Mergler is a student at Eastern Michigan University and a Featured Blogger. She is studying with ISA in Florence, Italy.

Studying abroad (especially in Italy) is often romanticized as a whirlwind of gelato, scenic Instagram posts, and exciting travel adventures. And while those things can be true, there’s another side to the story, especially when you’ve never left your country, let alone traveled by yourself.

As someone from a small town in Michigan with a population of just 3,275 people, moving to Florence, Italy — home to over 362,000 residents and what feels like thousands of tourists — was nothing short of a culture shock. 

Before this trip, I had never been on a plane by myself. I’d never navigated an unfamiliar city without the help of my family. I didn’t speak a word of Italian beyond “ciao” and “grazie” (which I learned very quickly I was saying incorrectly). And I certainly hadn’t lived in a place where scooters zipped through tiny cobblestone streets, people spoke in rapid-fire foreign phrases, and dinner didn’t start until around 7 or 8 p.m. 

The first few days were overwhelming. Homesickness crept in fast and hard. I missed what felt like the simplicity of my hometown, where everyone knows your name, the air smells like bonfires and fresh-cut grass, and the grocery store checkout lady always made some level of small talk.

In Florence, I felt like just another face — a tourist, specifically, in a sea of people. I missed my routines, my comfort foods (although the food here is the best I’ve tasted in my entire life), and even driving my car — something you don’t do much of in a pedestrian heavy city like Florence. There were moments I wondered if I made a mistake. The language barrier made simple tasks, like ordering lunch or asking for directions, feel like climbing mountains. I remember standing in a busy piazza, paralyzed by the noise and the crowds, unsure which way to go, and wishing I could blink and be back in my hometown.

But here’s the thing: Those hard moments eventually led to the start of incredible growth. 

As the days passed, I started to find my rhythm. I learned how to navigate the city’s narrow streets, how to use public transportation and call taxis, and how to pick up basic Italian phrases that made life just a little bit easier. More importantly, I started building connections with classmates from all over the world, with local shop owners who appreciated my effort to speak their language, and with myself.

For the first time, I was learning what it felt like to be independent and confident in the unknown. The homesickness hasn’t completely disappeared, but it has been softened by the beauty of new experiences. I’ve watched sunsets from the Piazzale Michelangelo that took my breath away. I’ve tasted pasta so fresh it ruined boxed noodles forever. I’ve listened to street artists play the most incredible tunes, gotten lost and discovered hidden gems, and made friends I never would have met if I stayed in my comfort zone.

Studying abroad in Florence has been one of the most challenging things I’ve ever done, but also one of the most rewarding. It’s taught me that feeling uncomfortable isn’t a sign of failure; it’s a sign that I’m growing. It’s shown me that homesickness doesn’t mean I’m weak; it means I have something worth missing. And most importantly, it’s proven that even a small-town girl who’s never left the United States can thrive in a big, bustling city across the ocean.

This experience hasn’t just given me memories — it’s reshaped the way I see the world and myself. I know that when I return home in a few weeks, I’ll bring back more than souvenirs; I’ll bring back confidence, independence, a broadened perspective, and a heart full of stories I never would’ve had if I hadn’t taken this leap. 

So, if you’re thinking about studying abroad but are scared of leaving everything you know, know that it’s okay to be scared. Just don’t let that fear stop you. Because on the other side of it is something truly life-changing.