Study abroad programs for college and gap students
Photo Essay: CET Florence
Photos by Nicole Cox, (Vanderbilt University) Student Correspondent CET Florence, Spring 2019
I can’t believe the semester is almost over. Every time I see the Cupola di Brunelleschi, I feel like I’m home, but in less than 2 weeks I have to leave (tragic). This lovely view of the Cupola is from the Campanile di Giotto, which I would highly recommend climbing.I was lucky enough to have my parents and brother come visit me for a week, and we went to the lovely Cinque Terre. Around sunset, we ate in Manarola with a great view of the city, so we got to watch the lighting on the buildings change with the shift from daytime to golden hour to sunset to duskOne of the great things about Italy is how accessible everything is by train. My friend and I spontaneously decided to do a short trip to the beach in Viareggio, and we caught a beautiful sunset thereI did a solo day trip to Milan one day because class was cancelled, and I absolutely loved the city. It is much more modern and large than Florence, but still pretty walkable. I walked from the train station all across the city, hitting a semester high of 36,000 steps. I was exhausted but it was worth it, Milan has so much greenery and variation across the city.I did a solo day trip to Milan one day because class was cancelled, and I absolutely loved the city. It is much more modern and large than Florence, but still pretty walkable. I walked from the train station all across the city, hitting a semester high of 36,000 steps. I was exhausted but it was worth it, Milan has so much greenery and variation across the city.Easter in Florence was crazy! We were stuck in a giant crowd to watch the Scoppio del Carro (explosion of the cart), and it was so hard to see because I’m pretty short and everyone stuck their arms up to take photos and videos. But it was still a really neat experience to watch a classic Florence Easter tradition.It finally started feeling more like spring here when I went to the Boboli Gardens with some friends and we practically melted on a bench while trying to read. It was beautiful there though, and we even got to see a majestic bird eat a fish.Included with the ticket to Boboli Gardens is the Bardini Gardens, which I preferred. The wisteria is magically beautiful when in bloom, and while you can see some throughout the city, this lovely pathway is especially gorgeous and worth the uphill walk to get to it.And last but not least, a view of the Duomo from Giardino Bardini. To say I’m sad to leave would be an understatement; I’m holding back tears as I write this. Florence has been a dream come true and I never want to leave, but I know I’ll find my way back some day. Ti voglio bene Firenze, a dopo!
