Written by Ella Ramchand (Boston College), Student Correspondent for CET Florence, Fall 2025
Why study abroad?
My interest in studying abroad was first sparked through hearing my mother’s stories about her summer abroad during college (coincidentally also in Florence!). Getting to spend months immersing yourself in a new culture is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for most of us, and there’s no better time to do so than the present!
Studying abroad gives you a global perspective, cultural competency, and the ability to interact with people of diverse backgrounds: all of which are essential skills for most career paths. And taking classes in an international setting gives you firsthand experience in your chosen field of study by allowing you to explore cultural sites and museums!
Why Florence?
As a double major in Art History and Political Science, I felt like Florence was the perfect place for me. Florence is the birthplace of the Renaissance, one of the most influential artistic and cultural movements in human history, and provides easy access to world-renowned museums such as the Uffizi Gallery and Galleria dell’Accademia.
Florence also has an extensive political legacy, as it is the home of the powerful Medici dynasty, and studying here enables me to learn about Italian political history firsthand and draw connections between the European and American political scenes. Additionally, the amazing cuisine, the close proximity to multiple Italian cities, and hearing about positive experiences from past students all encouraged me to choose Florence!
Why CET?
What CET offers goes beyond just the classroom—it gives you the tools to connect with the local culture and each other. The unique elective courses you take are filled with visits to historic sites and are taught by top-notch professors. CET encourages us to volunteer in Florence to give back to the community, offers day and weekend-long trips to cities around Italy, and organizes a wide variety of activities to further engage us with Florence and Italian culture. I couldn’t recommend them enough!
Why the fall semester?
Spending your fall semester abroad is a great way to start your year off on the right foot. Florence has mild winters, and in September, you even get a taste of a European summer, which my classmates and I made the most of by participating in the CET-sponsored archeological site and beach visit! The CET fall student body is about a quarter of the size of the spring student body, which allows you to get to know all of your classmates and connect with your teachers on a more personal level.