Florence, Italy is arguably the greatest city in the world for a student of Art.  I attended the Santa Reparata International School of Art, located in the heart of the "old city" on the site of an academy where Michelanglo studied. Taking my last semester of college in Florence motivated me to move forward with my love of photography and my desire to explore the world. I lived in a centuries old building on the Arno River, just a few steps from the Ponte Vecchio. I shared an apartment for four months with five other American students from various regions of the U.S. We got along great and helped each other get to know Florence first hand. My days consisted of  walking the streets of Florence, meeting the locals,  and discovering the "hidden treasures" as well as the well-known museums, cathedrals and historical plazas.  There is so much history, culture and art in Florence that I feel I only scratched the surface of what this great city has to offer ... and I lived there for four months.  Without question it is one of the best experiences of  my life.  I can’t wait to return.

 

    I was lucky enough to travel around Italy while I was studying in Florence. There are so many amazing cities all around the country. Each one with its own great unique experience. I encourage everyone to explore Italy.