My name is Olivia Roth, and I have spent the last three weeks eating gelato and frolicking around Florence, Italy. The Italian culture is rich in art, music, food and history. I got to be immersed in it while also advancing my knowledge toward my degree, nursing BSN. Let me walk you through my three-week experience in the heart of Tuscany.

Week One

When I got off the train in Florence, my first stop was to try world-renowned pasta… and it lived up to its reputation. This was the first of many carb binges I would indulge in. The course I was taking was Nursing Ethics. In this class, we covered how ethical principles are applicable in controversial medical situations. For some background: Italy has a universal healthcare system, meaning everyone is provided free healthcare. They also have different policies and laws surrounding women’s health, reproductive health, LGBTQ+ care, etc. Being here gave us students an up-close opportunity to compare the laws and ethics in the United States versus Italy.

Outside of class each day we shopped, explored the city, ate amazing food and got familiar with the many narrow roads in Florence. Our favorite study spot was the rose garden in Piazzale Michelangelo. We would bring snacks and have a picnic while studying in the shade. Although our literacy in Italian was limited, we found out that any restaurant that started with “trattoria” or “osteria” had amazing pizza and pasta.

On the weekend, we took a day trip to the city of Lucca. The city has fortified walls surrounding it from ancient wartimes. We spent about 4 hours on bikes riding on top of the walls and taking in the scenery below. The last time I got on a bike was 5^th grade, so it was quite the test of skill. The city has beautiful churches that hold so much history. We ate lunch and explored the Anfiteatro (amphitheater) which is Lucca’s equivalent of Rome’s Colosseum. They had many cute little markets with pottery, fresh food, jewelry and art that we browsed.

Week Two

Class this week consisted of quizzes, guest speakers, long lectures and substantial conversation. We found our gelato hidden gem in a place called Grom. I am sadly not exaggerating when I say I went every day until the end of our program. That Friday was the Italian holiday, Fiesta della Repubblica, so naturally we fled the crowds to Zurich, Switzerland. Describing the city as breathtaking is an understatement. The fresh mountain breeze combined with the crystal blue lake water was the reset button I needed. We day-tripped to Interlaken and Grindelwald, where we rode the gondola up the mountain and did the cliff walk. The views were so beautiful it was hard to believe they were real. After laying in the park for hours reading and taking a plunge in the lake, we headed back to Florence for our last week of class.

Week Three

There was a somber mood in class this week. Not only was it our final few days, but we were also wrapping up the course with presentations, debates and papers. We capitalized on each moment to check things off our bucket list knowing it was our last chance. One night, we hiked up to San Michelangelo and danced in the street to “Ciao Bella” during sunset. The following night we got aperitivo at the rooftop View on Art, with picture-perfect views of the Duomo. We closed out our last day of class with a celebratory lunch.            

Being in Florence has truly been a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I have made memories that will stick with me forever and met people who are now my best friends. Italy has so much to offer and having the privilege of living here has provided me the space for personal growth. I am heading back to the States with core memories, Italian phrases, academic knowledge, good friends and a whole lot of souvenirs. I am beyond grateful to Mizzou Nursing, my professors, CEA/CAPA, Mizzou study abroad and anyone else who made my dreams a reality this summer! Ciao!

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Learn more about this blogger’s study abroad program: Nursing Ethics in Italy