49 Signs You Studied Abroad In Florence

“Home is not a place, it’s a feeling.” After a few months living in Italy, Florence steals your heart and becomes your home. Here are 49 signs that Firenze has become your second home:

1. You’ve mastered walking on cobblestone (or just accepted that you never will).
2. You are well acquainted with the boldest creatures alive…Florentine pigeons.
3. Whenever you get lost, you look for the Duomo.
4. Two Euro wine became your best friend, and the start of many evenings out.
5. A personal goal of yours was to definitively answer the age old question, “What is the best _____ (gelateria, panino place, restaurant) in Florence. You are still searching for that answer.
6. You’ve consumed entirely too much gelato…just kidding, that’s impossible.
7. This man has handed you a panino.
8. A travel company has handed (or tried to hand you) a flyer.
9. You purchased (or were given) a rose from one of the rose guys.
10. Your addiction to coffee has become a very real thing.
11. And you’ve even learned to enjoy espresso.
12. You practiced your Italian. At the very least you can now order a meal.
13. You formed an educated opinion about which aperitivo place is best…even though a few months ago you had no idea what aperitivo was.
14. After traveling to Rome, Siena, Venice, and/or Milan, you still insist that Florence is the best.
15. You’ve answered the question “Did you find an Italian boy/girl friend yet?” at least 1,000 times.
16. You spent an afternoon wandering through the Boboli gardens and felt relieved to see trees again.
17. You took a LOT of photos with some famous old bridge
    

    #pontevecchio

18. You’ve ordered the wrong item off a menu (because, you know…Italian) and weren’t even mad because it was still delicious.
19. After many visits, you finally got a heart shape pizza at Gusta’s and were so excited you immediately Instagrammed it.
20. You went shopping for souvenirs and wound up buying something leather for everyone on your list.
21. Secret bakery has become your go to after the bars snack.
22. One time you accidentally purchased aqua frizzante.
23. You’ve become a bandwagon Fiorentina fan. Forza viola!
24. It only took friends back home like a month to get over your Instagrams/Facebook posts/snapchats…sorry I’m in Europe and EVERYTHING is photographable.
25. You worried about gaining the “study abroad 15” but then got over it because PASTA.
26. You tried spritz, limoncello, and/or prosecco…purely to experience Italian culture.
27. One day you broke down and went to McDonald’s because you can only handle so much pizza.
28. You’re now a fan of a street musician and know exactly when and where to find them playing.
29. You rode a vespa…
30. …or nearly got hit by one.
31. You’ve seriously contemplated whacking a selfie stick salesman with his selfie stick.
32. You took full advantage of the lack of “open container” laws in Florence.
33. You’ve gotten super lost and didn’t even mind it because you learned there is no such thing as “late” in Italy.
34. The proudest moment you had abroad was the day you gave an Italian directions.
35. You went wine tasting in Chianti and now feel like a wine connoisseur.
    

    You hold the stem of the glass…everyone knows that.

36. Conad during “rush hour” became your worst nightmare. Can I just buy my bananas and leave?!
37. You hate navigating through all of the crowds of tourists (even though you hate to admit that you are one).
38. You have either been catcalled, or witnessed one of your girl friends being catcalled. “Ciao, bella!”
39. You have a favorite street artist.
    

    Red balloons will forever remind you of Florence.

40. You learned that street signs, crosswalks, and organized lines do not matter in Italy, and are now a professional jaywalker.
41. You shared a bistecca Fiorentina with friends. It may have been super expensive, but it was worth it.
42. You watched the sun set from the Piazzale Michaelangelo, declaring that it was the best view in all of Florence
    
43. …Only to climb the 414 steps to the top of the Duomo’s campanile and immediately feel conflicted over which is better.
44. One time you got homesick but then you remembered you are having the time of your life in Florence.
45. You (or someone you know) fell victim to the notorious pickpockets.
46. You know which side of the Arno is “the other side of the river”.
47. You’ve gotten in at least one serious debate over where to find the best gelato.
    

    Its obviously Gelateria dei Neri.

48. A friend or relative visited and you became an instant Florence expert.
49. You fell in love with Florence, made unforgettable memories, lasting friendships, and cannot wait to return to this enchanting city that became your home and stole a piece of your heart.

You might also like…

• Dear Florence, I Love You: A Letter To My Study Abroad Home
• The Ultimate Florence Study Abroad Bucket List: 50 Things To Do Before You Leave
• 39 Reasons You’ll Fall In Love With Florence And Never Want To Leave

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