First Days in Florence  

After a 12-hour travel day combined with a mere 1 hour of sleep, it felt surreal to finally arrive at my apartment in Florence. I was grateful for the few days I had to get settled before beginning my internship, at Tiche, a boutique outside the main square in Florence. Discovering the streets, adjusting to the city's pace, and modifying the time difference during those initial days was a mixture of excitement and a sense of being a little overwhelmed.  

I was able to have an amazing first few days in Florence. I was gifted with 6 amazing roommates, and spent the week exploring with them, and going to CEA CAPA orientations, where we met the rest of the Summer 2025 Intern class. Immediately, we were all great friends, and little did we know we’d spend the whole summer, 15 of us, traveling and making the most of our experience together.  

When I arrived at my apartment in Florence after a long day of travel 

Pre-Internship Jitters  

Although exploring was enjoyable, I couldn't get rid of the nervousness about starting work the next week. It can be intimidating to start a new job, but this felt more intense. Not only was I beginning a new job, but I was doing it in a foreign place where I didn't speak the language. I was aware that I would be the only employee who did not speak Italian, and I kept that thought in the back of my mind. I kept speculating about how much of a barrier that would be, whether it would hinder my ability to interact with others or cause me to lag in my attempts to keep up.  

However, I also reminded myself that pushing myself, even when it wasn't entirely comfortable, was a big part of the reason I traveled overseas. Finding the grocery store, figuring out how to order coffee without making a scene, and getting lost a few times (and trying not to freak out over it) were all part of those first few days. Although it wasn't glamorous, it allowed me to get used to something entirely different.  

My first night out in Florence 

Working Days  

From the beginning, my boss was fantastic. She tried to ensure that we understood one another, even though my Italian was essentially nonexistent and her English wasn't flawless. She made it clear that she wanted me to succeed, was patient, and gave clear explanations. It was not long before my nerves subsided, and I began to genuinely enjoy my job.  

The flexibility of my schedule also had a significant impact. I was able to work flexible hours and occasionally even work from home instead of being confined to a desk all day. I had never experienced such independence before, and to be honest, it only deepened my passion for my work. On the days I worked from home, I would locate a peaceful area in a garden close to my apartment and work there one day a week while enjoying some pastries and coffee.  

My time working in the Tiche store was eye-opening to my fashion-focused mind. I was able to work alongside my boss who makes all the store’s clothing by hand and provides her opinions on fabrics and styling options. I also had the privilege of going fabric shopping in a town outside of Florence, where I was able to see a large warehouse filled with recycled designer fabrics and assist my boss in choosing the fabrics for an upcoming line.  

Modeling some of the new pieces for the brand's website was one of the most interesting things my boss asked me to do. I had never done modeling before, so I wasn't sure what to anticipate at first, but she clarified that it wasn't about being a "model" in the conventional sense. She wanted to walk me through every step of the process, from designing a product to preparing it for online sales.  

Debuting my non-existent modeling career in new collection pieces for Tiche 

I found it to be one of the most enjoyable aspects of the internship. After styling the ensembles together, we would take pictures. I got to see firsthand how much care and attention to detail goes into even the most basic product photos, even though the team was small and very casual. She showed me how to edit the pictures after the shoots, which included clearing out the backgrounds, adjusting the lighting, and making sure the clothes looked just like they did in real life. Strong visuals could make or break a customer's connection with a piece, and I discovered how crucial those small edits were for marketing and the website.  

I have a deeper respect for all that goes into creating a fashion brand now that I've seen both sides. Creating beautiful clothing was only one aspect of it; another was using each image, post, and small detail to tell a story. Being trusted to assist with that gave me the impression that I was doing more than simply crossing things off a to-do list.  

Can't complain when this is my WFH setup! 

Some of my friends enjoying our first time visiting Piazzale Michelangelo- the hike is worth it! 

A Step Towards My Future in Global Fashion  

When I reflect on my time at Tiche, I genuinely believe it was one of the most influential experiences that shaped my future profession. Nothing I could have learned in a classroom or from a textbook could have prepared me for practical exposure to the global fashion industry. From product development to marketing to getting those pieces in front of the right customers, I witnessed firsthand how a brand handles everything. The process was about learning how to interact with people globally, not just about trends or the newest collection.  

Being a part of a company that operated internationally and had a presence in Italy gave me a unique perspective on how global fashion actually functions. I got to see firsthand how market trends, consumer preferences, and cultural quirks all influence a brand's trajectory. In addition to broadening my knowledge of fashion, that exposure has stoked my enthusiasm for the countless opportunities the global fashion industry presents.  

In ways I never would have thought possible, my internship at Tiche has prepared me for opportunities in the future. 

 I'm confident that the abilities I acquired, which range from product styling and photo editing to comprehending international marketing tactics, will be helpful in whatever I do going forward. Beyond the technical aspects, though, it has given me a clear goal-I want to work in the international fashion industry. The range of opportunities it offers, from collaborating with diverse teams to developing products that could be sold in a wide range of markets, is really exciting. This experience supported my long-held belief that fashion is about more than just what you wear; it's about how you use it to interact with people despite cultural differences.