Studying abroad tends to normalize this culture of “go, go, go,” since there is a large pressure on being sure to soak up every second of the experience. Among peers and through social media, expectations are set high as people observe each other living the planes, trains, and automobiles lifestyle as they hop from country to country. What people don’t show however, is that this lifestyle is—though fun—rather exhausting, physically, mentally, and even emotionally. It is important to prioritize wellness in many forms, which is why after an adventurous spring break and first half of the semester, I decided to enjoy a slow weekend in my host city of Florence, Italy, where I really took the time to soak up the environment, prioritize wellness, and of course try to remain sustainable as possible. 

My weekend started on a soft note, where I allowed myself for the first time in what felt like forever to sleep and let my body rest. On this specific weekend, all of my roommates were away on trips, so I had the pleasure of allowing myself to enjoy not only my own company but the world around me. One of the first things I decided to do on my weekend off was to check out the public markets and secondhand stores Florence has to offer, which are not only plentiful but fairly affordable. As I headed on my morning walk by the Arno River, I passed a fruit and vegetable stand, where I decided to purchase a Pink Lady apple for only €1.50. If you are an apple lover such as myself, it is good to note that Florence does not really have Honeycrisps, which are my go-tos, so I find Pink Ladies to be second-best and nearly just as good. 

Sometimes the juiciness of a fresh apple just can’t be beat. And look at that red color! I always know I am off to a great start to the day when it begins with fresh fruit.  

Florence, being the walkable city that it is and given its smaller size, means that you can pretty much go to any point in the city and be roughly a twenty-minute walk away from any given place. So, as I strolled along the river to take in the sights and remember to just breathe, I decided to check out Humana Vintage, which is a store located in the city center of Via delle Belle Donne, not too far from Santa Maria Novella. The store is actually connected to a chain of Italian sustainable, charity-driven secondhand clothing that was founded in order to promote a more “circular economy,” according to their mission. The store offered many items, including funky tops, jeans, skirts, belts, and boots, for people of all genders. 80s music played over the speaker and I remember telling myself just how cool the place felt. It was definitely a store I recommend to those who value both style and sustainability. 

This is the store, Humana Vintage, a chain that prioritizes sustainability and offers lots of cute clothes for an affordable price.  

My weekend also included a thorough exploration of a market I had been dying to check out for weeks. I finally made it to the Piazza Santo Spirito Flea Market, which provides a series of vendors who sell everything from jewelry to clothing to produce. I ended up making a few purchases of my own, which consisted of a new silver necklace and a reversible hand-made shirt, which was on sale for fifteen euros and came with a free scarf! It was a great success. I spent the rest of my afternoon perched on the fountain in the middle of the Piazza where I journaled and drew a little bit in my notebook, enjoying the fresh air, the sound of the people talking and the pigeons cooing. 

The Piazza Santo Spirito Flea Market is filled with fresh produce, all of which is locally grown by Tuscan farmers, and emphasizes the value in farm-to-table eating.  

The clothing and jewelry selection at Santo Spirito market was small but mighty, and its offers included handmade Italian garments, T-shirts, rings, necklaces and even tables of clothes offered for only one euro! A great place to find sweet pieces at a low cost.  

Food is a huge aspect of study abroad that I think can oftentimes get overlooked in the planning and budgeting aspect. I set aside roughly $50 a week to spend on groceries and try to prioritize eating home-cooked meals as much as possible, in order to remain within my budget. However, on my way back to my apartment over my wellness weekend, I stopped at a local grocery store, Conad City (chains of this store can be found sprinkled throughout Italy), and bought some ingredients to make homemade guacamole, which I paired with some tortilla chips. I will say I have never had an avocado like the ones offered in Italy, so after mashing one up, and adding some fresh lemon, garlic, cherry tomatoes, and a little salt and pepper, I had made the perfect snack, which also served as a bit of dinner. With the same ingredients, I was even able to make avocado toast for the next morning, having multiple meals in different days for the price of only a few ingredients! Taking the time to make your own meals, eat whole foods, and take time to truly relax is an aspect of life that should never be overlooked, even when abroad!  

I ended my weekend by enjoying the sunset, taking in the slow descent of an orange sun and the rise of a thin crescent moon. Sometimes even the smallest moments can make a lasting impact. 

Host cities truly offer so much and it is important to take necessary time off in order to fully enjoy them, and that is something I am truly grateful my slow study abroad weekend was able to teach me.