What I Learned While Studying Fashion in Florence
Studying abroad in Florence was something I was excited about because it gave me the opportunity to combine two things I wanted to experience: studying fashion in another country and traveling. I expected to learn about Italian fashion, visit beautiful places, and make memories, but I did not realize how much this experience would also teach me about independence, adaptability, and myself.
Our first day in Florence, marking the beginning of my study abroad experience.
One of my favorite parts of studying abroad was being able to learn about fashion in a country that has such a strong connection to the industry. Being a fashion student in Florence meant that what I was learning did not always stay inside the classroom. I could see fashion, visual merchandising, architecture, art, and design throughout the city.
Enjoying a boat ride through Florence and taking in the city from a completely different perspective.
One experience that stood out was visiting the FLY fashion store for a retail management assignment. I had to observe the store's layout, merchandise, visual merchandising, and retail strategy and then create a video analyzing what I saw. I received a 100 on the assignment, and my professor showed my video to the class as an example. That experience gave me more confidence in my ability to take something I observe and turn it into a creative and organized concept.
The FLY fashion store in Florence, where I completed a retail management assignment analyzing visual merchandising, store layout, and retail strategy.
Visiting the Gucci Museum in Florence allowed me to experience Italian fashion history and design outside of the classroom.
Some of my biggest lessons, however, happened outside of the classroom. During my time abroad, I traveled throughout Italy and visited places such as Venice, Milan, Cinque Terre, the Amalfi Coast, Pisa, and Rome. Seeing places that I had previously only seen online was incredible, but traveling also taught me that the reality behind the pictures is not always glamorous.
Exploring Lake Como, one of the many beautiful destinations I had the opportunity to experience while traveling throughout Italy.
Visiting the Colosseum in Rome and getting to experience one of Italy’s most famous historical landmarks in person.
I had to learn how to navigate unfamiliar train and bus systems, understand schedules, deal with delays and unexpected changes, communicate through occasional language barriers, and make decisions when things did not go according to plan. There were definitely moments when I was tired, frustrated, homesick, or completely ready to be back in an environment that felt familiar.
Those moments ended up being an important part of my experience. Living abroad taught me that I am more adaptable than I realized. At the beginning of the summer, navigating an unfamiliar transportation system or traveling somewhere new could feel intimidating. Eventually, figuring things out became part of my normal routine.
Photo booth pictures with friends I made while abroad. Some of my favorite memories came from the simple moments we shared together.
I also learned that studying abroad does not mean you have to enjoy every single moment or say yes to every experience. Sometimes I needed to rest, take time for myself, or choose not to do something. Learning to listen to myself and set boundaries was another form of independence that I did not expect to develop while abroad.
Living in Florence also gave me a greater appreciation for experiencing another culture beyond being a tourist. Italy's connection to fashion, art, architecture, food, and history is visible almost everywhere. Spending an extended amount of time here allowed me to observe both traditional Italian culture and the ways younger generations are bringing modern influences into it.
The Duomo became one of the most recognizable parts of my everyday surroundings and a reminder of the history and architecture that make Florence unique.
As my time in Florence comes to an end, I know I am leaving differently than I arrived. I came to Italy wanting to study fashion, travel, experience another culture, and create memories. I am leaving more independent, confident, adaptable, and aware of what I am capable of.
Florence gave me beautiful pictures and unforgettable experiences, but more importantly, it gave me opportunities to grow. I learned that some of the most meaningful parts of studying abroad happen when everything does not go according to plan. Those are the moments that showed me I could figure things out, adjust, and keep going.
I came to Florence as a fashion student looking for a new experience, and I am leaving knowing myself a little better than I did before.
This post was written by Jaeleigh Buckhannon, a student at North Carolina A&T State University who studied abroad in Florence, Italy.
