During our first two days in Florence, our class visited Palazzo Pitti (Pitti Palace), the former residence of the Medici family and current home to their vast collections of art, as well as the Uffizi Gallery, which features Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus” and “Primavera” among other famous works. One highlight of Pitti Palace was the Costume Gallery, which displays Italian fashion through the centuries. I especially liked two wedding gowns from the 19th century — elegantly simple at first glance, but clearly made with incredible detail and care when viewed up close. They held stories in their silk folds, winding embroidery, and the way they stood under the glowing lights.

Palazzo Pitti was a unique museum experience, and I enjoyed — although I got worn out — exploring the Uffizi Gallery’s many rooms and long hallways. Still, the stand-out art piece of the trip for me was in the Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze. Yes, it was Michelangelo’s “David.” The statue stands at the end of a hallway under a domed roof, casual and assured even from a distance, with plenty of room to walk all the way around. At first, I was taken aback by “David’s” size. I knew the statue was big, yet in photos, it looks average human-sized. I took it piece by piece, from the muscular limbs of so many Renaissance statues, to the incredibly large hands and feet, to the coiled locks of hair. Famous things are sometimes overrated, but in this case, I found “David” to be remarkable. There was just something about seeing, finally, this statue that I have heard and learned about since I was little in person.

I will forever be glad for this opportunity to absorb Italian language, food, history, art, and beauty. Studying abroad truly is a life-changing experience.