Ciao from Florence! A CCI Update from 6,000 Miles Away

Picture courtesy of Estefania Rosas. I’m standing next to one of Florence’s most popular wine windows, just by the Ponte Vecchio! There are over 200 of these historic wine windows scattered across the city. During medieval times, the bubonic plague devastated Florence, and these small windows offered a safe way for shopkeepers to sell wine and food with minimal contact.

Hi everyone! It feels like a lifetime ago since I last wrote blogs for the CCI Collective, back when my life revolved around cozy Orange County cafes and the warmth of a college town. Fast forward a bit, and I’ve traded in that familiar routine for cobblestone streets, Renaissance architecture, and some of the best pasta I've ever had in my life.

Yes, I’ve officially swapped Orange for Florence, a charming little city where everything is walkable, dinners stretch into long, laughter filled nights, and the Italian way of life has completely reprogrammed my internal clock.

A few months into my study abroad adventure, I’ve learned more than just how to pronounce “grazie” with the right flair. I’ve started to see how deeply intertwined culture and the creative economy are and how those subtle, everyday moments in Florence can teach you more than any textbook ever could.

Photo courtesy of Estefania Rosas, taken in the heart of the city at Piazza del Duomo with my roommate, Mina. I'm soaking in the vibrant Florentine nightlife, where it’s common to go out on Wednesdays.

Why Florence? Why AIFS?

Let’s rewind a bit. Why did I choose the AIFS Florence program out of all the incredible options Chapman offers? Simple: I wanted something different, something that felt both new and slightly familiar. Already fluent in Spanish, I was looking for a culture that would challenge me but still feel warm and welcoming. Enter: Italy.

At the time of applying, I didn’t know anyone else joining the program, and honestly, that was part of the appeal. I didn’t come abroad to play it safe. I came to push myself, immerse in a new culture, eat way too much gelato, and figure things out as I go.

Photo courtesy of Estefania Rosas. As part of my program, we’re offered optional cooking classes, and here I am making authentic Italian pasta from scratch!

Florence was an easy yes. It’s not a sprawling metropolis like Rome or Milan, but that’s exactly what I loved about it. Florence feels like you’re living inside a museum. Every corner is filled with art, history, and soul. Plus, with Italy’s amazing train system, cities like Rome, Bologna, and Venice are just a short ride away, perfect for weekend trips and spontaneous adventures.

University Life Florentine Edition

Let’s talk about school. University life in Florence, at least through AIFS, is very different from Chapman. 

One of my biggest goals (besides learning Italian and perfecting my accent) was to really tap into the culture. And while it’s definitely come with challenges such as language barriers and culture shock, it’s been surprisingly easy to settle in.

Florentine life is built on strong cultural values, and you feel that everywhere, from the way people greet each other to how they spend their time. It’s a city that manages to stay traditional while still feeling creative and forward thinking.

As much as I like to pretend I’m a local, I still get humbled pretty quickly anytime I step outside the Florence bubble. There’s always more to learn, more to explore, and more to experience which, honestly, is exactly why I came here in the first place.

Photo courtesy of Estefania Rosas. This was taken on a typical street in Florence, showcasing the city’s stunning architecture and giving you a glimpse of what it looks like.

A CCI-Focused Study Abroad Experience

When building my class schedule, I knew I wanted courses that aligned with my love for the Creative and Cultural Industries (CCI), but also ones that would let me live those experiences, not just read about them.

One of my favorites? Museums of Florence. It’s half lecture, half real world exploration. One day we’re in the classroom; the next, we’re standing inside historic museums learning how they were built, who built them, and the cultural forces behind their existence. 

Another standout is Italian Luxury Fashion. This class dives into how luxury fashion influences everything, from fast fashion to color trends to cultural identity. In Italy, fashion isn’t just an industry, it’s part of the DNA. And seeing how that intersects with other creative sectors has been eye opening.

Pictured here, I'm enjoying the best pizza in Florence at "Gusta Pizza." On any given day, there’s a line wrapped around the block, as pretty much everyone goes there. Since food is considered a gift and something to be savored, you might find yourself waiting over an hour to enjoy this delicious treasure.

CCI in Florence

Trying to unpack every cultural and creative industry in Italy would take days. So for now, I’m zooming in on two of Florence’s biggest players: art and food.

Creative sectors in Italy aren’t just a charming backdrop, they’re a powerful economic engine. In fact, “creative industries make up around 6% of Italy’s GDP and employ over 1.5 million people.” And trust me, once you’re walking the cobblestone streets of Florence, surrounded by Renaissance masterpieces and indulging in world-class cuisine, it’s easy to see why.

Living and studying in a city where art is literally under your feet and food is practically a sacred ritual has changed how I understand CCI, not just as an academic concept, but as something you can feel, taste, and live every single day. It’s given me a deeper appreciation for cultural exchange and has genuinely shaped me, not only as a student, but as a more curious, connected, and conscious human being.

Photo by Estefania Rosas. This artwork is displayed inside Santa Croce, Florence’s most prominent church, and I captured this during a class field trip.

Art

Art in Italy, especially in Florence, isn’t just admired, it’s revered. This city isn’t just a backdrop for Renaissance art, it’s the epicenter. Florence takes immense pride in preserving its artistic legacy, going above and beyond to maintain, restore, and even replicate iconic works to protect their original form. Here, art is sacred, and so is its preservation.

At the heart of the city (what I lovingly call my North Star) is the Piazza del Duomo, home to the iconic cathedral now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Duomo isn’t just a marvel of architecture, it’s a symbol of spiritual significance for Catholics, a historic seat of the Archbishop of Florence, and a glowing tribute to over 600 years of rich cultural heritage. It stands tall as a reminder of Florence’s artistry, its medieval roots, and the bold creative spirit that fueled the 14th century.

But the beauty of Florence is that you don’t have to go far to feel its artistic soul, it’s quite literally on every corner. Frescoes, sculptures, intricate facades… you name it. The city itself feels like an open air museum. One minute, you’re walking past the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, the first great basilica in Florence (which shares its name with the main train station), and the next, you’re standing in awe of Santa Croce, the city’s main church, each a testament to Florence’s artistic and spiritual legacy in Western culture.

Thanks to my class excursions, I’ve come to see how deeply intertwined art and religion are here. Many of these masterpieces were commissioned by the wealthy, not just to show off their piety, but to quite literally place themselves at the center of history and beauty. So when you pause and really take it all in, you start to realize: in Florence, art doesn’t just decorate the city, it defines it.

Food 

Photo by Estefania Rosas. Pictured here is my all time favorite dessert, tiramisu. It’s a joy to enjoy wherever it’s served, and it’s always beautifully presented.

You might be wondering, how can food possibly be considered a CCI? Well, in Italy, food isn’t just sustenance. It’s a cultural ritual, an identity, a form of storytelling passed down through generations. Here, cuisine is stitched into the very DNA of daily life where every dish is a tradition. In Italy, you’re never rushed to order or asked if you’re “still working on that.” In fact, you’ll be encouraged to take your time. Eating here is treated as a luxury, not a task, it is an essential pleasure of life, not something squeezed between meetings.

My program even makes this a part of our experience: we have a fantastic meal plan that allows us to dine at different local restaurants every night using meal vouchers. It’s not just eating, it’s immersive research. While there are a few options beyond Italian cuisine there’s no question that traditional Italian is the star of the show.

Florence alone welcomes over 16 million visitors a year, many of whom come chasing the romance of Italian life, and the food plays a huge part in that. As The Florentine puts it, “Cultural life is centred on the trattorie, osterie and enoteche, and the traditional Tuscan food they serve: bistecca alla Fiorentina, pappa al pomodoro, crostini, Chianti wine, and olio nuovo.” Walk around for ten minutes and you’ll see what they mean, trattorias and osterias line every street, inviting people to gather, linger, and connect over a good meal.

Food here isn’t just about flavor. It’s about heritage. Tuscan cuisine is proudly simple, fresh ingredients, homemade recipes, and time honored preparation methods passed down like traditions. In contrast to the fast paced, convenience heavy culture of the U.S., food in Florence feels almost sacred.

But as with any cultural tradition, things are shifting. Globalization and mass tourism have started to influence Florence’s food scene and cultural identity. While the city still fiercely protects its art and architecture, the influx of international cuisine and widespread English speaking locals reflect a slow transformation. What we recognize today as “authentic Italian cuisine” might look quite different in a few years. For now, though, I’m savoring every bite and every story that comes with it. Because in Florence, food isn’t just culture, it’s a legacy you can taste.

Photo courtesy of Estefania Rosas. I’m in my favorite city in the world, Rome, as part of a class field trip. I’m grinning from ear to ear because I couldn’t be happier to be in this city, which is so wonderfully different from Florence.

I’m only halfway through my study abroad journey, and I still feel like I’m learning something new every single day. I highly recommend this experience to anyone looking to step outside their comfort zone and get a real taste of life in a country that’s wildly different from their own.

Florence is a city bursting with Italian culture, charm, and endless opportunities for adventure, it’s truly been such an engaging abroad experience. Getting to explore CCIs from a firsthand perspective is something I’ll always hold close to my heart, especially since my classes let us dive in headfirst in the best ways.

Catch you later, Florence, you’ll definitely be seeing me again soon! Ciao!