Hello again! My name is Isabelle Low, and last semester I studied abroad at Accademia Italiana in Florence, Italy. I’m a senior at GW studying English! I wanted to take a moment to reflect on my experiences abroad now that I’m back in the US.
Reverse culture shock is real! Ever since I’ve been back, I keep thinking about how things were different in Italy, which is what I experienced when I first arrived in Florence. I miss the coffee, the culture, the GELATO! But now that I’m somewhat removed from the experience, I appreciate it so much more. Toward the end, knowing it was all ending, I made the most of my time left while still being excited to go back home and see my family for a few weeks. I hit all of my favorite spots for the last time with the friends I made there, which was really special. I got my final pictures in front of the Duomo, ate my final sandwich from Pino’s, and walked my final walk across the Ponte Vecchio. Florence will always be so special to me.
For my birthday, my grandmother got me a charm bracelet with the flags of every country I visited while studying abroad. When I put it on in the mornings, it’s a daily reminder of every amazing thing I got to experience last fall! Here are the highlights: I went zip lining in Croatia, I visited one of my friends in London and another in Paris, WALKED up the Eiffel Tower (something I will never stop telling people about), attended Mass at the Vatican held by Pope Leo, went swimming along the Amalfi Coast, sledded down the Swiss Alps in Interlaken, took solo day trips around Italy, shared Florence with visiting friends, saw so many amazing historical moments, and made memories of my own that maybe no one will remember in 20 years, but the fact that they were even a possibility for me is all that matters.
If anyone is on the fence about studying abroad, just do it! You will never understand how much bigger the world is outside of your hometown or college town without exploring the rest of the world. Studying abroad has, although it’s a cliche, truly expanded my horizons. I was born in a small city in Arkansas where most people hardly leave the state, let alone the country. I always knew I wanted more than that for myself, but it became a reality last semester. I’m already saving every penny I can in order to go back!
Isabelle Low
Fall 2025
Semester in Florence - Accademia Italiana
Columbian College of Arts and Science
English Major