Florence, study abroad mecca

During the spring semester of my junior year of college I did a study abroad program with NYU in Florence, Italy. It was the best 5 months of my life and I made amazing friends there. Florence itself is overrun with American study abroad students, which can get a little annoying. Most people don't go there to only meet Americans... But once you get past all the students and the thousands of tourists crammed into this tiny city you really start to feel the charm of La Bella Vita. The winding streets open up into magnificent piazzas filled with statues, fountains and carousels of all things. In Florence the smaller the better, and one of the best restaurants there Trattoria Mario, was so small that they would sometimes seat you at the same table as strangers. By the end of the meal you would be the best of friends and make plans to meet up sometime soon. It was the most relaxed I think I have ever been, and I can't seem to remember ever feeling stressed out about anything during those 5 months. The Italian way of life suited me just fine and I enjoyed reading a book in one of the many outdoor cafes while sipping a glass of wine and eating the lightest cheesecake I have ever tasted. Italy seems to have the art of living life down to a science. They know the important things (food, wine and good company) and the things that one does only to survive (work). It was a magical 5 months, and I will share more of my Italian adventures soon.