It took me about three months to accept the fact that I was living in Italy and that I needed to adjust. I finally realized, with one month left in the program, how much I love being here. The professors have been amazing and so influential in this experience.

They have taught me not only the curriculum, but also how to love the Italian lifestyle and culture. I am especially grateful for Monica, the academic director, for her guidance and care that she provides for students. Living, studying and traveling in Europe has opened my eyes more than I though it ever could, and I am so very thankful for this experience. I would recommend studying abroad through CEA in Florence for the experience of a lifetime.

Coming abroad was one of the best decisions I've ever made. Living in a different country and embracing a different culture has been very eye opening and has helped me learn and grow as a person. CEA Florence provided a unique learning experience in which

I was able to go on many field trips for my classes and I felt that Cal Poly's "Learn by Doing" philosophy was well implemented in this program.

I was someone who never thought I would credit my time abroad as the best months of my life. I chose to go because I felt like this was my only opportunity to travel extensively. I believed that doing this would quench my thirst for international travel.

I was so wrong. It's been almost a year since I returned from my semester abroad in Florence with CEA. I have never wanted anything more than to rewind time and go back. I credit much of this to CEA and the onsite staff and experience they were able to offer. Unlike many other study abroad organizations, CEA operates out of a small office building in the center of the city. This means classes are small and centrally located. Classmates are all American students going through the same nerve-racking, yet thrilling experience as you. This was so important to me as I was daunted by the idea of feeling lost at a large, foreign university. This also meant that I could arrange to go abroad with my hometown best friend who had taken a different path than me after high school. CEA made it both possible and easy to make these arrangements and ensure we would have courses together and ultimately be roommates. It was a four month long sleepover. The onsite staff with CEA took care of us all as if we were there own children. I always felt safe and supported in anything I wanted to pursue. It was clear that the staff were there because they truly wanted to be, and didn't just fall into these job positions. I was able to have a constant source of information from these locals who offered parental-type care when desired. The onsite staff ensured we experienced authentic, cultural opportunities and planned many of these excursions: basketweaving with tuscan locals, wine tasting in a tuscan vineyard, book binding with a professional artisan, cooking class with an Italian chef etc. I could go on and on about my experience, but nothing will truly convey how wonderful it was.

The best four months of my life! CEA professors and staff made this trip easy and amazing. I was completely immersed in the culture and life of Italy, and I learned so much about myself and the world around me that I could never have learned at home.

Absolutely recommend this program to everyone!