When I first stepped into the Accademia Europea di Firenze (AEF), I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. I knew I would be studying in a new city, meeting new people, and navigating unfamiliar routines, but I had no idea how much this experience would shape the way I see myself and the world around me. Looking back now, my time at AEF was far more than an academic programme; it was a period of personal expansion, self-reflection, and genuine growth.

A typical day as an AEF student in Florence begins quietly, with the soft morning light settling over the city as I make my way to school for 9am Italian class. There’s something about walking through Florence that already puts you in the right mindset for learning a new language. The streets feel calm at that hour, the tourists haven’t fully woken up yet, and the cafés are just opening their doors. By the time I reach class, I’m somewhere between awake and still shaking off sleep, but Italian grammar waits for no one.

There are places you visit, and places that become a part of you. For me, Accademia Europea di Firenze (AEF) very quickly became the latter. When I arrived in Florence, I expected to learn Italian, experience the city, and maybe meet a few new people. What I didn’t expect was to find myself woven into a constantly changing, intergenerational community that felt more like a family than a school.

Every day in Florence feels like stepping into a painting that’s constantly moving, filled with sound, colour, and the scent of espresso drifting through the air. I came to Italy to study at the Accademia Europea di Firenze (AEF), hoping to improve my Italian and immerse myself in a new culture. What I didn’t expect was how quickly Florence would start to feel like home.

The Accademia Europea di Firenze (AEF) is proud to announce a new step in its commitment to global education and cultural exchange through a dynamic partnership with Pistoia Basket 2000 and Elon University (North Carolina, USA). This collaboration builds upon AEF’s established relationship with Elon University, as its Centre Abroad in Italy, further expanding opportunities for international students to experience the intersection of sport, culture, and academic learning in Florence.