This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Kent State chapter.

Let’s face it—everyone knows Kent State University has an impeccable fashion school. With nationally ranked programs, as well as its many opportunities abroad, it’s no wonder why the school is respected in the fashion industry.

Last week, Her Campus showed three fashion students’ perspectives of Kent State’s New York City program. This week, we will give you a small glimpse into life overseas with Kent State fashion students who have experienced (or are currently experiencing) Europe.

Let’s dive into our next adventure with Florence, Italy: the elegant, pasta-filled, art-inspired whirlwind of a city. We spoke with two fashion students who participated in the program for an entire semester just this past year, and one who is currently having her own Italian adventure. Excited and eager to share their stories with Her Campus, here’s what they had to say about their time in Florence.

Lydia Dallas (above) is in London on a class trip while studying abroad this past fall.

Meet Lydia Dallas, 21, a senior fashion design major with a minor in marketing. She completed the program last fall.

Her Campus: When did you participate in the Florence program?

Lydia Dallas: I was there for four months; I left in August and came back in December.

HC: How many classes did you take while studying abroad?

LD: Studio, Italian, Italian Fashion and Culture, and Field Stud. They’re really good with working with your schedule because they encourage you to travel and see the culture and learn about the history around you.

HC: What kind of places did you visit while in Italy?

LD: Well, we did some trips with school. We went to Paris, London, Milan, Como and Sienna. On my own, with the help of some travel companies, I went to Pompeii and Capri, Cinque Terri, Venice and Prague. I also went to Oktoberfest and I saw Rome as well! We did a lot of stuff in Italy, but you have the freedom to do whatever you want once you are out in Europe.

HC: What are some pros and cons of Florence?

LD: The biggest pro is just the experience as a whole. I would recommend it to anyone, and it’s the best decision I’ve ever made. The trip is so different from here, I’ve always loved art history and everywhere you go in Florence looks exactly like the textbooks because it’s all so old and well preserved! Learning about the fashion industry there is such a learning experience, taking field trips to the Gucci museum and the Ferragamo, these huge brands that got started over in Italy, you get to see a different side of the fashion industry. The cons include the costs and the exchange rate. I thought the language barrier would be more of a con but most places that students were visiting there were English speakers. Other cons I noticed were students getting homesick, but I’m an out of state student so it doesn’t bother me as much. I’m from Louisville, Kentucky.

Lydia Dallas attends Premiere Vision the biggest textile trade show while she visits Paris during her study abroad experience.

HC: Name your favorite experience abroad.

LD: When we went to Paris, we got to see Premiere Vision. It’s the biggest textile trade show in the world. We got to do that and see these exhibits that you wouldn’t really get to see as an average person, normally you need to be invited or book the event months before. Because we were students with out schools we were allowed to have access to these places. We also got to visit and see huge fabric warehouses because our teachers used to be in the industry and work for these companies so that was one of the coolest experiences I had while abroad.

HC: What advice do you have for students who are about to go abroad?

LD: Pack less then you think you need. You buy stuff while you’re out there and I brought way too much there to begin with. I had clothes there I didn’t wear once the entire semester, but also make sure to bring and wear layers! Be selective with your clothing; take things that you can wear and mix easily with other items. That’s my biggest tip. Also carry SOME cash on you; a lot of places don’t take credit cards. Plus, you don’t need the extra fees to use your credit card. My phone was also stolen while I was there so my other tip is watch out for pick pocketers, for example, if you have across body bag wear the bag in front of you because they can just unzip your bag behind you and take whatever is inside without you noticing.

HC: How do you think this experience will further your resume/career in the future?

LD: Studying abroad is becoming so much more normal for people. I know after I studied abroad I read an article about how companies are more appealed to students who have the expereience of studying in a foreign country. You gain adaptation skills because you are adjusting to a new environment and employers like to see you adjust well to a new job. Also, with fashion you learn so much about the industry abroad that you wouldn’t learn here in the US, so it’s valuable getting that experience overseas.

Kent State Student, Jamie Ferry, poses in front of a very scenic view of Florence, Italy.

Next, let us introduce you to Jamie Ferry, 21, a senior fashion merchandising major with a minor in pubic relations. She completed the program this past spring.

Her Campus: When did you participate in the Florence program?

Jamie Ferry: I went this last semester so I left this past January and then I came back in May!

HC: Can you tell us about some of the places you visited?

JF: I ended up visiting nine countries, 32 cities, and 2 continents! It was so much fun! I made it to Morocco in Africa, so I’m happy to say I’ve been to Africa. Most of the cities we traveled to were in Italy for class. We traveled to outside countries completley on our own. We took trains to the airports; I flew to London and then Spain when I went to Morocco. We would travel by bus as well with student touring companies. With Morocco and Greece we also took ferries, so I used all means of transportation!

HC: Do you mind telling us how much you spent for your own personal expenses?

JF: I spent a little over $6,000 that was all spending money. I would go shopping and it was all within my $6,000 budget. I could have budgeted a little more, but it was well worth it for the experience.

HC: How many classes did you take abroad?

JF: Five. I took Italian, Planning and Buying, Fashion Media, Italian Fashion and Culture, and Study Tour, the class we would travel for.

Jamie was very excited to meet designers while in Florence. She met the designer for Poggianti 1858, a menswear brand famous for their men’s button down shirts.

HC: Did you feel prepared for the trip?

JF: I did. I love traveling to begin with. I’m used to all of the traveling because I’ve been to so many states in the U.S. but it’s so exhausting! Over there it gets stressful, because you have flights, and trains, and times you can’t miss. When you’re on your own you don’t have your parents there to help you, it gets hard sometimes. I would come back from a full day of traveling and want to sleep for 5 years, but I guess traveling wise I wasn’t completely prepared to do all of it on my own, like planning and booking. But we look back and laugh at everything now so the experience was still a good one.

HC: What are some pros and cons about Florence?

JF: Pros would be everything! The food is absolutely amazing and not only does it taste better, but also everything is natural and organic so it’s healthier! A con is living with all the tourists. I’d have to walk post the Duomo everyday, so walking to class everyday I felt like I had to fight through crowds to get to class. Everywhere you go there will be tourists, so it can get a little annoying at times. Another pro would be just experiencing the other cultures in each country and city I saw.

HC: What advice do you have for students who are about to go abroad?

JF: Have fun, don’t stress about anything, you’re in a foreign country for four months and you can never do that experience again. You’ll never have the opportunity to do this and enjoy every second and minute. It goes by so fast, and you’ll bawl your eyes out on the way home because you won’t want to leave. I wasn’t super stressed about money because my parents really wanted me to do everything and anything I wanted to do out there to get that experience, so they’d help me pay for travel out there too.

Katie Lazzari, a fashion merchandising student, poses with the skyline of Florence in the background.

Meet Katie Lazzari, a fashion merchandising major who is currently taking classes at our Florence campus during her junior year. Her name may seem familiar to some because she’s one of our very own Her Campus writers! Her Campus got to have a coffee date (over Skype, of course) with Katie and talk about her semester abroad.

Just a picture from one of the many excursions Katie has been able to take so far! Pisa and pizza, anyone?

Her Campus: What’s been the most surreal part of studying in Italy?Katie Lazzari: Just living in a foreign country with so much history! The fact that I walk by ancient architecture like the Duomo every day on my way to class is amazing!

HC: Tell us about some of the pros of the program.KL: The fashion here is incredible! Everyone looks so effortless. Everything here is beautiful! I also love being able to explore so many other parts of Europe! Living so close to a Zara is so tough on me; I mean, it’s great for my closet, but bad for my wallet.

HC: What about some cons?KL: There’s a very limited selection of everything here. Grocery stores are small and drug stores are even smaller. Oh, and good luck finding anything pumpkin-flavored; fall isn’t a big deal here!

HC: What would you say are the biggest differences between the Florence and Kent fashion programs?KL: The classes here are normally only once a week, which is nice. Many of the fashion courses here revolve around the culture of Italy, which is something you can’t get in Ohio. It’s a lot of going out and seeing/experiencing rather than being taught from a book.

Katie (far right) and friends overlook the stunning French Riviera. “It was definitely one of the best trips we’ve taken so far,” she gushed.

HC: What do you consider the biggest challenge studying over there?KL: My biggest challenge has been just practicing speaking Italian. Almost everyone in Florence speaks English, so if you want to improve your Italian, you really have to put in an effort and tell people, because otherwise they’ll only speak to you in English. It can be really nerve-wracking, but you need to put yourself out there and try! People really appreciate the effort.

HC: What’s been your favorite memory that you’ve made so far? The best adventure you’ve gotten to take since you’ve been there?KL: I would have to say getting to see where my grandpa grew up! He’s from a tiny town in the mountains just outside of Florence. I had to take a train and then wait hours for a bus to get there. No one spoke English, so it was definitely a test of my Italian speaking! I was able to go to the bar he used to go to with his friends; his picture was still on the wall there. I also ended up making friends with some of the locals! The whole experience was surreal—definitely one of the coolest days of my life!

Katie dazzles in front of the Eiffel Tower itself as she embraces the Paris nightlife. Une crêpe et un café au lait, s’il vous plaît?

HC: I’m sure you’ve just been racking up a collection of souvenirs because of all the traveling you’ve been getting to do. What’s the one you’re most excited about?KL: A painting of Paris that I bought on the French Riviera!

HC: Is there anything you wish you had known before you studied abroad?KL: I would say to bring more money than you think you need. Although, I’m not really sure because I felt pretty prepared!

Dream of studying in Italy? If you’re a fashion major, click here. If not, click here.

The KSU Fashion Experience: Florence, Italy

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