Student Spotlight: Andi’s journey to rediscover her Italian roots

Taking a gap experience can be a turning point in life, especially when it involves traveling to another country to explore culture, language, and personal growth. For Andi, a 20-year-old from the U.S., this meant leaving school and work behind to spend four months in Florence. The experience is about more than just travel: it’s a chance to connect with her Italian roots, immerse herself in a new culture, challenge her independence, and focus on learning a language she’s always wanted to speak.

Here’s her story, from the decision to take a gap year to preparing for life in Italy and embracing the adventure ahead!

Hi Andi! Can you tell us why you decided to do a gap experience in Italy now, and for 4 months specifically?

After high school I went straight into nursing school, but to tell the truth, I didn’t really think about it; I just enrolled. And after a year I realized I didn’t love it, so I decided to take a break. Since then, I’ve been working in a restaurant as a waitress, simply serving. Working gave me the chance to step back and think about what I really wanted. I realized that school wasn’t right for me at that moment and that I needed to enjoy life a little. That’s when I started looking into gap year programs and found this one.

As for why Italy and why exactly four months, I’ve always loved traveling, and Italy has always been a dream of mine. A short vacation never feels like enough, because there’s so much I want to see and do here. Spending four months in Florence felt like the perfect way to completely immerse myself in the culture.

And, looking back, I think I needed this time in between. If I had tried to do a gap year right after high school, I would have been too young and not ready. Now, after both studying and working, the timing feels right.

What are your expectations for this experience? Do you have any fears or concerns right now?

I’ve read that the best way to come into this experience is to have no expectations and just try to enjoy everything as it is. That’s what I’m trying to do, even though it’s harder to put into practice. 

Packing has been stressful and tricky. I’m flying into Rome and then taking a train to Florence with two checked bags (one empty because I know I’ll end up buying so many things) and a carry-on. But what do I bring? What do I leave behind? That’s been the hardest part. Other than that, I don’t really have concerns. Of course I’m a little scared to leave my family behind, but I’m also fine being independent. I’m going to be alright.

My biggest goal is to learn Italian well. I’ve studied Spanish my whole life, and that sometimes confuses me, but I really want to be able to speak Italian properly. I also want to meet a lot of new friends and have a fun time!

You’re Italian American, can you tell us more about it? Was getting closer to your heritage one of the reasons for this trip?

Yes, both my parents have Italian on their sides, but my grandfather on my mom’s side is the closest connection: his whole family is from Italy! I just know some came from Sicily, but overall we’re just mixed Italian.

Growing up, my grandfather cooked a lot of Italian food, but that was pretty much the only connection. Not the language, my parents don’t know Italian either. So for me, living in Italy, going places, and experiencing everything firsthand will be my way to really connect with that part of my heritage.

And how did your family react when you told them?

At first, my parents were supportive but casual about it. Then, once I started planning seriously, it became more real, and we all had to think carefully about it. But I’ve always felt safe about going to Italy, and so far everything has gone smoothly.

Overall, they were all very excited. I actually thought I might have to convince them, but I didn’t. They were supportive from the beginning, and honestly, they’re jealous: they wish they could do it too! My grandparents have also been giving me recommendations (their favorite spots are Rome and Lake Como) and my parents will visit me for a week while I’m in Florence.

What level of Italian are you taking? Are you preparing for it? And do you expect to learn fast?

I’m starting at the beginner level. I’ve been using Duolingo to get some basics, but it’s definitely not enough: that’s why I’m coming to Italy too! I don’t really know Italian yet, but I’m not too worried. I’ll be here for four months, and if I really try to immerse myself, speaking in and outside of school with locals, I know I’ll learn in no time. 

My goal is to become good enough to really speak it, and I’m excited to be able to use Italian with my grandparents when I come back!

Last question: what would you say to someone unsure about doing a gap experience?

If you’re on the fence about it, you should do it. Otherwise you might regret, later in life, that you never took the chance. I think more good can come out of it than bad. So yeah, just go for it.