Il Dolce Far Niente -

“The sweetness of doing nothing.”

Florence, Italy

I didn’t know how rich life’s quiet moments could be until I set off on my study abroad journey to Florence the summer after my sophomore year.

I remember stepping onto the plane, unaware that in just two months I would find a place that felt like a second home.

Almost as soon as I arrived, I was surrounded by the scent of fresh espresso, the hum of lively conversations, and architecture more breathtaking than anything I had ever seen. While Florence is easily recognizable for its beauty, the deeper lesson I carried home from studying abroad was the way it expanded my sense of perspective.

It awakened in me a desire to engage in conversations I once might have avoided, afraid a language barrier would hold me back. Yet I quickly realized there was no barrier at all. Communication flowed through gestures, smiles, shared routines, and the gentle rhythm of a more relaxed way of living.

At first, this pace felt unfamiliar, and I struggled to adjust. However, as I let go of my need to be constantly busy, my work deepened, and my curiosity about the culture grew naturally alongside it.

One day, the barista at the local coffee shop where I always stopped for my Nutella croissant and mocha latte asked me what I liked most about Florence. I replied, ‘The pace of life.’ She smiled and said, ‘Ah, Il Dolce Far Niente?’ Not yet fluent in Italian, I looked at her, slightly puzzled. She giggled and explained, ‘The sweetness of doing nothing.’ Those words stayed with me, not because they simply encourage rest, but because they capture the quiet beauty of simplicity.

It was a culture that prioritized connection and embracing life with intention. In those moments, I learned that true immersion begins long before language and lives on well beyond words.

As my trip continued, the culture that once felt like a shock to my system slowly became my new normal. I grew grateful for that shift, because it taught me that one of the most meaningful things we can do is step beyond what we know, venture into unfamiliar places, and carry those experiences with us wherever we go.

Florence showed me that cultural immersion transforms how we see and engage with the world. It taught me to be curious, to slow down, and to let experiences shape me.

I hope to carry this perspective into my studies and future in fashion, building a more thoughtful and intentional industry.