Before I began my internship at Florence Fashion Tour through Florence University of the Arts, I knew I’d be gaining professional experience, but I didn’t expect how much personal growth would come along with it. From developing content creation skills to understanding how to adapt to the impulsive rhythm of the Florence fashion and tourism scene, this experience has developed my perspective in ways that go beyond classrooms.

Florence Fashion Tour is an exclusive company that offers a range of curated experiences, from luxury shopping tours to artisan-led workshops! My main responsibility during my semester abroad was to build and create the company’s social media presence, specifically on TikTok. The goal we set was to increase visibility and share what we have to offer with our unique experiences. The tasks usually included everything from tagging along on the tours, editing videos, finding trending audios, and researching strategies for engagement. Through this, I got firsthand looks and experiences with hidden boutiques, private fashion shows and events, and workshops.

Some of my favorite moments were at the private fashion events, such as shows or sales, paper marbling classes, and small artisan workshops. Whether I was filming a moment from a local runway show or filming guests creating traditional Florentine marble paper, I discovered I was becoming more invested in how storytelling through social media can highlight a brand’s mission and identity. Each tour extends something unique, and this semester I learned how to communicate that visually and responsively to an online audience.

Our team was made up of international interns and we communicated primarily through WhatsApp and we had weekly meetings with our supervisor, Alice. Early on, there were challenges with communication, but throughout the semester, I had gained clarity of my role within the company and built a rapport with Alice. After a quick open conversation with our team, we improved communication and structure, which in the long run helped everyone stay punctual and become more confident in our tasks. Retrospectively, these moments also taught much more than I expected; not only about the cultural differences in work, but about the significance of speaking up and collaborating with empathy.

Working in Florence has shown me that professionalism is unalike across cultures and industries. There is an artistry in the way tasks are completed here, fashion is worn as a form of identity, and meetings flow more conversationally. As a midwestern student, adjusting to that way of working felt strange at first, but over the few months I spent abroad, I see how the differences allowed me to be more creative, flexible, and mindful in my work.

This internship through FUA has not only improved my resume, but shaped my confidence. It has shown me that there is immense value in stepping outside of my comfort zone, working through obstacles with interest, and embracing new roles. My time at the Florence Fashion Tour has proven that fashion isn’t only about aesthetics; it’s about storytelling, experiences, and connecting with people from all over the world.