From City to Città
How one current Marist abroad student transitioned from the Big Apple to Florence.
The Duomo in Florence, Italy. Photo by Ava Battinelli '26
Jacky Downey ‘26 has lived in New York City her entire life, but when the opportunity to switch yellow taxis for Vespas arose, she did not look back.
After choosing Marist College for its abroad program, the journalism and environmental studies major was determined to travel and see the world. Specifically, the Marist Italy program is highly renowned, with 400 students studying in Florence alone right now.
When Downey initially went to Florence, she arrived a week beforehand and spent time with her family.
“I thought that would have been a better idea for me because jet lag tends to really affect me,” said Downey. “But after they left, I was absolutely terrified.”
Despite apparent nerves, Downey knew that compared to the hustle and bustle of the city that never sleeps, Florence would be manageable.
“Over everything, I was just really excited to experience a new culture. NYC is a very culturally diverse place, but it's nice to immerse myself in something new finally,” she said.
Having come from a large city with people from all over the world, the language problem was the least of Downey’s worries.
Despite having minor issues at restaurants and stores, Downey has had a relatively easy time going through her day-to-day, possibly to the credit of the hours upon hours she spent on Duolingo this past summer.
“I tried to practice so much to avoid being ‘that American,’ but I’m sure I’ve probably still been perceived as that. I am trying, though, and the Italian class is helping me along,” she said.
As for the culture, Downey noted that the biggest difference, besides the language, is the speed at which the city functions.
“In Italy, it’s much more of a ‘work to live’ environment rather than ‘live to work,’ which is what it’s like in NYC,” said Downey.
The NYC local went on to explain that in the city, everyone is on their feet 24/7, and things are moving a mile a minute. Conveniences such as placing a mobile order on your phone to pick up or a drive-thru line simply don’t exist in Florence.
And while Downey does miss her midnight runs to the Cabaret or Deli at Marist, she emphasizes the food as one of her favorite aspects of her new city.
“I love going out to eat,” Downey said. “I also feel like I'm only here for so long, so why not?”
In addition to the culture, Downey noted the vast difference between classes abroad through the Lorenzo de’ Medici program versus classes back at Marist.
Instead of meeting twice a week for an hour and 15 minutes, LdM classes meet once a week for two and a half hours.
While structure gives students the entire week to complete assignments and prepare for the next class, Downey pointed out that the classes can feel extremely long.
“I love the class vibe, but I miss the class structure at Marist,” said Downey. “It’s still worth it because I love having to spend money on museum tickets and field trips rather than triple that amount on textbooks.”
As for accommodations, Downey said that LdM has been helpful regarding her learning disability, which she was previously very nervous about.
Downey also noted that this class structure allows for travel on the weekend, which is a significant reason why such a large number of students study abroad.
In the past month, Downey has spent time learning the city and becoming comfortable in her new surroundings, but also ventured outside of Florence to Cinque Terre, Chianti and Venice.
“I haven’t done too much traveling outside of Italy yet, but I definitely have places in mind that I’m excited to go to, such as London, which I’ll be going to this weekend,” said Downey. “Still, what I have done, which has just been on trains and buses, has been easy and manageable.”
Jacky Downey '26 in Venice, Italy. Photo by Ava Battinelli '26
While navigating means of travel is essential when venturing outside of Florence, Downey said that she walks everywhere she needs to go and enjoys every minute of it.
“I know a lot of people are bothered by walking to class, but I don’t mind walking at all. I honestly can’t see how you could be bothered by having to walk past the Ponte Vecchio and the Duomo,” she said.
Downey is also much further from classes in comparison to other Marist students, but this allows her to walk over the Ponte Vecchio every day.
“My mom is an architect, so finally seeing the architecture here is such a crazy experience,” said Downey. “Seeing the Duomo and the Santa Croce for the first time was unbelievable.”
Studying abroad has fulfilled Downey’s hopes and expectations, but it has also made her miss and appreciate the things she loves at home.
Downey misses many aspects of her life at home, from the small things, such as being able to wear pajamas to her 8 a.m. classes, to the bigger elements, like her family and close friends.
“I’m still really homesick,” she said. “I’m really close to my family, and the fact that I won’t see them for four months is driving me a little crazy.”
Still, despite this, Downey would inform future study-abroad students that the difficult aspects of this adventure are not those that will stick with them.
“The first month may be difficult, and you may miss home,” said Downey. “But the good times — the excitement and the fascination of this huge change — will be what you’ll never forget.”