Study Abroad Student Reports: Florence, Italy

I was given the most incredible opportunity to study abroad in Florence, Italy for the summer mini term 2025. This course lasted three weeks and allowed me to live in the center of Florence to first hand experience the daily lives of Italians, their culture, and learn about art in correlation with human factors. This was an amazing experience as I learned how important art is with connections beyond. These masterpieces allowed me to physically see examples of different types of physics concepts, compare craftsman techniques that influenced the future, and be able to learn about famous artists that advanced the future for the best.

During our classwork time, everyone went as a group to visit museums, cathedrals, artisan shops, and production businesses to learn about what each place does. This allowed me to learn more about the lifestyle of different people such as artisans and gave a more clear view into the process and dedication for each type of product. Some specific places we all visited together were, but not limited to, Stefano Bemer Shoes, Pagani, and parmigiano reggiano, which was super cool as it allowed me to understand the importance of precision, product dedication, the engineering process, and customer relationship versus profit. As for the cathedrals, we visited some of the oldest and most famous churches in Florence and Siena which were stunning. These showed the concept of art and human factors by implementing the history behind each building as a whole and the processes used to design the churches based on the time period.

Outside of class time, I would go with a group of people from my apartment to different cities to see the different regions across the country. After three weeks, I was able to visit Rome, Pisa, Lucca, and Cinque Terre with my friends separate from class time. These were absolutely incredible cities to visit and all presented me with a new atmosphere and culture style. This has influenced my view on the world as well from being able to see such beautiful places and compare them all from the history behind them to the way of life currently. It also gave more experience in the fields of train transportation, working together in a group and creating stronger bonds for new friendships.

As a whole, I have learned new techniques behind artwork and the way things work in society as art has influenced human factors and advancements within everyday objects. This has given me a better understanding of different cultures around the world compared to the United States, and has influenced a new type of creativity that I plan to incorporate into future courses, engineering and my future career. This truly has been one of the best experiences and has taught me so much about the world and the way it runs all from learning about the deep history behind it from class activities.

Over the past three weeks, I was able to travel to Florence, Italy as apart of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville Industrial Engineering program. Our class was titled: Applied Human Factors in Art in Italy. We took numerous day trips to see artisans, factories, and vineyards to experience how human factors has influenced large- and small-scale production throughout Italy. Having this class in Florence allowed our professors to teach and show us the historical significance behind everything we learned in class, which was very special! Though I am a civil engineer, this class showed the importance of product design and manufacturing which can be translated into designing as a civil engineer.

In our excursions, which included one per day, I was able to taste incredible balsamic vinegar, see how designer bags are produced, talk to local artisans, and make great friendships. It was incredibly fascinating to see how artisanship is so valued in Florence and how specific each technicality can be. In visiting each of these places I was able to see how, as an engineer, I can contribute to the culture of artisanship that is so valued in Italy.

Likewise, this trip allowed for immense personal growth. I was able to travel freely on the weekends where I went to other cities throughout Italy. We also had free time every day where I could explore less crowded areas around Florence and find my favorite corners of the city. Following this trip, I was able to travel to other areas in Italy such as Lake Como, Pisa, and Cinque Terre.

This trip has helped me grow in numerous ways and I wish everyone could experience a once in a lifetime trip like this. I am so grateful for this opportunity and am excited to visit Florence again!

Spending a summer studying abroad in Florence, Italy was an unforgettable experience that broadened my perspective both academically and personally. The course I took, Applied Human Factors and Art in Italy, was a creative blend of science and art. We explored the evolution of the human form through historical art representation. This allowed me to develop a deeper understanding of how human-centered design has evolved over time, while also sharpening my ability to apply this knowledge in modern engineering contexts. While on my trip, studying art often led me to reflect on how it shaped human civilization, influencing essential human factors such as the development of reading and writing. Below is an example of one of the many amazing pieces of art we got to see, The David.

Outside of class, Florence itself became my extended classroom. Walking through places like the Uffizi Gallery, Galileo Museum, and the historic Ponte Vecchio all added layers of meaning to what I was learning. Below is a picture of the amazing city of Florence from the Duomo! In addition to art gallery visits, I also got to take part in academic excursions. One of the most memorable excursions to me that we did as part of our classroom time was the visit to Scandicci, where we toured a high-end handbag design facility. Seeing how Italian design harmonizes aesthetics and functionality offered an inspiring glimpse into real-world applications of human factors and design thinking.

The weekends were filled with adventures that deepened my appreciation for Italian culture. A highlight was our trip to Rome, where I was stunned by the ancient sites like the Colosseum and the Pantheon. Another favorite was our weekend in Cinque Terre. Hiking between the cliffside villages and taking in the breathtaking views of the Mediterranean was like stepping into a postcard. These excursions not only gave us a break from coursework but also enriched our overall experience and connection to the country. Below are pictures of the Colosseum in Rome and the city of Riomaggiore (my favorite!) in Cinque Terre.

Looking back, I’ve gained far more than course credits. I now have a stronger foundation in human-centered design, a deeper appreciation for the role of art in science, and a new sense of independence and adaptability. Being immersed in Italian culture challenged me to see the world, and my future work as an engineer, with fresh eyes. I’m grateful for the memories, the lessons, and the people I met along the way.

This past May, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Florence, Italy for three weeks as a part of the Applied Human Factors and Art study abroad class. Studying industrial engineering, this class helped me see how our representation of the human form and daily life has progressed over centuries, especially through history and art. Florence was the perfect place for this since it’s known as the birthplace of the Renaissance. We learned how people’s lives and workspaces were shaped by their environment and needs over time.

While we were in Italy, we visited famous places like the Uffizi Gallery, the Galleria dell’Accademia (where Michelangelo’s David is located), and the Leonardo da Vinci Museum. These visits helped us understand how artists and designers thought about the human body and how that relates to things we use every day. We also took tours of local businesses and factories to see how modern Italian companies use human factors to improve work and design.

Studying abroad gave me a whole new perspective. I realized how much culture and history can influence the way we design products. Seeing the art, talking with locals, and exploring different places made me appreciate both Italian life and my own. This unforgettable experience expanded my knowledge, and the experience I gained will continue to guide me as I grow in my engineering career.

For three weeks in May, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Florence, Italy as part of the University of Tennessee’s Industrial Engineering Applied Human Factors and Art course. This program brought together engineering concepts and artistic traditions in a way that opened my eyes to how design, culture, and everyday life are connected.

Our travels took us across several iconic locations including Florence, Siena, Pisa, Lucca, Rome, and Scandicci. Each city offered something different and allowed us to see famous landmarks and works of art such as Michelangelo’s David, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, many beautiful cathedrals, and more. These experiences gave me a deeper appreciation for the rich history and lifestyle that make Italy so unique.

As a part of the course, we also visited a number of businesses and artisans that are well-known for their craftsmanship and innovation. Highlights included touring the Pagani automotive factory and Stefano Bemer, a shoemaking company in Florence. We also toured a traditional Balsamic vinegar producer and a local cheese maker, learning about the care and human skill involved in creating products that are both functional and beautiful. These visits helped me see how design decisions impact not only the product itself but also the experience of those who use or interact with it.

Overall, this experience has changed the way I see the world around me. I’ve learned that industrial engineering is not just about systems and efficiency, it is also about people, culture, and creativity. Being in Italy helped me connect technical thinking with artistic insight, and I have returned home with a broader, more human-centered view of design and problem-solving.

 This summer, I traveled to Florence, Italy, for a three-week study abroad opportunity with Tickle College of Engineering, where I learned about human factors and art. While my coursework focused on human factors, my newly gained international experience taught me culture, design, and history, benefiting how humans interact with their environment and with each other more successfully. 

One of the most impactful parts of the trip was visiting a variety of museums that brought Renaissance innovation to life. At the Bargello and Accademia, we studied sculptures like Donatello’s St. George and Michelangelo’s David, seeing firsthand how form and function merge in classical art. The Uffizi Gallery showcased the progression of visual storytelling through paintings by artists such as Botticelli, Caravaggio, and others. Each museum experience added a layer of appreciation for how artists approached perspective, symmetry, and user experience, long before those concepts were formalized in engineering. 

Outside of the classroom, I was also fortunate to explore other parts of Italy during our free weekends. During the first weekend, I traveled to Venice, where I was able to experience the city’s unique charm. The following weekend, I ventured to the coastal region of Cinque Terre and stayed in the nearby town of Levanto. There, I was able to explore beautiful rock beaches and swim in the Ligurian Sea. These weekend trips gave me a broader view of Italy’s geography and culture and added unforgettable memories to an already enriching experience. 

This experience helped me understand how history and human creativity influence today’s technologies. I returned with a deeper appreciation for the role of culture in engineering and a renewed passion for creating thoughtful, user-centered solutions. 

 Ciao! I just finished studying abroad in Florence, Italy, completing the Applied Human Factors and Art in Italy course. I am now travelling across Europe, beginning in Portugal and working eastward across the continent for the remainder of the summer and plan to end my journey in Hungary. The past month has been the best and most transformative experience of my entire undergraduate college career. Getting to see the way others live, conduct business, and interact with the world around them gave me a deeper appreciation for cultural diversity and broadened my perspective on global interconnectedness. Having the ability to participate and learn in a program like this was an incredible privilege that I will forever cherish. 

After visiting eight small businesses in the central region of Italy, it was clear to me that there is a much greater emphasis on quality put into their products. The people of the country take pride in where their goods come from, and those who make these goods have a true passion for their craft. Below is a photo taken by me at Stefano Bremer, a local shoemaker in Florence. Stefano makes all his shoes by hand and works directly with his customers to get perfect molds of their feet, ensuring a quality fit with the purpose of having his products last a lifetime.

Another thing about the businesses that made an impact on me was the elevated focus on sustainability that they all share. It was clear the businesses cared deeply about the planet and that shone through in their actions. One business in particular really stuck out to me. This was a coworking space for leather designers where the leather used was 100% recycled and sustainably sourced. Run by Cassandra Kane, an expat from New York City, the space uses leather that would go to waste to create products including purses, wallets, and other common leather goods. Witnessing the mission of this business firsthand was truly inspiring and motivated me to incorporate a stronger focus on sustainability in my future engineering work. 

While it’s incredible to experience the art, the history, the dedication to quality, and the deep sense of community that radiates through the streets of Italy, it also made me reflect on what we could bring back to the U.S. from these rich cultural values. It’s easy to assume that implementing these changes is the responsibility of policymakers or someone else willing to take on the challenge. But that mindset won’t create meaningful change. It won’t guide us toward a more sustainable planet. It won’t shift us away from the harsh realities of mass consumerism that dominate American life. It won’t help us build communities that slow down, gather more often, and live more intentionally. As engineers, we can’t sit on the sidelines. We must recognize that we hold tremendous power to shape the world for the better, not just for our own neighborhoods, but for people and places we may never personally encounter. 

As engineers, we are builders, not just of bridges and machines, but of systems, cities, and futures. We have the unique opportunity to design with purpose and intention. Whether it’s through sustainable materials, ethical supply chains, or human-centered design, we can incorporate values like community, equity, and environmental care into the very infrastructure of daily life through our engineering practices. The work we do does much more than just solve technical problems. It sets the tone for how people live. We should lead with vision, taking notes from communities around the world that challenge the norms of what we know in the US as typical daily life, and create solutions that honor both people and the planet. The future is not something we inherit: it’s something we engineer. That was the most important takeaway that I gleaned from this experience. I feel incredibly grateful for the way my mindset has shifted and inspired me to be a better, more intentional engineer. 

I would like to conclude this reflection by giving a special thank you to Laura Knight, Erin McCave, the UT study abroad office, and SAI programs for making this entire experience possible. It would not have been possible without their hard work, sacrifice, and dedication to seeing their students succeed. 

Spending three weeks in Florence, Italy was an absolute dream come true. The course that I took while abroad was Applied Human Factors and Art in Italy, which allowed me to delve deeper into the history behind the artwork and artisans that we visited throughout the city. We studied the change in how the human form was represented in artwork over time. Also, we studied the change in different inventions from when they were created to the present day. I was able to see and understand engineering concepts that I have learned in a classroom applied to real life.

When I was not in class, I was still learning everywhere I went. I toured the Pitti Palace, Galileo Museum, Uffizi Gallery, The Accademia Gallery, and multiple cathedrals, including the Basilica of Santa Croce. While there, I was able to see Michelangelo’s historic Statue of David. We also climbed all the way to the top of the Duomo after learning about the engineering behind the construction of the Dome. Our class also took many excursions during the day. My favorite was visiting Emilia-Romagna where we toured the Pagani car factory and museum. Seeing how each part of the car is assembled and all put together really put into perspective what an engineering career can become.

On the weekends, we were provided with a lot of freedom to travel throughout the country. I visited Rome, Pisa, Lucca, and Cinque Terre. My appreciation for Italian architecture and history continued to grow while visiting all of these cities. Between visiting the Pantheon and Vatican City, hiking along cliffside towns, and taking photos with the Leaning Tower of Pisa, I was able to take a break from my coursework while still being immersed in Italian culture. Whether I was in the classroom or out exploring the city, I would not trade this experience I was given for the world.

My time in Florence, Italy, was nothing short of amazing! From the moment I arrived, I was surrounded by rich history, vibrant culture, and incredible art and architecture. I participated in the Applied Human Factors and Art in Italy course, led by Lecturer Laura Knight and Teaching Associate Professor and Director of Engineering Fundamentals Erin McCave. The class was both fascinating and informative. We each selected a Renaissance artist to research, exploring their works in depth. Additionally, we examined an everyday item or work method that has evolved over time.

As part of our coursework, we had the opportunity to visit many incredible museums, churches, and landmarks. My personal favorite was the Uffizi Gallery, home to some of the most iconic artworks in the world, including Michelangelo’s Doni Tondo and Sandro Botticelli’s Birth of Venus. Seeing these masterpieces in person was truly striking. Another highlight for me was our artisan visits throughout Florence. Our tour guide, Martina, took us to a bookbinding shop, a printing shop, and a gold shop. My favorite was the gold shop, Filippini & Paoletti, where the owner, Carlo, has created pieces for Christian Dior, Neiman Marcus, and Saks Fifth Avenue. Carlo walked us through the gold jewelry-making process, an incredible experience that connected beautifully to industrial engineering principles.

Outside of coursework, we visited two cities: Venice and Monterosso in Cinque Terre, Italy. Venice was one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen- full of culture, history, and stunning architecture. We spent our time there exploring the city and soaking in everything it had to offer.

As beautiful as Venice was, my favorite city we visited was Monterosso in Cinque Terre. While there, my friends and I rented a boat for a few hours, and it was such a fun experience! From the boat, we were able to see all five villages that make up Cinque Terre, which was an incredible opportunity. It was really special to have the freedom to travel on our own, and I grew a lot in my confidence and ability to navigate new places independently.

My time in Florence was incredibly special. I’m so thankful to Knight and McCave for taking the time to guide us on this unforgettable journey. I learned so much about Florence’s history, but the most meaningful part was the people I shared this experience with. I left Florence with a grateful heart, a lifetime of memories, and 15 new best friends. Florence will always hold a special place in my heart, and I would take this opportunity a million times over again!

I had the opportunity to travel to Florence, Italy this past summer for the Applied Human Factors and Art study abroad program. During those three weeks, I travelled around Tuscany and Italy. I was able to immerse myself in Italian culture. I learned so much about how our perception of the human form has impacted how we portray it and how that impacts what we invent through the course. I have always loved art and art history, so it was invaluable to see how it connects to engineering.

I hadn’t travelled internationally by myself before, so even before arriving in Italy I was trying new things. I managed to make it there on time even though my flights were delayed which caused me to almost miss one. Arriving in Florence and meeting the rest of the group on that first day helped me to finally relax after all that chaos. I loved being able to learn the history of Florence and connect it with the artisans that we visited as well as see how Florence fit into the general history of Tuscany. I visited many workshops from Pagani to shoes to general leather goods to bookbinding and all of them used principles of lean. We had a day trip to Siena, and it was interesting to see their importance on contrades (neighborhoods) and their rivalry with Florence.

Besides group activities, I also did extra activities by myself or with a small group. I travelled on the free weekends to Rome and Cinque Terre which were both so fun. While I learned a lot less about both areas because we didn’t have a tour guide like on the group trips, I spent a lot of time in awe of the architecture and scenery. I went by myself to an opera in an Anglican church in Florence. I also travelled to Lucca on my final day to walk around the walled city before I left. I was able to do all the activities and see everything I wanted to in Florence while also learning about a subject I find extremely interesting and making friendships with people I wouldn’t have known otherwise.