Where in the
World Is Liv?!

This weekend in Florence felt really good in a way I didn't expect. It was slower, more relaxed, and just full in the best way.

I didn't feel the need to rush around or check things off a list. I let myself just be here. Walking around, sitting at meals longer, and enjoying the rhythm of life I have started to settle into. It is crazy how a place that once felt so new can start to feel familiar.

What made it even more special was the people. The mix of friends I have here is something I am so grateful for. Other Americans going through this same experience and locals who have welcomed me into their everyday lives. There is something about being here that makes connection feel really genuine and easy.

One of my favorite moments was going to church and having my pastor know me by name. That feeling of being known, even when I am so far from home, means more than I can explain. And it's not just there. Even at the little café by my apartment, a newfound friend who works there recognizes me. Those small interactions are starting to feel like routine in the best way. The service was grounding and exactly what I needed.

I also went to a lifestyle workshop with my holistic club, and I kept thinking about how amazing the people are. So thoughtful, kind, and intentional. It reminded me how many good people there are in the world when you take the time to really see it.

I have also been talking to my people back home, and that has hit me in a different way. Hearing my friends say they miss me and that it feels like something is missing without me there. It feels like it has been so long since I have been home, even though I know I am exactly where I am supposed to be. It just made me realize how lucky I am to have people who love me like that.

This weekend reminded me how full life can feel when you slow down and let yourself be present in it.

And right now, I feel really grateful to be here.

It is a strange feeling realizing I am already about halfway through my time living in Italy. When I first arrived in Florence, the months ahead felt wide open and full of possibility. Now suddenly I find myself looking back on so many moments that already feel incredibly special.

Before I left, people kept telling me how fast this experience would go. They told me to soak up every second, to stay present, and to appreciate how rare it is to live somewhere new and explore the world in this way. At the time it was hard to fully understand what they meant, but now I do.

Living here has been more than just traveling or checking places off a list. It has been waking up in a beautiful city each day, learning to navigate life in a new culture, and discovering both famous places and small local moments that make a place feel alive. From weekend trips to new cities to simple walks through Florence, every day has been a small reminder of how lucky I am to be here.

There is something humbling about realizing you are living in what will one day be a memory you will carry with you forever.

I feel deeply grateful not only for the places I have seen, but for the opportunity itself. Studying abroad is something I dreamed about for a long time, and getting to live and learn in a place like Italy is something I will never take lightly. I am grateful for the people who helped make this possible and for the chance to experience the world in this way.

This experience has also reminded me how important it is to slow down and be present. Time moves quickly, especially during seasons of life filled with adventure and growth. The best thing I can do is continue to soak it all in. The people, the places, the lessons, and the small everyday moments.

If the first half of this journey has taught me anything, it is that life really does begin at the end of your comfort zone.

As I move into the second half of this experience, my goal is simple. Stay curious. Stay grateful. Keep embracing every moment of this incredible opportunity.

And if time continues to move this quickly, I will do my best to savor every single day.

Welcome to Where in the World is Liv. I'll be sharing the places I've been, my favorite recommendations, and reflections from studying abroad. I love discovering the must-see spots and the local gems that make a place special, and I'm excited to share them with friends and family around the world.