Tell us about you!
Where are you studying abroad?
Florence, Italy
How did you choose your study abroad location?
I always loved Italy and Italian food!
Do you speak the local language and had you been out of the country before studying abroad?
I had been out of the country, but I did not speak Italian.
Did you plan anything ahead of time?
I bought allergy cards!
Did you have any concerns about traveling with celiac?
I was a little concerned about the language barrier before studying abroad. However, once I got there, I realized most people spoke English. I also brought my Equal Eats cards just to be safe at every restaurant.
What airline did you fly? Did you eat the plane food or have any special accommodations?
I flew Swiss Airlines, and I didn’t eat the plane food (just to be safe). I brought a bunch of snacks. I brought a sandwich and bagged snacks, like Goldfish and pretzels.
Where did you live and how were meals handled?
I stayed in an apartment and bought my own food at Carrefour.
What are your 3 favorite places to eat at in Florence?
Buca Mario: They have the best lasagna here. I also got the lamb chops, and their other pastas too. For dessert, I could have the strawberries with cream.
L’ortone Trattoria: Amazing food. I got the spaghetti and the beef cheek. For dessert, we shared the apple cake!
La Giostra: I had the pear ravioli and steak. Amazing food.
If there’s a food your study abroad location is known for that you were able to have safely, what was it and where did you try it?
I ate pasta at most restaurants!
What other places have you visited so far?
I went to Prague, Interlaken, Madrid, Milan, London, Dublin, Copenhagen, Parma, Amsterdam, Amalfi Coast, Lisbon, Marbella, and Mallorca!
Besides the food, were there any fun experiences or favorite things you did?
Surfing in Lisbon was one of my favorite memories abroad!
What are your best tips for studying abroad with celiac?
Bring allergy cards (physical or digital) for all your trips if you can. It makes ordering so much easier.
