First Night in Florence with Sunsets and Friends
Penn Global Seminar: The Functions of Art
Ike, one of the Spring 2026 Penn Global Seminar Correspondents, shares his experience abroad during the Spring Break. Follow along with the group of correspondents on our blog and look out for their images on the @pennabroad Instagram feed.
On my first night in Florence, six hours jet-lagged and physically exhausted, I made a mental decision to power through. I wanted to make the most of my brief week in Italy. I was curious to see and explore what Italian culture was like firsthand.
We landed around 3 p.m., and instead of taking the time to unwind, I went to meet some of my friends who were in Italy for a study abroad. While walking down the Arno River, I started noticing elements of Italy’s culture. Locals were more stylish, bundled in scarves, leather jackets, and elegant shoes. The streets, however, were much harder to navigate. Unlike the grid system I was used to, Florence was windy and unpredictable. Sidewalks are often tiny, which meant half the time I was walking on the street. Despite the narrow street and sidewalk, cars still move quickly. I’m convinced I avoided three near accidents on this walk alone.
When I greeted my friends outside the church of Santa Croce, where Michelangelo was buried, I was greeted with another part of Italian culture, what Penn students call“SABS-ing” (seen and being seen). Outside of the church, there was a large plaza where people were sitting, drinking an espresso, or simply enjoying the weather. When I arrived, my friends were doing exactly that. I sat down and immediately caught up with them. After a bit, we decided to go to the top of the Piazzale Michelangelo, a famous hill known for its sunset view.
Before we went to the hill, we decided to get an Affogato, a famous Florence treat consisting of gelato and espresso. Safe to say it was delicious.
After an arduous trek up the hill, we were greeted by many others like us looking for the sunset. Tourists and locals alike were crowded shoulder to shoulder, sitting together. Experiencing this moment with my friends really made me feel like I was in Italy, enjoying the simple things.
When the sunset ended, people didn’t all gather and leave; people stayed to further enjoy the moment. We saw all the street lights of the city go on, which felt cinematic.
What kept the energy going was thanks to an older Italian gentleman with silver hair. He started a call and response with everyone on the stairs, consisting of about 150 strangers. Initially, the responses weren’t that energetic, but after a few tries, he really got the crowd on his side. His energy was electric, and this call and response evolved into a dance. For some reason, someone had one of those giant JBL speakers and started blasting Italian music. In Florence, the street rules are more flexible, meaning that a group of 50 people started dancing to this music in the middle of the street.
This was a special moment because it felt spontaneous and deeply human. A sunset brought everyone together, and joy kept us there. Despite being in a different country among people who didn’t speak the same language, we all shared something universal that defines us as humans, living, laughing, and loving.
I ended the night meeting back with my Penn Global Seminar group, who had also been on the hill. Together we walked down and got a classic Italian dinner, consisting of many rounds of food and conversation filling the table.
While at this dinner and throughout the rest of the night, I remembered what I felt on that hill. Despite cultural differences, we all share common experiences that can bring us together, whether it’s a sunset or a simple espresso. These moments aren’t just small pleasures; they’re tools for human connection.