Zach Marshall is an art history student whose experience in Florence is driven by purpose and a genuine passion for his field. Originally from California, he attended Front Range Community College before taking time away from school to explore other paths and gain real-world experience. That time ultimately shaped his direction. When he returned to his academics, he chose art history intentionally, and Florence became the natural next step.

What stands out immediately when speaking with Marshall is his engagement with his environment. He does not approach art history as something abstract or distant. Instead, he fully takes advantage of being in a city where history is not just studied, but lived. He emphasizes how impactful it is to experience art firsthand rather than relying on secondary sources, explaining that he can simply go out and see what he is learning in real time. That direct connection has strengthened both his understanding and his appreciation of the subject in a way that a traditional classroom never could.

His academic experience at The American University of Florence has reinforced that approach. Marshall spoke with real respect for his professors, particularly those who bring energy and movement into their teaching. He highlighted his first art history professor, Piera Battista, whose enthusiasm immediately set the tone for his experience. He also pointed to professors like Claudio Rodighiero, whose walking lectures transform the city itself into a classroom. These moments are not just memorable; they are foundational to how he now thinks about learning.

Beyond academics, Marshall’s presence within the AUF community is just as defining as his work in the classroom. During the interview, it became impossible to ignore how many people recognized him. Multiple students stopped to greet him, not in passing, but in a way that reflected real familiarity. It was clear that these were not surface-level interactions. He is outgoing, genuinely kind, and consistently engaged with the people around him. Marshall has built strong relationships, and those connections are a central part of his experience.

When asked about his favorite aspect of studying at AUF, Marshall did not hesitate to focus on the people he has met. For him, the value of Florence is not limited to its history or its art, but extends to the relationships he has formed along the way. That perspective aligns directly with what I observed during the interview. He is someone who actively contributes to the community he is part of, not just someone passing through it.

His connection to Florence also has a very personal origin story that shaped everything that came after. He first visited the city at the age of 13, but at the time, he admits he did not fully appreciate what was around him. The art, the history, the significance of it all did not quite land yet. A few years later, at 16, he did not need to return to Florence to realize what he had missed. Instead, he experienced a sense of guilt for not taking advantage of that earlier opportunity. That realization pushed him to start exploring art on his own. What began as curiosity quickly turned into something much deeper. Shortly after, he fell in love with it, and that moment ultimately defined the path he is on now.

Looking ahead, Marshall is a rising senior who plans to continue his education through graduate school, with a specific interest in the business side of the art world. He is drawn to the structure and strategy behind buying, selling, and trading art, with the goal of working in an auction house. His time in Florence has not only reinforced his passion but has also helped him define exactly how he wants to apply it.

His advice to future students reflects the same mindset that has shaped his own experience: stay open-minded and recognize that differences are not negatives.

It is a straightforward perspective, but one that clearly informs how he engages with both his studies and the people around him.

Interviewing Marshall left a strong impression. He brings a level of energy, awareness, and authenticity that is hard to miss. He is not just participating in a bachelor degree program abroad, he is fully invested in it, academically, socially, and personally.

His experience is a clear example of what is possible at the American University of Florence, where students have the opportunity to immerse themselves in both their studies and a lively international community. For anyone considering obtaining their degree abroad, Zach Marshall’s journey shows how meaningful and transformative the experience can be.