Ciao! I’m Aubree, and my first grand escape out of the country was during my junior year at Cornerstone University, in 2015. I chose to study abroad in the magnificent “Eternal City” a.k.a. Rome. And what an unforgettable experience it was!

As a young girl who grew up in a family that lived just barely above the poverty line, traveling the world had always been a dream. But I didn’t know the first place to look (or the resources to even look for). All I knew was that I was ready to go. Which is why I will forever be grateful to Cornerstone University for hosting an informational session about their study abroad programs and, through that, introducing me to ISA (International Studies Abroad). Fast-forward to August 2015, and there I was, standing in Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport with almost a dozen other American students who had flown in from around the United States, waiting to meet our guides. The energy was like no other. For some, it may have been just another vacation, some box to check off on their list.

But for me, as our taxi driver drove us to our multi-level apartment in our new neighborhood in Gianicolense, it was a 4-month opportunity to live, breathe, and immerse myself into as much of the culture as I possibly could. To this day, I remember the very first moment I fell in love with Tuscany (well, all of Italy really). But it was Greve (located in the Chianti region, and home of the world-renowned Chianti Classico wine) that drew me in with its deep, golden sunlight washing over the rolling hills, stark mountains in the distance, and immaculate vineyards.

Wandering the peaceful pathways of Castello di Verrazzano, in the warm embrace of the gentle breeze, it was then that I knew, Tuscany would always be the place that my heart would long to call “home.” I also developed the heart and passion for introducing my people to this kind of life-changing experience. And so, Toscana Dream was born.

My mission is to inspire, empower, and connect other young, like-minded African-Americans with limited financial means to pursue their dream of studying abroad in Italy by providing a comprehensive resource for scholarship applications, cultural insights, practical travel advice, and opportunities to connect with other black students and expats (past and present) who have achieved this transformative experience.

I’m so happy that you’ve decided to join me as we fall in love with the beauty of Tuscany together! Grazie.