Erasmus Experience in Firenze, Italy by Marta

What is the student lifestyle like in Florence?

Is the best one you can live in an Erasmus. You can choose both going on a party to some discos or you can also have a relaxing plan with friends in santa croce, santo spirito or santísima anunziata. You can stay on those places playing the guitar while talking, eating pizza and drinking whine. The weather is so nice that yo wan stay outside most of the time. There are lots of cultural and political movements you can join in the city.

Would you recommend the city and the University of Florence to other students?

WIthout any doubt I'd reccoment it. The university is normal, i wouldn't say it's harder tan in spain (for chemistry), but there are interesting courses and the studens are really hardworkers, they really fight for the best grade. The city is marvellous, I'm really happy of having done my Erasmus there. Is quite caothic, maybe too much for northern europe students, but i'd reccomend learning to live with caos. You'll end up loving it!!

What is the food like?

Perfect, there are plenty of typical Tuscan receipts appart from the tippycal pasta or pizza. Wherever you eat you'll find great food. And in supermarkets you can buy excellent products.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Florence?

There were lots of announces, i wrote so several of them and after a month i found the one. I't was a little bit hard but I reached it.

How much does it cost to live in Florence?

I had a wonderfull place in a renovate flat in the center of the city (3 minutes on foot from the duomo and the rail station) and it costed 400 euros/month. Not cheap but worthy living in the city center.

Is the language easy to get to grips with? Are there language courses available at the University?

Before going i didn't talk a Word of italian but in two months I learnt it quite well. For spanish people it's quite easy but i'd reccomend you to live with italians in order to learn the language better and faster.
There were courses, the first one was for free and the rest were really cheap. You can reach a high level with those courses.