Erasmus Experience in Firenze, Italy by Pepe

Why did you choose to go to Florence, Italy?

It was a good opportunity to live out of my country and I preferred Italy because everybody told me it was easier to pass my exams. In the other hand, culture and people were similar to Spanish ones.

How long is the scholarship? How much money do you receive to help you with living costs?

Ten months. In my case, I received around four thousands euros, but everybody will spend much more than it...

What is the student lifestyle like in Florence?

It is awesome. University is very open to foreign students as it's plenty of them (Spanish are the winners). During week a lot of them are at Santa Croce church, and on the weekends you can enjoy big parties everywhere.

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

Sure, I would. I think the experience I had changed my life and did me better. If you have the opportunity to go out and have to choose, I definitively will go to this city. I have been travelling all around the world and could say is the nicest one.

What is the food like?

Pizza, pasta, burguers, fish.... One of best areas in Italy for food, and you have good places you could take a pizza slice for one euro... and good restaurants around Arno river.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Florence?

It didn't cost me too much time, but I would like to explain how it was as it wasn't easy...
First I tried to go to university campus placed in one of the centric streets (I don't remember exactly where, only know it was close to languages center), and I called some of them, but they were crap...
After 5days without having found anything which suits me, I decided to go to the Spanish estate agency, where I found very good people (a nice guy called Guillermo) and instantly I had the apartment. However, I had to pay one month to them.
So, in my opinion, I would go directly to the agency.

How much does it cost to live in Florence?

Around 1.000 euros per month could be enough if you don't spend to much in parties ;)

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

They are available, and language for Spaniards is really easy, I don't know for others.

What's the easiest or most economical way to travel to Florence from your city?

I got really cheap travels with Ryanair from Bologna and Pisa (from 70 to 100 euros return..)

Where would you recommend to go on a night out in Florence?

Summer you HAVE TO go to CENTRAL PARK.
Winter there are a lot of places around center or parties at houses are good as well.

And for eating? Can you recommend some good restaurants in Florence?

I would recommend one pizzeria on the other side of Ufizi, called i-Tarocchi. Best pizza of the city for me. If you want cheap there is the 1 euro pizza deal where boss is a sicilian man very friendly. El principe (The prince) burguer is one of the cheaper and better burguers.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Plenty of cultural sites... Duomo, Ufizi, Galleria della academia... The places are all awesome, Piazza della Republicca, Sta Croce... WONDERLAND!!

Is there any other advice that you could give to students going to Florence in the future?

Enjoy your travel and try to have fun as much as you can.