Nicolás' Erasmus Experience in Florence, Italy

Why did you choose to go to Florence, Italy?

I mainly chose to go to Florence for it being the Cuna del Renacimiento. I truly wanted to fully experience this city once in my life. When I decided to go on Erasmus, I had to weigh up whether I wanted to go to Poland or Italy (I considered these to be my best options), and I am happy to have chosen this option - Italy. Climate, geographical location, language and culture; these factors have been key in my decision-making.

How long does the grant last? How much money do you receive as support?

My grant was for 6 months, but, fortunately, the Diputación Provincial de Cádiz agreed to continue funding me for another 3 months, supplementing the grant received from the European Union.

I will receive, when they begin to send us the money (my Mum and Dad will be supporting me for the first few months, of course) 300€ a month from the European Union (and later, the same amount from Cádiz) and around 200€ by the Regional Government of Andalusia.

What is student life like in Florence?

Well, the Erasmus students know the other Erasmus students. It's easy to get to know people because the student organisations here, which you should add on Facebook (ESN, ISF, AEGEE and Face) put on loads of activities and events (you will be busy from Monday all the way through to Sunday), which means that you are not going to have problems meeting people: in three weeks, you will have met more people than you can remember.

However, the Italians are more closed off. This doesn't mean that they are not going to mix with you because you are an Erasmus student, it's actually the complete opposite; they are going to completely ignore you. Look, I don't want to say that they look at you funny or that they don't respond when you talk to them, but they are not going to look out for you to shake your hand anywhere. Florence is a city where tourism lives and breathes, and, in its eyes, you are simply another tourist. Learn Italian if you want to get more involved at university and with your classmates, although I came here knowing 10 songs by heart and now I can talk with a certain level of fluency (after 2 months), after taking an A2 language class.

Florence is a tourist city, not a student city (but, in a way, aren't you a tourist really? )

Would you recommend the city and the Università degli Studi di Firenze to other students?

Of course. As well as every corner of this city being beautiful (you will not understand this until you live here), there are more churches here than you will ever realise, and all of them are more beautiful than those in your hometown.

You are not going to forget the first time that you see Florence Cathedral (Santa Maria del Fiore), the Ponte Vecchio, nor the views from the Piazzale Michelangelo.

With regards to the university, even though I have not taken any exams, they are oral exams, anyway, (engineering students - they will make you write on the whiteboard, you will not escape from giving some kind of presentation), you have "appello", which basically means 3 exams in each examination period, giving you nine opportunities to pass (it depends a little according to the module). Don't worry, based on what I have understood, at this university, the Engineering faculty isn't too full-on, meaning that if you study (yes, you also have to study a little bit whilst on Erasmus, I won't lie to you), you pass.

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What is the food like in Italy?

Pasta and pizza - this stereotype is absolutely true, especially for the first main meal of the day. In Italy, for scheduling reasons, they eat between 12pm and 2pm, normally eating pasta for lunch and meat, salads and other things for dinner (in the words of the Italians, "carbohydrates at midday and vitamins and proteins in the evening").

For them, there is variety in changing the way in which they make pasta (the sauce, if they add cheese or not, the type of meat, etc. ), but, despite all this, they don't deviate from pasta. However, you will more or less find everything you eat in Spain here, in such a way that you definitely won't go hungry. Although, the topic of prices deserves a mention in one of the following points.

Was it difficult to find accommodation in Florence?

Yes, more or less. I will stick with this point for a bit. As I said, it's a famous and tourist-orientated city, which, as a result, means that accommodation prices are inflated. The cheapest option I have heard of is close to the "Palazzuolo" , where you can share a flat with 6 others for 200€ a month with bills (each person has their own room, of course).

The more you demand from the accommodation, the more expensive it will be. Normally, the prices fluctuate between 300€ and 500€ a month, plus bills, so if you want a decent and economically-priced room, it will take work to find it. For 23€, you can buy a student travel pass with Ataf (bus company) so you can get around the whole city, something which, in my opinion, is invaluable, especially if you're an Engineering student and have to get to Santa Maria and Morgagni (your faculties, in the north of the city, are quite far away).

This semester, I am living in the Evergreen Residence. It's around 400€ a month (with bills included), with WiFi and a cleaning service, but neither the WiFi nor the cleaning are the best, it's almost like they don't even exist. I share a bathroom, and, honestly, I have been lucky. Although, in general, the people are friendly and open (the first two floors are reserved for international students), you can be unlucky, like in every situation, but we have not had too many complaints from our neighbours. Even so, another important point is that you cannot have someone sleep in your room, or you have to pay 10€ a night. It's cheap compared to a hotel, but expensive compared to being in your own flat, where it's obviously free.

But there aren't just disadvantages to living here: as I said, my best friend from Florence is a German guy that I wouldn't have met if I hadn't been here. Also, given that you don't know anything about Florence when you arrive, here you are going to have some shelter; you are "more protected", but the protection starts to become tiring. Another point in favour of the residence is that it's relatively easy to get to the bus station (services 22 and 57) and to Morgagni (56 and 60), but you are far from the nightlife here. And, knowing that Florence is not the most "party-going" city, you can get quite bored.

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How much does it cost to live in Florence?

Without luxuries, you can live relatively well.

I'll explain: if you cook at home, you can learn thousands of recipes (they are mainly for pasta), or you can go to La Mensa (university dining hall). There are many places to eat at for the same price (3€-4€), but not all of them are of the same quality. I recommend the "Capponetto" and that you don't spend more than 20€ when you go out to eat. You could go to any place, really, but you have to look at the prices, otherwise, half-way through the month, you are going to have problems.

The flat is expensive - this, you already know - but, with regards to food, it's more or less the same prices as those in Spain. Mind you, cold meat and chicken are more expensive, but pork, for example, is disgusting. And we won't even talk about pasta (I bought 1kg of pasta for 60 cents... it's all about searching for deals, although you can't cut down on costs every time). When you have spent a month in Florence, you will be like a housewife, and you will know the prices of everything, so don't worry.

The alcohol is around 10%-20% cheaper, depending on what you buy. I have found Disaronno for 9, 50€ and Legendary rum for 23€ (I think it's the only one that is more expensive). Beer is a joke in the supermarket: a 660ml bottle of Paulaner for 1€. Substitute water for beer and you will have a good Erasmus experience in Florence. Wine is also cheap, but for some strange reason, the Italians don't think the "Calimocho" is good. And speaking of Coca Cola, it's almost 2€ for a 1. 5L bottle. Switch to Pepsi... or water. And, as is well-known of Erasmus exchanges, you will put weight on.

In general, my parents will give me around 400€-500€ out of their own pocket to live comfortably (which is more than I receive from the grant - 800€ a month), but you can also live well with less.

Important: every first Sunday of the month, public museums are free, allowing you to save 6€ at each one with your DNI. And, if you sort out an ESN card (it costs 10€, but you get your money's worth out of it, sort it out during the first meeting and they will give you a gift), the museums are free on any given day.

What is the language like? Did you go to any language classes at the university?

For Spanish people, it's really easy to learn Italian, even if you don't interact with the Italians much. Before coming here, as I said, I only knew English. 2 months later, despite making thousands of mistakes, I speak to Italians with relative ease. Take an Italian language class at the Centro Linguistico di Ateneo (the University language centre) - the first one is free and those that follow will be discounted as you are an Erasmus student. Also, these are easy credits, and you don't even have to sit the exam if you don't want to.

Be careful with the verbs and the grammar. Although, at first, you won't understand anything, especially in class, the need to understand sharpens the mind. You will see that when you lack something (notes, prices, food, directions... ), you quickly learn how to express yourself. However, I would recommend that you arrive with at least an A1 or A2 level of Italian in order to immerse yourself in the country from your very first day without problems.

What is the cheapest way of getting to Florence from your city?

It depends on the flights. Try booking with AirItaly - I have been told that they have good offers, although I tried too late, so I couldn't verify whether this were true. Flying from Sevilla to Pisa and vice-versa is usually a good option, but book the tickets in advance.

The train from Pisa to Florence takes approximately one hour. Try to catch the train without having to take a transfer, but, if you do have one, there's nothing difficult about it. A journey costs 8€; if I remember correctly, the last train leaves at 11pm or 12am. But, I recommend that you arrive in Florence at around midday to have time to travel around the city a little and to avoid the evening arriving too quickly.

As always with flights like these, booking them far in advance is essential. Ryanair is always a good shout.

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Which places would you recommend for nightlife in Florence?

Make friends with other Erasmus students and the parties will come to you. I am not kidding, the moment when you say "no" to a party will eventually arrive.

• With ISF, "Space" (the name of the nightclub) is 1€ every Wednesday (uh, yes, I did already warn you that you would be busy from Monday to Sunday).
• Thursdays are when you will improvise and do something spontaneous.
• Friday - nightclub. Like always, you go to a street drinking party in the Piazza Santa Maria Novella (you cannot buy alcohol in Italy after 10pm, so take it home if you don't want to have to buy it for a higher price in an off-licence.
• On Saturday, it's more or less the same as Friday.

Obviously, I have not included the activities and parties that ESN, AEGEE and the other student organisations run in that list, but they will keep you busy on Mondays, Thursdays and at weekends. I am sure that you, yourself, will work out that Tuesday is the most chilled day of the week...

And eating out in Florence? Can you name your favourite places?

Any ice cream parlour (La Carraia is very famous), any pizzeria, any restaurant or any bar. Don't forget to try the "Lampredotto". Don't ask what it is until you try it. It's not a delicacy, but it is typical of Florence - without sorrow nor glory.

And cultural hotspots?

• Duomo (Santa Maria del Fiore): climb the dome and up the bell tower. Entry into the church is free, but to descend down into the basement is not. The entrance to the baptistery is in front of the Cathedral. You can do it all for around 10€. It's never completely free, regardless of the time of the year, or whether you have any type of recognised discount card; however, it's quite cheap if you take into account that with just one ticket, you can spend the whole day there, and experience some amazing views.



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• Santa Corce: Street drinking parties also take place here, and it's relatively common to find a supermarket in the square in front of the stunning church.
• Ponte Vecchio: I also especially recommend looking at it from another bridge (like the Ponte alla Carraia, and, whilst you're there, try the ice cream).
• Museo Uffizi: it's incredibly beautiful. The first part of the museum (up to the cafeteria) will leave you speechless. Try to look at the Ponte Vecchio from here, especially during sunset. Even though the second part is nice, it won't surprise you at all after seeing the first part. By the way, at the cafeteria here they will charge you 60 cents for a glass of water, and I won't even tell you how much for coffee: you won't miss out if I don't tell you...
• Galleria dell'Accademia: the David sculpture by Michelangelo is here, but not much else. You should go before going to the Uffizi, otherwise you will feel cheated.
• Piazzale Michelangelo: lookout point. From here, you will see the typical photo of Florence that comes up in a Google search. And yes, you will also want to take one for yourself.
• Piazza della Republica: very pretty, although there is not much to do there. You will end up seeing it quite frequently.
• Piazza della Signoria: just next to is the Uffizi, and it's beautiful. You will also see this more than once, for sure. It has an area full of statues, imitations of course, but it's worth stopping for a second to see them.
• Palazzo Pitti ed il Giardino di Boboli: see them together, because they are situated by one another. Don't miss the opportunity to see them, but be aware that with everything that you can see in the gardens, you will lose a day, so take water and something to eat.
• Santa Maria Novella: I almost forgot to include it, but you will see it if you go to the bus station, as it's just in front of it (does it add up now that they have the same name? ) and the street drinking party is just in front in the square (and Space is just there too).

And, of course, there is more to see, but time is golden. Don't leave without having seen all that is both inside and outside the city.

Any advice you want to give to future students in Florence?

The Erasmus 'experience' is sold as being all about parties and having fun, but it's an experience. You won't ever see the world with the same set of eyes again because you are not the same person that you were when you left. You have lost the fear of loneliness (the first week of an Erasmus exchange is horrible, but hold on until the second) and you feel capable of resolving any problem that presents itself to you. You understand your parents much better, you understand circumstances much better, and you understand your place in society much better.

You have met people of all different nationalities: you have drunk beer and whiskey with Iranians (yes); you have played the Spanish guitar with a German guy (guess: he played it); you have played football and volleyball with Italians; you have talked about politics (and women) with Albanians, and, a Korean guy destroyed you drinking Jägermeister (and vodka, beer and wine... ), amongst other things.

As you can see, you cannot miss out on the opportunity to come here. It's not 'less fun' than other places, nor is the experience of a lesser quality here than of that somewhere else: you are going to learn English and, who knows, maybe you will also learn German. You are going to make a toast in languages you didn't even know existed and, above all, you are not going to want to leave (read something about post-Erasmus syndrome).

I absolutely recommend Florence as Erasmus destination, particularly for its close proximity to other cities in Italy (it's situated more or less in the centre of the country). Forget about free rides, you will study to some extent during your time here, but help is available if you need it. Forget about out of control partying day in, day out (though one time it will get completely out of hand), and understand that the most amazing thing about this entire experience is the freedom: you do what you want, when you want, which makes you learn from every mistake and enjoy every great decision even more.

Right, I'm almost done: what is considered to be 'ok' in Spain is usually considered to be so too in Italy, well more often than not (speaking in terms of laws and culture). Also, here everything is even more relaxed, except for driving; don't even put an ounce of trust in Italian drivers.

Buy a bike. For 25€, you'll have the best mode of transport in the whole of Florence... until someone steals it from you (bikes are the backbone of Florence's black market). But anyway, with a good padlock, you'll have a bike for a little while at least.

You should go an Erasmus exchange irrespective of where it may be, and if you come to Florence, even better! There's no better destination in Europe if you have even the slightest interest in culture and learning another language (that isn't English).

Già ho finito! Ci vediamo, ragazzi!

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