Study Italian in Italy, Florence

What is it like to live in Firenze? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

I greatly recommend living in Florence. My experience and the one of my friends was terrific! Great friends, great student's life, international exchange, culture, night life... and very safe city. Even during the night, walking alone, there is no problem. I had the luck to follow a school, named Scuola Toscana, located at the very heart of Florence (http://www.scuola-toscana.com). They do teach Italian in all levels, but furthermore they organized activities! And you met many students, also from universities.

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What is the student lifestyle like in Firenze?

I can only say "great". You can walk, drink something (fair prices, nowadays even if you sit), changing places, meet other students, speak Italian or anyway in another language... dolce vita is still alive!

How much does it cost to live in Firenze?

Not so much as you can imagine. Ok, we must say that we were, as I told before, in a school. They have a student's card which gives huge of discounts. Further Scuola Toscana gives you a Welcome package where you find a list of shops, markets, etc...

If you go to museums with that card you can enter for free :)

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Firenze? Is there any advice you can give?

Not at all. When you enrol to Scuola Toscana you will get good and selected accommodation. I chose student's apartment (http://www.scuola-toscana.com/).

Important: utilities included!

What is the food like? Which are your favourite dishes?

Oh, I can write a list of 2 pages, but the best are the sweets in the morning café Oibò (in Scuola Toscana building), the Spaghetti al pesto (even if not florentine), the Bistecca alla fiorentina by Anita, the Cinghiale at Maremma's restaurant.

What places would you recommend visiting in Firenze?

Easy to say: Uffizi's gallery, with the Botticelli's masterpieces. Accademia's Gallery, with the masterpiece: Il David and do not forget San Marco, with the Beato Angelicos' frescoes. I visited something alone, with my spirit, and something with the teacher of my school, in the art history course (http://www.scuola-toscana.com/).

Is it good to eat out in Firenze? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

I went to Florence with many prejudices. Mostly you can eat a "panino+ birra" for 7 Euros, and in many places (like Oibò) you can eat for 7 euros also a Pasta + water + coffee. Just check before the price, so you do not receive anymore surprise as we read in old newspaper.

Is the nightlife good in Firenze? Where is good to go?

I recommend "Le Murate": it is the place where was the old prison. It is in Via Ghibellina, central located. Now is a big open area with an huge bar, garden where there is also music, a book store, etc... And the advantage is that you don't have to enter and pay but you can also walk around, stay there, listen the music and only if you want, enter inside and drink something. This is also the reason why you often meet all students, even without organizing.

What advice would you give future students heading to Firenze?

Apply to a school. I personally recommend Scuola Toscana - they were founded in 1989 and have a lot of experiences, huge discounts and full of life places. With them you are oriented in daily life in Florence. Good luck, divertitevi!