I am going to study abroad in Florence, Italy. Where do I find a host family to rent a room from while there?

Question

I am a fashion design student and I would love to live with an Italian family to learn more about the culture and the language. I can't find any sites that show families who are willing to host exchange students. Please let me know if you have any information. Thank you!

Answer 1

are you sure you want to try it? i came to italy 4 years ago, was excited since my school connected me directly with an italian family. i wanted to learn all the culture...all the 'language'...

i was to stay for 3 months at the cost of 800 euros per month. the house was beautiful, close to the center, there were 3 other exchange students, in which stayed aswell in the house...i thought everything was going to be great........i was wrong!

i left the house at the beginning of the 3 week. it was HORRIBLE!!! i had a horrible horrible experience. i think it was partly just bad luck. lets just put it this way, the so-called 'family' i had to live with were probably going in the middle of some family crisis, the mother was this stuck up old lady, she expected me to put my bathroom supplies in the cabinet UNDER the sink. she would dress up as a hooker and leave at 11:30 pm and come back late late at night...where the h**l did she ever leave everyday week day?? her husband was the type who was never home, the one who never said a word, never even saluted me. their 2 daughters, 14 and 18 (i was 19 at the time) were all messed up kids, the little one was simply incredibly spoiled, and the second was on drugs it was so obvious. every night and day i would sit in my room (i had to share with the 'maid', NOT kidding, the room was nice, but just imagine...) with door closed and all three, the mom, the 2 kids yelling their heads off arguing, cussing, the worst!.....yeah talk about 'learning the culture!' and learning the 'language!'.

that wasnt the reason why i left....

one day during dinner, it was me, the other 3 exchange students, the 2 daughters (the small one on my left), the mother, the father, and the maid, all sitting and eating dinner. (i was given the SAME food every dinner...not kidding). then one day, the mom and dad left the table early went to the next room not turning the light on. i had no idea what was going on. after 10 min. i hear the father walking fast, he dodges into the kitchen goes directly to his little daughter (the one on my left side) and begins whipping her with his belt!!!! it was HORRIBLE!!  he wouldnt stop and the girl was crying her head off and he wouldnt stop!! and she was like 10 inces away from me....

the next day i went to my school, complained and left. i couldnt stand living in a situation like this! i got part of my money back an took off!! talk about 'living with an italian family!!'. im sure tehre are 10,000 other italian families that wouldnt do that, but i got the worst one!

good luck, seriously! when you go, dont expect the best if your not so sure!

Answer 2

hi, I know some italian families who offer not only a room but warm hospitality :-)

I got to know them because I was asked to find nice italian family for Japanese University student girls.  I visited each family and talked over 1 hour, and chose some families for them.  All I asked to the family was treating those girls as their daughters.  Some of the families were, let's say, so so, but most of them are so nice and charming, and cooks so well!!!  Why I can tell??  coz all of them invited me to the dinner with my boyfriend :-)  and after the stay, I asked to all girls about the stay, and everyone was so happy.  They said if they get a chance to come to Florence, they'd love to come back to each family...  that's a nice thing to hear for me who found and sent girls to the family.

Well, they live a little off from the center... one is via Bolognese, close to piazza Libertà, and another one is in via A. Traversare(?) close to the big COOP on viale Europa, and the last 2 are via Novoli.

All family offer you half board.  If you are interested in, pls contact me.  I can ask families for the availabilities.

Answer 3

Try www.craigslist.com

Answer 4

I would suggest getting an apartment on your own, or sharing with other students.  Remember that Italy is a very Catholic country, and you may end up with a host family who is very judgemental or won't allow you have the kind of freedom you're accustomed to.  Homestay situations are also very restrictive in terms of food- you pay them to cook for you and you have little or no say in what you eat.  You'll probably eat pre-packaged pastries for breakfast, pasta for lunch, and have a two-course dinner starting with pasta and then with meat and french fries... EVERY... SINGLE... DAY...  

If you share with Italian students you can still practice speaking the language, but you'll be free to come, go and do as you please.  When you arrive in Florence visit all the different schools- you will find poster boards with ads for people looking to share their apartments.  Even if you don't move in with someone, you can still make lots of friends this way (I even got a date with a guy at the Politecnico who helped me read the posters on my first day in Italy, and I know another foreign girl who met her boyfriend this way too!)

Answer 5

Hi,,, the universtiy or school you are attending should be able to help you find suitable living accomidations.......

I have a friend there,, and they helped him,,,,, also..... go early.... and look around,,,meet some students....... and talk......

there are like 5000 american students there,,,,,, so you will have friends there that can advise you.....

good luck