Study abroad in Florence, Italy!?

Question

Hello everybody,

So I am planning on studying abroad in Florence, Italy. I am from California and was just wanting some opinions on the place. I was wondering what to expect? What I should do? Good places to go? Not good places to go? What the people are like? What I should bring? Just every little tid bit of information to make the experience a memorable one. Thank you to all who help out.

Answer 1

Florence is absolutely amazing! It is one of the most beautiful cities that i have ever visited. The people are really nice there. It is a completely different lifestyle then what it is in California. Everybody in Florence seems really laid back and content with their lives, there are not always rushing around like we are in California. There is always something to do or be seen anytime of the day. My girlfriends and i just wondered at night a found an old opera house converted into a theatre which was really cool. Make sure that when you go you bring your camera, you will want to take many many photos. You must go see the David, it will take your breath away. Also go wandering down the alleys around Il Duomo, in the cities center, there are a lot of good places for food, shopping and gelato! As for bringing items, just bring whatever you will need and if you forget something, you can just buy it there. Have a great time when your there.

Answer 2

I answered your first posting, but just in case you miss it, here's the answer again:

I'll break it into the categories you specified in your questions...

What to expect:

In terms of the look of the city, Florence is one of the most beautiful I've ever visited. It has amazing architecture, a relaxing atmosphere and mild weather. Being from California, you may find it to be a bit chilly in the winter, so I'd recommend either bringing or purchasing a jacket, but it rarely goes far below freezing. You'll have easy access to every major city in Italy via train or bus, and will be able to travel easily. Just keep in mind that the exchange rate will cut into your finances a bit.

Things to do & places to see:

First, I'd recommend simply wandering the streets to get your bearings. Because the city is so beautiful, it's actually a pleasure to simply explore your surroundings. Some of the specific areas and places you'll want to go include Ponte Vecchio--the famous bridge over the Arno River--and Piazzale Michelangelo--a beautiful square that gives a wonderful view of the city center. (Sunset is the most stunning time to be there.) The Piazza della Signoria is also a great place to simply stroll and take in the sites--many famous statues are placed around its perimeter. Of the many museums, I'd recommend the Bargello, which has one of the best collections of statues and sculptures in Europe, and the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, which holds some of Michelangelo's lesser known works. A friend who has lived in Florence for three years thinks that the Accademia (home of Michelangelo's David) is overrated, but it's still probably worth a visit. One place you absolutely should not miss is the Basilica di Santa Croce, which houses the remains of Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli. It also has a memorial for Dante, though he was buried elsewhere. There are really too many places to list, but those are the most well-known. As for places I wouldn't recommend, there honestly aren't any; I found that I enjoyed myself wherever I went.

What to bring:

This really depends on how long you're staying, but the only things I'd really recommend in any case would be a laptop, digital camera and any personal items you simply cannot live without. Most other things are relatively easy to find, though the prices may be a bit higher. As for entertainment, most films are dubbed in Italian, so you may want to bring some of your own (or be prepared to download). There is a good English bookstore, which shouldn't be too hard to find if you ask around.

The people:

One of the first things you'll notice is that Florentines have a certain elegance about them. They're stylish and exude a mild aloofness, though not necessarily in a bad way. Although it may occasionally be difficult to find someone who speaks English, they're very pleasant and friendly, particularly if you make an effort to speak to them in Italian. Most Italians are also much more social than Americans, and you'll often see them embracing or kissing one another on the cheek. Although it's entirely subjective, I personally find them to be wonderful people as long as you're not an "obnoxious foreigner."

A few other tidbits:

When you go out to dinner, be prepared to spend roughly $15 to $25 most of the time. It's rare to find a nice restaurant for less, though it's possible in some cases. You'll usually find that dinner lasts longer than in the States, and often consists of several courses. You can't go wrong with a good bottle of wine on the side. For a quick fill-me-up, grab a kebab from one of the many shops you'll find along the streets.

If you get the chance, take a day trip to Pisa, which is only about an hour and a half away by train, or explore the surrouding Tuscan countryside, which is quite beautiful, particularly in the spring and summer months. Also take a few days to explore Rome. You can find a few hotels very close to the train station for a good price, and most of the major sites are within reasonable walking distance.

I hope all of this helps, and good luck with the experience.