Study abroad in Rome or Florence?

Question

Hello. I'd like to spend a semester in Italy this fall, but I cannot decide whether I should go to Rome or Florence. I want to go somewhere where I will completely immersed in the culture, and I like to go off and explore places. As much as I appreciate culture, however, I do like to party and drink rather often. Which city would be the better fit?

Any experiences from study abroad students who lived in either of these cities would be much appreciated too. Thank you!

Answer 1

I live in Rome and have visited Florence. Though I haven't had a study abroad experience in either place, I would say that your best bet is Florence. As someone else mentioned, Rome is only 1hr and 30min by train. Plus being further north in Italy gives you a better chance to visit places like Milan, Venice, Assisi, Sienna, and Bologna. Rome is closer to Naples and the Amalfi coast, etc.

Don't get me wrong, I like Rome, but it's the big city culture I don't like, which is why I recommend Florence. It's big enough to have all one needs, but small enough to be more friendly and more real-life Italian. Either place will be inundated with tourists for good parts of the year.

So, it's up to you. If you like the big city attitude with a bit of culture and a lot of history, go with Rome. Just remember, there will be more stress (3 million people, constant strikes without notice, etc). If you like the culture, want to experience the more laid-back provincial Italian life style with less stress, and would prefer to travel to places in the North of Italy as opposed to the South, go with Florence. Either way, you should have no problem finding parties, and either city will offer you an experience you won't forget.

Answer 2

Im italian, and go there often. You would probably like Rome more. If you want to go to night clubs and all.

Answer 3

I think, Florence would be your best bet. I can guarantee that you will be immerced in culture, after all this is one of the birth places of the Renaissance. It is not as big as Rome but it has great universities and schools,  It is international environment, so many students and tourists visit it that you won't have problems to party there. And there is less crime in Florence as well.

Rome is just another big European city. You can always visit it from Florence (a couple of hours on a train will do the trick.)

Answer 4

I would say Florence. My cousin is currently there studying for a semester in Fashion. She has 2 roomates and they rented an apartment for 4 months. She loves Florence and she especially loves the nightlife. Their are a lot of students there, so it seems their is plenty of things always happening. My cousin arranged her classes so that she would be off from school every Friday. Because she is off on Fridays, she uses the 3 day weekends to travel all over Europe. She has been everywhere. She has taken weekend trips to almost every region of Italy and has also made it to Dublin, Paris, London, Nice, Barcelona and more. She has met so many great people & students along the way and they plan weekend escapades. To keep the cost down as a college student, they usually stay in hostels for their weekend adventures. I have heard some great stories from her about these trips. It's a once in a lifetime experience for you, so enjoy it. Also, I have been to Italy before and my favorite place in all of Italy is Florence. It's a walking city, with so little traffic. It's so easy to get around. After being there with my husband for a week, I felt like I lived there. The whole city of Florence looks like a postcard. Rome is exciting too, and has equally beautiful scenery as well. However, as a living arrangement, Florence seems easier to me because of traffic and transportation systems. And what better than completing schoolwork  'UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN.' :) :) Enjoy every moment of this adventure.. What memories you will make!!

Answer 5

I did a study abroad last summer in Italy. My study abroad was in the city of Bergamo. I would highly reccomend checking out this city. The reason why I loved it so much was not any tourist know anything on this city so you get to see what Italy is really like.

If you have your heart set on Florence and Rome I would defiently reccomend Florence. I have traveled a lot in Italy and Florence is one of my favorite cities. I loved it so much that I was married in Florence a few years ago. Florence has a small town type feel but it is defiently not a small town. I don't care to much from Rom because it is so busy with tourists everywhere. In Florence their are so many locations to just get anyway from your average tourist. It also is one beatuiful city.

Answer 6

Well, you'll be able to find plenty to explore in either city and probably plenty of places to party, too.  Both are pretty standard tourist spots, so I'm sure you'll be able to find nightlife to suit your tastes.  I would suggest buying (borrowing?  reading?) guidebooks to both cities to learn a bit more about what the scene is like there--most guidebooks, particularly those geared towards a younger set should tell you plenty about clubs/bars/party scene in any particular city.  The other thing to consider would be the programs available to you.  Since I don't think there's going to be an extreme difference in terms of nightlife, if you look hard enough, you might consider the differences of the classes you can take, or if you have a particular interest in history or art for example.  Both have both--Florence is beautiful and has many cultural points, Rome has tons of history and the Vatican museums.  I've only spent a few days in either, but I loved Rome.  Florence was beautiful, but I want to go back to Rome.

Answer 7

I'd say Rome if you like city life, going out etc. I lived in Florence 3 years - the city is nice, beautiful, but a bit boring. Also, there are so many tourists it's difficult to meet people. Rome has more variation and more things going on. Culturally, Florence is all Renaissance, opera, etc., Rome has a bit of everything.

Answer 8

I just returned two days ago from my study abroad semester in Rome.  I lived in Florence for a month, then we moved as a program to Rome (through the program AIFS-loved it, look it up!).  It was a great combination.  I would totally pick Rome over Florence, because Rome is a bigger city so there is much more to do, and you NEVER get bored.  Plus, there is amazing night life if you do like to party (from campo di fiori, to testachio, you cant get sick of it!).  Florence is wonderful, but after one month I was ready to leave, and it is one of the most American filled cities in terms of study abroad students, so most people speak English.  In rome, more speak italian, and I felt you got submerged in the culture much more there!