Ultimate Guide to Study Abroad in Florence

By: Brianna Miller

The start of 2018 was phenomenal for me, as I had the opportunity to study abroad in Florence, Italy. Through my provider, Academic Studies Abroad, I settled in a new European city and had the experience of a lifetime.

Why ASA?

I first met ASA at an info session on my campus, and the representative proved to be passionate in helping students. I wasn’t aware of the array of places and universities that studying abroad can take you. You have the ability to choose the type of program based on your preferred location, school, duration, etc. It can be overwhelming in the beginning. But if you simply decide where you want to go, then the rest will follow, and you can settle on the program that best fits your needs.

After researching more about their program in Florence, I decided to go with ASA. They were there step-by-step through my decision-making process and to answer my questions/concerns as I approached the moment of departure. Their staff is reliable, informative, and kind.

Visa/ passports, etc.

There is a series of tasks outlined in a timeline guide by ASA that are to be completed prior to departure. After checking in with your home university and making necessary decisions regarding your academics, you must check if your passport is valid to acquire your Visa.

The Visa application process can be done in many cities, but it’s important to act EARLY, as appointments fill up and travel delays can happen. In order to receive a Student Visa, you must book your departure and return flights to Italy; ASA will give you the dates and can help you along the way.

Finally stepping on the Tuscan soil in January was invigorating and relieving!

A staff member greeted jet-lagged students at the Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola and lead us to vans, which would later drop us off at their apartments.

Why Florence?

Going abroad is a big step, and it may not be for everyone. However, the leap it took for me to go resulted in an adventure that changed my outlook on life and granted me with amazing memories.

I chose Florence because I’ve always wanted to go to Italy and ASA’s Florence program/school was the best fit for my academics. The capital of Italy’s Tuscany region is iconic, because it is the birthplace of the Renaissance and home to many art and architecture masterpieces, such as the Duomo, Michelangelo’s “David” statue, and Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus”... just to name a few.

Florence was a great place to study abroad because there is so much to discover in the few miles you can walk around the city center. It’s a city that is just right: not too big where it can be overwhelming and not too small where the excitement can dwindle.

ASA’s housing options

Adjusting to a new environment is always tough for me, but I welcomed it.

Florence is just the right city to study in. I became accustomed to my surroundings as the weeks turned into months. I lived in an apartment adjacent to the Piazza del Republica, whose location was a great place to reside.

Outside of my apartment- we were 3 looooong flights of stairs up

An inside look at my apartment- featuring the kitchen and a bit of the living room (with our TV which was included in the apartment)

ASA’s housing options for all of their program locations range from residence halls at the universities, apartments, or host-families in your city, but ASA Florence students only have the option of living in apartments. There can be other ASA students in your building, study abroad students from other providers, local Italians or any combination of the three. You definitely get an authentic experience living in an apartment in the city.

Food/grocery shopping

My roommates, who were also from UNH, and I would often cook together or go out for a bite to eat. We would shop at Conads (the local grocery store), farmer’s markets, or the Centro Mercato, where people picked up groceries for their meals later that day. The busiest times for food-shopping were mid-afternoon or after the work-day, so I recommend going your first few times earlier in the morning to get the hang of it.

The zig-zag of the isles in Conads are tight and often crowded, so go with a list and be prepared to wait in line. Be ready to bag your own groceries and bring a reusable grocery bag if you don’t want to pay extra for one. Our favorite dishes to make included breaded chicken, roasted vegetables, and (of-course) pasta with pesto sauce, which go accordingly with the Mediterranian Diet throughout the regions in Italy.

Where to dine out

If you go out to eat in Florence, you’re guaranteed a meal that somehow exceeds any maximum expectations you could have. Breakfast isn’t a big production, but if you crave goodies like pancakes and avocado toast, head to Le Vespe or Rooster Cafe! For lunches and dinners, pasta and pizza is a specialty, and can be most enjoyed at restaurants like Yellow Bar, Gusta Pizza, Trattoria Za Za, Odysseia, and Acqua al Due.

Of course, dessert goes hand-in-hand with dinner, so check out the best places for gelato, including La Carraia, Amorino, Venchi, Edoardo, and Gelato dei Neri. The wait-staff and employees at these restaurants became familiar with us, so we would often talk with them when we came in to eat. They greeted us with smiles and a friendly “ciao!”

Culture in Florence

The atmosphere in the city is awe-inspiring. The place that captures it all, without a doubt, is Piazzale Michelangelo. This artist is highly-appreciated in Florence, because he is responsible for the sculpture of David, in the Museo di Academia, and the architecture that populates most of the city. Activities/mini-excursions, such as touring a museum and climbing the Duomo, were organized by ASA within the first few months of your stay. You can also look up tours on your own time and get tickets online.

Pro tip: the first Sunday of each month most museums are free to visit, so that would be a great day to go.

Across the Ponte Vecchio, the Piazzale Michelangelo rests at the top of a tough (but well-worth it!) hike. Seeing the city from a distance allows you to reflect on your journey. Picturing the hustle and bustle from miles away creates space, so you can value everything in front of you. Take a few friends, bring some snacks, and gaze at the irreplaceable view. Sometimes, there is music too, which is inviting.

ASA friends at the top of Piazzale Michelangelo

View of Florence from Piazzale Michelangelo

Daily activities

Each day, I walked around and was astounded by the culture, language, and feeling in the air. Whether it’s day or night, the city is the perfect kind of busy (which escalates during tourist season in April-September). Music can be heard from just about every corner, and young families or older couples walk together with smiles. You can explore Florence in your free-time by walking or biking on the cobblestone sidewalks/pathways. The app, MoBike, will become your friend! Everything in Florence can be accessed within about a 15-20 minutes walking distance.

Look up, stay aware.

For students, a gentle reminder would be to keep your purse or wallet close to your chest and don’t look down at your phone, as this persuades locals to distract you or even attempt to take your belongings. When I first got to Florence, I would look up directions prior to leaving wherever I was, which allowed me to keep my eyes looking towards where I was headed, whether it was class, the grocery store, or a cafe, and leave my phone in my messenger bag. This way, I was protecting myself, and also not relying too much on technology. It’s a win win.

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The weekends

On the weekends, my friend group and I would head to The Lion’s Fountain or Red Garter for some live music, dancing, or karaoke night, which are SO fun! After a week of classes or prepping for travel, we welcomed the night-life where we could all hangout together in our new home. The energy is fun and lively, with music as the universal language. Songs that were popular in the U.S. were also played in Italy! On our way back to our apartment, we would scout the best places for a late-night snack. Kebabs, which are surprisingly just a delicious burrito, are featured in very few restaurants. By the time you leave, you’ll discover a few secret bakeries, which begin making baked-goods at about 3am in preparation for the next morning, and they sell them to people that know their location for one euro per pastry.

Classes/ academics

To study abroad is to balance your time between travel, leisure activities, classes and homework. My classes at Florence University of the Arts contributed to my overall course completion when I returned to UNH, so receiving good grades was important to me. The classes are scattered in different buildings throughout the city, so walking to them was a pleasure, not to mention a history lesson in itself.

Many buildings have remained untouched for hundreds of years, displaying authenticity and true grace. The teachers are so passionate about the material and are eager to hear from American students on how they are adjusting to life abroad. They love to hear your insight regarding your coursework, but they also ask about which city you’ll visit next, which dish you’ve been amazed by, or how life there compares to back home.

I had classes from Tuesday to Thursday, which allowed me to take trips on the weekends and not rush back. The classes were held once a week, so they lasted for almost 3 hours with a few breaks in between to go outside or grab coffee close by, which was a custom that professors and students stood by.

The subjects I studied while abroad focused on writing and literature, assisting my English concentration. I took Elementary Italian, Travel Writing, Exploration of Wine-culture in various Italian cities, and Authors of the Grand Tour Literary Movement in Italy as classes. These subjects counted towards course requirements I had to fulfill back at UNH, so my track to graduation was not disturbed by studying abroad. Depending on your schedule and qualifications in your major, many students can complete necessary classes while abroad, or discovery classes that go towards general education. Overall, there are many ways you can make your schedule a great fit.

There are many preconceptions about academics in other countries, so I want to explain a bit more about my academics. My course load was mostly short-essays or worksheets about the material. The duration was usually a week and a half to complete and submit, via an online portal or in-class. Grading was similar to the U.S., where you received a letter grade, but the scaling is a bit different. Just remember that every university has a different grading system and curriculum/course load.

Study spots

I often made an appearance to the Biblioteca delle Oblate, which is a library that features a deck stretching around the exterior of the building, and clear view of the top of the Duomo.

If I didn’t go to the library, I resided in a cafe with tables and wifi to complete assignments. My favorite cafes included La Menagere, Ditta Artigianale, Sit’N’Breakfast, Caffe Dolce Amaro, and Libreria Cafe La Cite. These study-spots were the perfect way to become accustomed to the city and get your work done. With a cappuccino and a few friends by your side, writing an essay or prepping for a test felt like less of an obligation.

Shopping/clothes

To have a nice study-break, my friends and I would spend an afternoon around the city, finding ourselves at stores like Zare and H&M. This was helpful because they were adjacent to the Piazza del Republica, where we lived, and near one of the Leather Markets. During my time there, in the spring, it was colder and rainier than usual, so I had to adjust to the weather and buy warmer clothes. The style of the brand stores is the same with those back in the U.S. The leather markets and local stores (often hidden) are more persuasive in getting you to buy more, so bargain if you can and be firm with the final amount you’re willing to spend.

Traveling to other Italian cities

During my semester, I was able to visit other Italian cities and small towns, including Rome, Siena, Pienza, Lucca, Montelcino, Cinque Terre, Venice, and the Amalfi Coast. I definitely recommend visiting these cities and small towns, as it offers a different side of the country than your host-city. These can be completed in a day or weekend depending on the pace you like to go during your day. Almost all of them have something to offer that contributes to the positive reputation of Italy. For instance, Montelcino and Pienza are known for their wine and cheese, while the Amalfi Coast is home to limoncello and beautiful coastal views.

Transportation

The train system is a great way to explore these cities and towns in Italy. The locals love using it! The Santa Maria Novella station is easy to navigate and in-expensive. Grab a few friends and spend the day to, as my friend Ian would say, “know your city.” Tickets can be accessed from the ItaliaRail website, which ASA informs you of. Make sure when planning your trip, you select the right date and departure time, as well as return date and time. Head to the station earlier than you think, as it’s better to check your track and have time to wait than rush and get delayed.

Taxis

You can get around the city via taxi if places are too far to walk or you are uncomfortable walking alone late at night. Additionally, the airport in Florence is accessible via taxi; students are encouraged to schedule (via phone call) taxi trips ahead of time to avoid delays in your travel plans. ASA will inform you of the number to call, so keep that saved in your phone. Most drivers are familiar with English, so try to be clear about the pick-up location, steering clear of landmarks and tourists attractions but rather street signs or outside your apartment for easier access and less confusion.

Other travel and tips

In addition to local travel, I organized international trips with friends to Switzerland, Spain, France, Ireland, and Germany. International trips usually last for a couple of days or more if you really want to see and experience these countries, so save them for a few weekends throughout your semester. Planning these trips was part of the fun, as we scheduled numerous events and attractions to visit. A few highlights included La Sagrada Familia in Spain, the winter-town of Interlaken in Switzerland, The Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, and DisneyLand in Paris, The Cliffs of Moher and Guiness Factory in Ireland, and SpringFest in Munich, Germany. These sites are incredible, and can be organized easily through various travel companies, including GetYourGuide and Airbnb. My friends and I always laughed at the end of these trips because we knew we were returning to our “home”, Florence.

I can truly say everything was “molto bene” when I think about my time abroad in Florence, Italy. ASA was alongside the journey every step of the way, with staff that was respectful, trustworthy, and reliable. Going abroad granted me with confidence, strength, and optimism; it was a change in surroundings enriched with beauty everywhere. I met amazing people, traveled to places I’ve only read about, and learned both inside and outside of the classroom. I plan on visiting again, to see the city that is so special to me.