Università degli Studi di Firenze

Eat in Via San Gallo, Via del Romito (nice "mensa"!), get to know Mario (smile), buy a used bike (public transport is an adventure anyway), almost all bars have "happy hours", many free concerts in the Cascine in summer, great market in the Cascine once a week.

If you really want to learn Italian you simply have to go to Italy. The people are very nice, helpful and thankful for every "grazie" and "Ciao". Don't be afraid of talking but never forget that Italians are very polite people - they would never correct you if you don't ask them to! The city of Florence pays for a language class (Via Morgani). The Italian spoken in and around Florence (toscano) is really nice and you'll soon pick up an accent.

A year after having studied in Florence I'm still in love with the city and Tuscany. I had the time of my life and can only strongly recommend a stay there. True, Italy is different but if you take things easy, open your heart and mind you'll have a great time. Easy on the tasty food, tough... it's sooo easy to put on weight. Contact me, if you want to know more. Ciao a tutti.

Weekly student meeting in the Cardillac (Via degli Alfani) - ask for the AEGEE guys Mario (always has tickests for the coolest clubs), Luigi, Alessio, Roberto (born organisers). Don't miss: Full up, the Latin American disco "Jaraguar", The Central Park, concerts in Santo Spirito, for chocolate Lovers: Hemingway (even have chocolate spoons!!), also don't miss the different "sagre"!! Avoid cafès , bars etc. in the center/near Ponte Vecchio - they are tourist traps!

The University of Florence does not provide any accommodation at all but it's quiet easy to find something nice if you start looking early (September). Really helpful: La Pulce where you find many ads every week. People advertise free rooms also in Piazza Brunelleschi and on campus. Don't pay agencies for addresses - you can find the same in the Pulce.