Istituto Lorenzo de Medici (IDM)

Be willing to travel to the city outskirts in order to shop from a supermarket that you're used to in the states. There's none in the city center but you'll save much more by walking 30 minutes to it and taking the bus back with your groceries. Buying from the mom & pop corner store in a pinch is alright but it can get expensive. Also, seek out the markets that the locals go to to get produce and meats cheap. Also, this is Italy, reduce the urge to spend insanely on clothes and shoes. Have a few drinks before going out as well to stem the cost of nightlife.

Email me if you need any information and/or help with choices during your trip. Travel to other countries as much as possible but also travel within Italy as much as possible as well. You may return to Europe later in your life to visit a major city but how many times are you going to get back to those little, culturally enriched tuscan countryside towns??

I went to Italy have never spoken Italian in my entire life. The Italians are so willing to help you out with the language and relish the opportunity to enhance their english by attempting to help you learn italian. If you go in with an open mind and embrace the culture and learning a new language there's no end to how much you can advance with the language. It's frustrating and difficult at first, as learning a new language always is. But if you're willing to continue to work at it you'll go far. The locals really appreciate you at least attempting to speak Italian, even if you're not even close. They see that as an extremely nice gesture on your part and will treat you accordingly and help you out with whatever you need in order to learn. Try and speak Italian as much as possible.

Any housing offered in Italy needs to be taken with an open mind. Housing in a major city such as Firenze is much different then the housing and utilities we're used to here in the U.S. I thought the location was absolutely amazing, directly in the heart of the city. The utilities and services were exactly what I expected and you're forced to adapt. If you have a low level of adaptability and can't easily adjust to a new culture of living then it could be difficult. You must have an open mind.

There's so much to see and do in Florence. I wrote up a 12-page information packet for my friends that studied there. I couldn't possibly list everything here. For night spots hit up Meccano, Red Garter, Dolche Zucchero, Yab, JJ's Cathedral.