Located in the heart of Tuscany, this medieval city clearly stands out as a cultural, historical, and academic center in Italy. With an urban population of roughly 400,000 people, Florence is a city vast in area but effortlessly maintains its small-town charm. In this truly efficient city, you will find that you are able to walk to any major area in roughly twenty minutes. The Vespucci airport and the Florence train station are both easily accessible and allow students to travel throughout Italy and Europe whenever they wish. With the rolling waters of the Arno River bisecting the city, each terracotta rooftop and cobblestone street tells a story by blending the old city's traditional structures with modern shops, designer boutiques, and art galleries. Leather goods, olive oil, ceramics, wine, and Florentine stationery are just some of the products that Florence is famous for producing. Around every corner of this enchanting city, you will be able to discover Italian culture at its finest.

From the very beginning you will notice that things are different in Florence: The look and style of the streets, the way people stroll every evening, the taste and smell of food, the sounds of voices and traffic. These are the tangible things that you will notice right away. To understand and become comfortable in your new environment, you have to start getting used to the city, the ways of your household and the habits and tastes of your new Italian friends and acquaintances. Soon you will start to see the reasons behind Italian customs, and you will come to enjoy your ability to fit in. Be prepared for a wonderful adventure that brings you towards an understanding of Italy and its people, as well as a new understanding of yourself and your American heritage.

THE ITALIAN CULTURE

MODERATION
One of the most fundamental rules of Italian culture is moderation. At first glance, Italians might seem to drink a lot, but upon a closer look, quite the opposite is true. They do drink - spumante to celebrate, limoncello to digest, aperitivo to taste and vino to mix with food - but with moderation, not in order to get drunk. In fact, the quickest way to lose the respect of your Italian friends and neighbors is to get drunk in public. Drinking on the streets is also considered very disrespectful. Keep in mind, the legal drinking age is 16 years old.

THE ITALIAN PACE
In Italy, patience is truly a virtue. Take a restaurant, for instance. Italian servers may seem to be ignoring you, but in reality, they just like to give customers time and space to talk and socialize. The slower pace and long waits also apply to many public offices and events. Lines in offices are often long and service is not very efficient compared to U.S. standards. Offices do not always open on time and events do not start promptly. Italians do not like to stress over things, but rather tend to relax and enjoy life to the fullest with a slower pace. And since you are a foreigner in Italy, try to make an effort to adapt to this culture.

SOCIETY
Family has a very important role in Italy and life revolves around the family. The majority of young adults move out of the family homes very late (in their thirties), partly because of unbearably high living expenses, and partly due to strong sentimental attachments to the family.Dating rituals are complex and very different from the U.S. For example, it will often take months, even years, before a dating couple actually goes out alone. The beginning of a relationship is always filled with group outings and only after quite some time does a couple separate itself from the group. Since the majority of Italian young adults live with their parents, the occasions to invite boyfriends or girlfriends to their house are also rare. Living together before marriage is slowly gaining popularity, but many people still condemn "illegal couples."

How will I improve my Italian?

Perhaps the most gratifying part of living in Italy will be the thrill of learning to communicate in another language. The ability to understand what people say in ordinary speech and to reply in a similar form is often the strongest immediate goal of students studying abroad. Your language classes will deepen your understanding of what you hear, and widen your repertoire of possible responses. The new Italian friends you make in social gatherings will be your most constant teachers of everyday speech. The best advice is not to hang out with other English speakers all the time. There are many Americans and other English-speakers in Florence, so you may find it challenging to meet locals, but your efforts will pay off. You have chosen the absolute best way to learn a language. In bocca al lupo!

Make sure not to miss:

- The Duomo and Baptistery in the central piazza
- The church of San Lorenzo and the surrounding outdoor market
- The Uffizi Art Gallery, one of the oldest and most famous art museums in the world
- The Accademia Art Gallery, home to Michelangelo's David
- The Bargello museum, housing the largest Italian collection of gothic and Renaissance sculptures
- Piazza Michelangelo and its magnificent views of the city
- The Ponte-Vecchio bridge, built in 1345 to replace an ancient wooden bridge
- The church of Santa Croce, which houses the tombs of Ghiberti, Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and Galileo

Parla Inglese? Do you speak English?
Non parlo Italiano. I don't speak Italian
Permesso. Excuse me. (Used when you want to cut through a crowd.)
Prego. The response to 'permesso'
Vada via! Go away! (Used when people are bothering you)
Aiuto! Help! (If Vada via! Is not effective.)
Come sta? How are you?
Buon giorno. Good morning/afternoon
Buona sera. Good evening. (In Firenze, 'buona sera' is used after 1 p.m.)
Arrivederci. Goodbye
Non capisco. I don't understand
Come si chiama? What is your name?
Che ore sono? What time is it?
Dov'e' l'albergo? Where is the hotel?
Dov'e' un telefono? Where is a telephone?
Dov'e' il bagno? Where is the restroom?
Attenzione! Caution, look out!
Quanto costa? How much is it?
Il conto. the bill
Sono vegetariano/a. I am a vegetarian.