- What is your name?
Hailey - Please write a short intro about yourself
I am an American living in Florence as an art professor. - Why study or intern abroad in Florence?
For the art!! I came to study Italian, and found a job shortly after. This city is perfect for anyone interested in the arts. I studied my masters mostly on the Italian Renaissance in art, so it was obvious for me to come to Florence. - Is Florence a safe place to study abroad (perhaps mention also some nice/cool neighborhood to hang out) ?
I think it’s very safe. I’ve never felt threatened or in danger. There’s a lot that can be very confusing, but nothing dangerous. I lived in center while studying, and I recommend the Santa Croce area for students. - Cultural differences (food, family, work, etc..)
So many! Americans eat several things on one plate, but that’s not the norm in italy. I found most of the cultural differences to be better the Italian way, and I learned most of them after dating an Italian. - A fun story to share
During my study in Florence, i wanted to speak Italian well, without fear of making mistakes. The most embarrassed I’ve ever been with a mistake was when trying to explain that my ceiling was leaking in my apartment to the contractor that was coming to fix it. The whole time I used the word “tetta”thinking it was the word for “roof,” but in fact, “tetto” is roof and “tetta” is tit! 🤣 - What to pack before travelling to Florence?
Whatever you feel comfortable and beautiful in. Italian fashion can be daunting, but the majority of people follow similar fashion trends as we have in the US. Just be comfy and own your own style. - Must do weekend trips (ie. in Tuscany, Rome, Milan, etc…)
The Amalfi Coast is still one of the best trips I’ve ever done. I also love Cinque Terre, Venice, and the Tuscan countryside like Val D’orcia. For a nice day trip to thr beach, Piombino and Cecinia area is nice. I love to visit small towns in between the bigger cities. I like to take the train and stop off on smaller cities like Pistoia. - Any advice to the newcomers?
Come ready to challenge yourself. Living and staying in a foreign country is not easy, and takes a lot of patience. Take it easy on yourself and don’t take every miscommunication to heart… you’re doing your best! Try to speak Italian as much as you can, even if a local speaks English back to you. It’s the only way to really learn. Wake up early every once in a while and see the city while it’s empty. It’s a magic place in the morning.
Study Abroad Florence: Hailey from USA
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