- What is your name?
Annie Thomas - Please write a short intro about yourself
I’m originally from India, I quit my 9-5 job in finance to study interior design in Florence. I did a two year course and met a lot of fun people as well as my now husband. - Why study or intern abroad in Florence?
Florence is the perfect size for students and interns as you don’t really need a car, and can move around on foot or public transport. It’s also a beautiful place to experience as the architecture makes you feel like you’re living in a charming old town with a modern twist. Also it’s a great choice for those that don’t speak Italian and less expensive than milan which is bigger and not as charming . - Is Florence a safe place to study abroad (perhaps mention also some nice/cool neighborhood to hang out) ?
It’s an amazing and safe place to live in, you can walk outside without worrying about your safety. . It’s a great place to meet people as there are lots of cool places to hang out, to study and to go for aperitivos. San frediano, santo spirito, and San Ambrogio are some cool and fun places to go to! You can also find lots of fun mercatos that sell vintage,clothes and accessories as well some farmers markets. - Cultural differences (food, family, work, etc..)
With regards to food I had zero complaints, as I shared my first apartment with some other students I did have a lot of fun, but we did get scammed by the landlord and that’s something to watch out for. Apart from that the biggest shock I had was how relaxed people were, 90% of the time I found that people were never punctual and turned up late for work meetings and interviews. - A fun story to share
While it’s hard to pin point just one specific story, I’d have to say that getting lost in rome would’ve had to be one of the best experiences I’ve had, we very spontaneously booked our train tickets to rome without planning where to stay, and when we arrived we ( were in two) decided to just keep walking around with no particular goal, and we discovered so many hidden streets and places, met some very kind locals and even managed to find a place to stay for the following 3 days. Experiences are so much more fun and exciting when you don’t quite plan out each and every detail of your trip and you just explore and let the little charming streets guide you and help you discover some amazing hidden gems! - What to pack before travelling to Florence?
Definitely a good adapter, a great pair of comfy shoes because you’re going to be walking more than you think! Apart from the usual clothes and basic toiletries definitely make sure you carry something that’s special to you from home, something that wouldn’t be easily available here. If you’re traveling to Florence for work/studies make sure you have every possible document you can think of because the questura is going to be a place you’re going to despise. Apart from that, you can find anything else you’d need here. - Must do weekend trips (ie. in Tuscany, Rome, Milan, etc…)
Definitely rome, lake Como, Bologna ( also filled with students ) Pisa, San giminiano, saturno( natural hit springs) Milan, the Dolomites ( of you’re into mountains and lakes) Sorrento, cinque terra, viareggio - Any advice to the newcomers?
Learn Italian it’s going to be a huge plus. Get an international drivers license for weekend getaways, be aware of the law ( for renting apartments) don’t buy a brand new bicycle ( lots of them get stolen) never lean your phone or bag unattended even when you’re at the table at an outdoor restaurant. People snatch and run! Always buy a ticket when you use public transport.
Study Abroad Florence: Annie from India
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