Housing

Homestays

Homestays are a very different and unique option to choose when studying abroad. There are no language requirements for living in a homestay but it is an extremely challenging experience. There is the option to live in a homestay without roommates or with one or two roommates. There is also the option of having a homestay with cooked meals or without. Without a doubt, this housing option will not only improve your Italian language but will give an experience of complete immersion.

Some of the benefits of living in a Homestay are:
– Getting fully immersed in Italian family life.
– The quality of the food is amazing and a home-cooked meal every night is a plus!
– Becoming almost completely fluent in Italian, which makes your required Italian classes extremely easy.
– Living with people who truly know the Italian culture and language, especially that of Florence.

Some negatives of living in a Homestay are:
– The language barrier can be difficult.
– There is less community between students in this housing; it is often harder to meet students.
– The distance; a lot of the homestays are in outside areas of Florence and are not always located in the center of the city, as the residences are.
– In homestays with cooked meals, there can be the issue of always having to be home for dinner. A student does not always have to be home, but they must make arrangements ahead of time if they plan not to be there.

Off-Campus Residences

Off-Campus Residences are the most popular option chosen by students when they go to Florence. There is a definite appeal in the fact that they are similar to dorms at home. The bedrooms range from singles to rooms of four and each building has a Peer Advisor that has some similarities to the role of an R.A.

Here are some benefits to living in an Off-Campus Residence:
– They are usually in close proximity to the bus that takes you to campus.
– This type of housing has internet access.
– The ability to live with other students while still living in the same building as native Italians.
– The number of bathrooms.
– Beautiful patios and terraces
– Very comfortable rooms fully furnished by IKEA
– Cleaning and linens service provided.

Some negatives of living in an Off-Campus Residence:
– Many people living in a small space
– Living in the center of Florence makes it hard to escape tourists and really crowded streets
– Many of the residences have no dryers
– It can get very hot at night

Casa Fiorentina – Cultural Immersion House
You must apply to live here and it is very similar to an explorations floor in NYC.
You get the benefit of a big community and an Italian RHM lives with you which is a local professional Florentine who organizes many events for the residents throughout the semester.