How to study abroad in Florence, Italy. Top Ten Useful Tips: Part 2

Now let's get to the second part of our guide to studying in Florence or any other city in Italy. We hope that you will find the tips we gave in the first chapter useful, because we did a tremendous job, as I remember it.

For those new to this page, the information below will guide you through this article. To help you master the material, we've divided the tips into three separate posts:

Part I. Tips for Studying Abroad in Florence: Preparing for Departure and Arrival

1. Money

2. Collections

3. All about Arriving

Part II: Tips for studying abroad in Florence: Checking in & Great Orientation

1. Telephone & Internet

2. Going around town

3. Food

4. Everyday Life

Part III: Tips for studying abroad in Florence: Advanced Travelers

1. Apartments in Italy

2. Study Places

3. Communications with Italians

The tips in Part III are for those who have already planned out their day and are ready to call Italy their second home. You have to be prepared for emergencies (related to heat, water, gas). You will need to have a den or just a favorite place to be recognized, where you can work and of course make Italian friends. So, go for it!"

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In part two, we'll touch on a few key points that will be helpful to know right after packing your suitcase. They will help you start living Italian style with all its inherent confusions, complexities and, God forbid of course, headaches. If you've already encountered any problems and obstacles, don't worry, if only because you're not alone and are on the right track.

Housing & Excellent Orientation
4.Phone & Internet (How to buy a phone and access the Internet, a little bit about the plans and how to call or email that you are alive)
5. Getting around the city (How to get from point A to point B in the city on foot, bike or public bus).
6. Food (Key words, tips, pros and cons of the best food in the world*)
7. Daily life (Buying groceries, doing laundry and going to the doctor)

 *This is a common opinion among Italians. If you have a different viewpoint, let them know. However, if you only ate Italian food in America, consider that your opinion means nothing.

Telephone and Internet

Work with what you have:

In Italy, everyone is different about money, phone and Internet. Rate plans have always been expensive (although that is changing). During the day, the average Italian very rarely uses the phone. Instead of phone calls, they send SMS because it is probably the cheapest and most convenient way to communicate. Students who arrive and use their Italian phones (with an expensive rate) as if they were in America quickly realize that this is how they waste money at a cosmic rate. There are some great ways to get past such mistakes if you need to make a local call in Italy (about long distance calls, below).

1. To get a good plan, plan. Some plans are better than others, just like plans can be better than others depending on: 1. where you live 2. how you want to use your phone. If you love to call or text often, ask about a plan that will suit you. Depending on whether you like to call or text more, you'll get a specific plan. That way, you can save a lot of money.

2. Call your friends. One of the popular features of calling plans in Italy is the so-called "buddy system" ("buddy calls"). This means that you can make free calls between phones with the same plan.

3. Remember old school. This is a useful motto in most situations in Italy. When it comes to the phone, sometimes you have to pretend that you don't have a cell phone at all. In case of a difficult financial situation, don't waste money on calls, but make the effort to talk to the person in person or by e-mail.

4. Answer, but don't call. In Italy, unlike in the U.S., phone calls are always free. Absolutely all of them. If your parents call from elsewhere in the world, it's free for you. If your friends have a different calling plan, it's free, too, of course. You only pay when you call yourself. (Tip: phone etiquette has always been valued in Italy. If you take a call, try to keep it short).

5. "Squillo" ("ring"). I suggest learning the art of "squillo." When someone calls, stay away from the phone and press "hang up. The number will show up in missed calls, and no one will spend any money. Thus, there is a new meaning of the word "squillo". For example, you can send an SMS saying, "Let's meet downstairs after squillo," which is very convenient and easy. It may sound ridiculous, but it honestly does work (as long as this method is not abused and makes someone call back so that they don't have to pay for the call themselves).

We're getting closer to the topic of international calls. For example, for calls to the U.S., you have many options, most of which will require an Internet connection. In Italy, however, the Internet as a means of making a phone call is rarely used. And, unlike most streets in America, you won't find Wi-Fi in every nook and cranny in Florence (although there is more Wi-Fi now). Wi-Fi is tried in many Internet cafes, bars and other public places. Ten years ago, there were only two places in this city where you could use Wi-Fi. Still, this kind of connection to the world has its pros and cons. Without Wi-Fi, you spend less of your precious time on the computer and spend more time communicating live. But Facebook can come in handy if you're homesick, for example.

One of the biggest advantages of having Internet is that you can use it to save money on calls home. Skype has always been a popular way to stay in touch. Want your friends to be able to call you for free? Create a Skype Number, and they can call your account while you're online, where they can also chat. To use it, you need a Gmail account and another working cell phone, which you should set up before you sign out of your account. Otherwise, it won't be possible to do it with a European ISP. It is said that this is not how Google Voice will work abroad, but we have had no problems using it abroad. It may depend on your Internet access, on where you are. Regardless, we were able to call home for free from our gmail account using google phone. It can also be a lifesaver on those rare occasions when, for example, you need to call the bank and they make you wait 15 minutes. Instead of sitting around watching money being wasted on Skype, you can make a call with google, which is totally free. Also, if you are online and have gmail open, you can receive calls from anywhere in the world. You can be sent text messages and emailed voice messages, (only this art isn't perfected yet). Where would we be without all this, guys?

Internet access in Italy

If your new Italian home has no internet access, no need to worry, there are options.

1. Internet cafes. Internet is chargeable, and prices here are lower if you buy a few hours at once.

2. Bars with WiFi. Many bars now offer free WiFi during the day for students if they want to study or check email, for example. Calling home from the bar would be a bad idea, but it's a good place to work and drink coffee. (In Part III, we'll look at more interesting places in town where you can do your homework.)

3. USB cable. If you need Internet at home, you can connect a USB cable to your computer. Note: some of you may be upset when you realize that it is hard to find something inexpensive to connect to the MAC. The whole process can be expensive and not as efficient as you would like, so make sure you really need a USB cable. To prepare, you need one of the operators mentioned below.

Tips on buying a phone and choosing an operator:

The main operators used in Italy are Wind, TIM and Vodafone. They are European operators, so you can use them when you travel around Europe (with a more expensive tariff, of course). We've used all of them at one time or another, so we know they don't differ much from each other. Choose one or the other operator depending on the phone itself and whether they have reliable service where you live. In a city like Florence, service can vary. If you live with a host family, ask which operator they have. If you have a neighbor, find out from him which operator he likes best. You don't want to have to go out every time you need to make a call.

When you go to buy, make sure you have your passport with you, which may be required to get some information about you. Next, choose a phone and a data plan. Most plans include a certain number of minutes or texts.

After you set up your phone, you will be responsible for topping up your account on it. You can choose the following:

1. Stand in a specific line to the cashier (it's a little easier to buy something with a lot of money or pay with a credit card that way).

2. Buy a card at Tabacchi (a popular tourist store in Italy that sells tickets, cigarettes, phone cards and a lot of other things) with which you can make an advance payment. Just go there and ask

"ricarica" TIM, WIND or Vodaphone for 5, 10 or 25 euros. They will ask for a card or a phone number. The card ("scheda") has a mark on the back, which you remove with a coin. After removing the layer, you will see a long number. Call it, follow the instructions, and enter the code.

Carry your phone:

Many students choose to take their smartphones from the States. Since many use their phones primarily as a camera, it's clear why. A few key points to keep in mind:

1. If your phone is "unlocked" (meaning it accepts any carrier's SIM card), you won't be able to make calls on that phone in Italy. Be careful with a jailbroken phone, as you won't be able to use it in Europe as promised by foreign operators. We had to buy a special phone, but we heard that you can ask the operator to unlock it. This is recent news, so don't quote us.

2. An American phone with an appropriate calling plan will be able to receive and make calls, just quite expensive. Even if you don't answer the phone or just get a text message, you can get charged. It can be very, very expensive after a long stay abroad. If you want to take your phone for any reason, be sure you know all the setup rules.

3. If you want to use your phone in Italy regardless of all the upcoming charges, be sure to check with your carrier before you leave. We've seen bills with four digits, so be careful! Don't believe it? Read this NY Times article (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/14/travel/how-to-beat-roaming-fees-while-traveling-abroad.html?_r=0) about the amazing case of how one man lost $11,000 to his phone after a four-day vacation in Jamaica.

Moving around town

Your feet are your friends:

You'd be surprised how much you'll walk. In a small city like Florence, a student has to get around exclusively on foot. However, if your host family or friend lives far from the city, it will be helpful to know a little about the local transportation system.

Local transportation - cabs, buses and bikes

Taxis

In Italy, cabs are always reliable, though not cheap. Note: to order a cab in Florence, you have to call a phone number. You can't catch a cab on the street, but at airports and train stations you don't have to call one. If you are at a hotel, ask to have a car ordered for you. If you have a phone, pick a number (055.4242, 055.4390 or 055.4798 in Florence) and tell them your address. They will put you on a waiting list and tell you a little later where the cab is and the number and make of the car. It helps if you and several people are competing for a cab at the same time.

Some cab services will let you order a car very early, others will not. Pre-booking may be for an additional fee. When they arrive, they call and let you know where the car is. Just answer something like "Arrivo" ("I'm coming") and get out.

Buses

While many people love to walk around the city, there are many buses in downtown Rome. Tourists use them in Florence if it's raining or if it's too far to walk. Buses in Italy tend to be large and orange (hard to miss), and route maps can be found at the train station. Schedules are clear enough, but you already know what force majeure can happen in Italy. Don't set the time on your watches and phones based on their schedules. Always try to check or ask someone who might know (the bus driver), and you can also look on this website (http://www.ataf.net/tp/bw.aspx).

Bus tickets can be obtained from the "tabbachi" store. You can get a ticket for one, two, four trips or a reusable card. Keep them in your wallet. When you get on the bus, there is no need to show your ticket to the driver. Instead, go to one of the two orange boxes on the bus (one at the beginning and one at the end of the bus), stamp the ticket and stash it back in your wallet. The multi-fare card is usually in electronic form and is usually activated by leaning it against the machine and hearing a beep.

The ticket costs about 1.25 to 1.50 euros, depending on the city. Each time, a classified inspector gets on the bus, waits until the doors close, and then starts checking everyone's tickets. If there is no ticket, they charge a fine of about 50 euros. If you don't have cash on you, they make you get off the bus and send you to the ATM to pay the fine. No kidding. We advise you not to take any chances.

Note: if you ride in public transport, always keep an eye on your wallet, bag or backpack. If you have a backpack with you, take it off and put it on your lap or at least just keep it in view. That way, you won't hit the old lady behind you. Oh, speaking of old ladies! Make room for them in transportation.

Bikes

The bicycle for the student is the best way to get around town. However, if you are afraid of cycling, high-speed roads, piles of cars, and have poor coordination, perhaps a bicycle is not the best choice for you. Italian drivers treat cyclists the same way they treat motorists and ride alongside them. It's a beautiful "dance" that will begin after you "fly out" into the tiny Italian streets and try to stay as far away from the passing cars as possible while keeping your speed up.

If you haven't lost your desire to buy a bicycle, the following information will come in handy. We know a few stores where you can rent or buy a new bike at a discount. Check out the FlorenceByBike store, for example. It's worth noting that the bike paint you'll find on sale at a discount at lesser-known stores (about 50 euros) has been stolen. If you want to get your bike the legal way, we recommend the more expensive stores (like Sergio Bianchi). There is another popular organization, Cooperativa Ulisse, where bicycle sales are held every week (usually the bikes are confiscated from young hooligans, then repaired and resold). Every Monday or Tuesday they post information about it online. You have to go to their website the moment they post to let them know your name and choose your item. This is a convenient way to make a reservation because you can choose the bike you like right away. The following Friday, you can go to the store and look at it. If you don't show up, the store will move on to the next name on the wish list to purchase the bike. And if you did come, congratulations! You just got a great bike for a great price. Plus, it's not stolen.

If you manage to buy a bike but don't have a place to store it safely (in your yard or apartment), we recommend at least finding three locks - for the wheels, the seat and the basket.

Food

One of the perks of being in Italy is the food that this great country has to offer. Do yourself a favor and promise to try something new every day. Even if you have tried a product before. Tomatoes, for example. Tomatoes in Italy are different from the gelatinous cardboard we eat at home. Try something that feels familiar to you. Pasta with squid ink? Roast wild boar? We'd say everything - the familiar and the unfamiliar - tastes better in Italy. But then again, we're biased.

Each region of Italy prepares a particular dish differently. For example, if you're in Bologna, try the Bolognese sauce, then head somewhere else and try it again. Notice how different the sauce is in two different cities? The real fun begins when you ask the Italians whose sauce is better. Italians are EXTREMELY passionate about their food. If you do ask them, they will talk your ear off. We once talked to a woman at the market who spent twenty minutes explaining to us how tiramisu in Genoa is different from tiramisu in Florence. We really don't remember her answer, but we do recall that the tiramisu in Genoa was mind-blowing.

Each region has its own gastronomic traditions, so always ask about local specialties. You can try pumpkin ravioli in Ferrara, but you won't find exactly the same in Rome, so don't settle for the second option! Plus, when you try something like this, you'll know the true taste of Italian food.

With these traditional restaurants, there are those that offer modern versions of old-fashioned dishes. They mix and match, trying new combinations that you haven't tried before in traditional restaurants. One of our favorite places in Florence is Osteria Santo Spirito. At first glance it seems to serve typical Italian dishes, but after eating there you'll have a different opinion about Italian cuisine (see our blog on our favourite traditional and non-traditional restaurants at http://selectstudyabroad.com/2010/01/florence-food/).

Types of places

There are many types of places: café, bar, tasting room, pizzeria, trattoria, osteria and restaurant... It used to be that these establishments included cuisine with a certain focus, everything was clearly separated. In America, they try to give the names of restaurants an Italian sound, which is quite difficult for Americans. In Italy, they recognize that all of these names do have meaning, and so there is a clear division in this country.

1. Restaurants ("Ristorante" is pronounced ree-sto-RAHN-tay)

The term "restaurant" generally refers to expensive establishments. They have reservations, the service is professional, the food is traditional and the price is slightly higher.

Trattoria ("trattoria" is pronounced tra-toh-REE-ah)

Trattoria is less formal than a restaurant. The prices are lower and the food is more modest. The menu may include several chef's specialties.

3. osteria ("Osteria" is pronounced oh-stay-REE-ah)

Osteria is a tavern-like establishment with a home-like atmosphere, simplified service and a wine bar.

4. Pizzeria ("Pizzeria" peets-ay-REE-ah)

This name seems understandable. Not only do they make pizza on the wood-fired oven here, but they also make pastas and various salads, which you can find in the osteria. It's homely enough and the prices are affordable. Note: you can, of course, bring your own pizza, but it's MUCH nicer to eat here, unlike American restaurants.

5. Enoteca ("Enoteca" en-oh-TAY-kah)

Enoteca is an establishment where wine is considered the main drink. In addition to the wine, they often offer many different salads and appetizers.

6. Caffé ("Caffè" kaff-EH)

Coffee in America is a complement to the standard food: sandwiches, simple pizzas and breakfast cakes. Italian cafes also serve alcohol and "digestive" to coffee.

Tipping

Five or ten years ago, there was a complicated tipping system. For an extra fee (1-3 euros per person) they let you sit where you liked and (our favorite) they didn't bother you for hours. Note: no need to tip cab drivers, although we did pay them more than necessary if they were courteous and lifted our suitcases, for example.

Pros and minutes of Italian cuisine

As in any culture, there are many food-related mistakes that would be hard to spot if they weren't pointed out to us.

1 Milk evokes many emotions in Italians. It's not the kind of drink you can drink after 11 a.m., because they find it hard to digest (which is true, in fact). This fact must have influenced the way Italian coffee is made. Lattes or cappuccinos are drinks that are only drunk in the morning. In the afternoon (after 11 a.m.) Italians tend to switch to macchiato (espresso with milk) or simple espresso. The last obvious mistake is ordering a cappuccino (my goodness) after dinner. It seems as strange as porridge for dessert or soda with breakfast.

2. Olive oil and balsamic vinegar. The basic mistake most Americans make is expecting these two condiments on the table at an Italian restaurant along with a basket of bread. It turns out that Italians don't dip bread in either olive oil or balsamic vinegar, while Americans manage to mix the two ingredients. Olive oil is used for many dishes, including soup, but not for bread, as we have already mentioned. If a restaurant in Florence recognizes an American, they will bring the two bottles together, just because they have often been asked for it. If you are in a non-tourist place, you can ask for olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Just don't expect them to bring you a plate.

3. Adding Parmesan. Often restaurants in many countries always have an extra jar of parmesan. This is something that almost NEVER happens in Italy. Nothing should be added to the pasta you bring. You may be offered ground pepper, of course, but most of the time there is enough of everything in it. If you add parmesan to the pasta, it will spoil the finished dish. However, if an American orders pasta, the waiter will bring him parmesan simply because the tourist is from the States.

4. Fish and cheese are not friends. Italians never mix fish and cheese. So the rule above about parmesan is doubly relevant if you order pasta that has fish in it.

5. You have to eat the dishes in order. Antipasto, prima, second course, salad (optional), dessert, and THEN coffee. You can order one, two dishes or all of these together, but as a rule of thumb, they should be in that order.

6. Finally, one of our best tips for eating in Italy is to never rush. No one orders after you. Take your time! (Do you think Italians will learn this whole course? Over time!)

Daily life in Italy

The pros and cons of living in Italy during the semester.

Grocery shopping

A few rules about shopping that you should know so you don't get in trouble.

First. Products in stores should not be touched, smelled, or held without special gloves. Every grocery store has gloves that you put on and then choose a particular product. If you don't put them on, you'll probably go unnoticed until some old lady looks at you VERY menacingly, and it's not funny. Plus, it's hygienic! We love this idea, we really do. When you choose a product, you owe it to yourself to weigh it. Use a scale provided specifically for this purpose and print out a sticker that states the price.

If you're shopping at an open market, you'd better ask the seller about the details you're interested in. You can point to the amount of fruit or vegetables you want, and the cashier will pack them.

Second, plastic bags cost money. Third, you put the food in the bags yourself. There is a slight difficulty in putting the groceries in the bag quickly, because the store really wants you to pay the exact amount without change. Take your time and count your money carefully. If you pay 20 or, God forbid, 50 euros, you better look guilty. They won't like it.

Laundry

Using laundry services was one of the hardest things to get used to when we were first in Italy. As seniors, we remember the frustration we felt at first, but then we got used to it. Most houses are equipped with washing machines. As a rule, you can wash a small amount of clothes in them for a long time so as not to use too much water and electricity.

Most Italians put their clothes in the wash and then hang them to dry on a special clothes net or near a window. Depending on the time of year, clothes can dry either long or fast. To keep your clothes soft, use conditioner. Even if they don't have it, things will return to normal after a few minutes of wear.

The fact that my jeans may have fit differently on me after washing was disturbing, so I would take my clothes to the laundry, for example. Now they can be expensive because washers and dryers use a huge amount of energy. There is the option of washing the clothes yourself and only taking them to the laundromat for drying. That way, you only spend money on the dryer. Recently we found a dry cleaner, where they pay a pound per laundry (obviously, per kilo). We want to point out right away that this place is not like the US. They don't put clothes in nice little Ziplock bags there. They wash, dry, and then throw things in a big plastic bag. Nevertheless, sometimes even that is a great help. We know that many students go to Via della Scalla, 30-32 (near the train station and Piazza Santa Maria Novella).

Hike to the doctor

This is actually very easy. If your institution doesn't provide a doctor and you don't feel well, you may need a consultation with a doctor, many cities have an excellent medical system that the tourist can take advantage of. There are two institutions in Florence. In case of an emergency, doctors will be able to come to your home (a fee may apply). They are all good-natured and speak English. Depending on the visit, you pay money and get a receipt, which you can give to your health insurance company later. It never exceeds 60 euros. You can see this list (http://www.firenzeturismo.it/en/images/stories/informazioni-turistiche/altre_informazioni_utili/servizi_sanitari/medici%20lingua%20inglese.pdf) of doctors who speak English. At the bottom you will find information about doctors for tourists.

That's it, the second post has come to an end. I'll see you in Part III... After Chapter 3, you'll be an all-knowing traveler!