As someone looking to study abroad in Florence, or already committed to it, it's helpful to get a rough idea of what your days might look like, as it will differ widely from your experience should you decide to study abroad in a different Italian city or, even more so, another country. Personally, I had no idea what my days would consist of before coming to Italy, but I've been pleasantly surprised so far.
My Classes at CEA CAPA Florence
Depending on your program and what courses you are taking, your workload will vary obviously, but overall the structure of your courses should be consistent. Most of the courses are 2-3 hours long"¦ don't worry, I was scared too; but your classes will likely include one break-if not two-for you to stretch your legs, use the restroom, or even pop out for a quick coffee. It's one of my favorite things to do during the day as it provides a little pick-me-up and makes the long classes seem a lot shorter.
Also, your classes will often include ventures outside of the classroom to see things firsthand. In my Food, Culture, and Lifestyle Under the Tuscan Sun class, for instance, we often go into markets, bars (coffee shops), and pastry shops so we can try the local food we've discussed during our lectures and presentations. It really enhances the learning experience and makes the course all the more engaging. In my Renaissance Art History course, we spend a portion of almost every class in churches around Florence seeing some of the art pieces we've just been lectured on. If art is important or interesting to you, Florence is an incredible place to study. I had no previous understanding of the sheer quantity of art this city has to offer. It's all absolutely breathtaking and adds so much value to the course that you wouldn't be able to get by just looking at pictures in a book or online.
Here's What a Typical Day Looks Like for Me
My days usually start around 8 in the morning as I have class at either 9 or 10 each morning, Monday through Thursday. My friends all have different schedules though, with some as nice as only having classes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. I try to eat something in the morning before class, but it doesn't always happen as I'm someone who tends to take a while to wake up in the morning. I usually do have time to hit a coffee shop before class in the morning though. I'll get a quick espresso and potentially a pastry as well.
I'm in class starting around 9-10am and ending anywhere from 11am to 3pm. If I have two classes in a single day, I always have 30 minutes in between to get a quick lunch. There is a little shop about a five-minute walk from CEA CAPA called I Ghibellini which has amazing sandwiches for 4.50 euros, as well as some small pizzas and good coffee. I go probably three times a week without any shame because I love the sandwiches so much.
After I'm done with class, I tend to just go with the flow. Most of the time, if I don't have homework or something else to do, my best friend and I will end up just walking around for a few hours seeing the shops and taking in the city. I also have a gym membership at Palestra Ricciardi since it's close to my apartment. It was around 200 euros for three months but I'm someone who likes to stay active so I felt it was worth it. I'll then eat dinner and watch a movie with my roommates or head out to experience the nightlife of Florence. There's an Italian saying "la dolce vita," which means "the sweet life". So far, I'd say the saying fits my experience.
