10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Studying Abroad In Florence, Italy

The alluring streets, plethora of fascinating history, incredible food, and close proximity to other amazing countries makes Florence the perfect city to base yourself in for study abroad! This list all about 10 things I wish I knew before studying abroad in Florence is not only great for those choosing to study in Florence, but for students going to any European country. From packing smart to avoiding tourist traps, this guide will help you prepare for an unforgettable time studying in one of Europe's most beautiful cities. Read on to discover my guide to studying abroad in Florence, Italy.

10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Studying Abroad In Florence, Italy

1. You Don't Need To Take A Ton Of Euros

You do not need to take out Euros before studying abroad in Florence, Italy or even when you arrive. It's generally unnecessary—especially if you have Apple Pay or a travel-friendly credit card. Most travelers worry about losing money through exchange fees when converting U.S. dollars to Euros, but from my experience, digital payment options in Italy are widely accepted. During my time studying abroad in Europe, I found that nearly all establishments in Florence—and even in other major cities across Europe—accept Apple Pay, Visa, and Mastercard. Unless you're traveling to a more remote destination like small villages outside of Florence or certain rural areas, you likely won’t need much physical cash while studying abroad. For most destinations, contactless payments in Europe are the norm and incredibly convenient.

2. No Need To Stress About Food

If you are in the city, don’t worry—you can find iced coffee in Florence. While many students studying abroad in Florence, Italy are excited to experience authentic Italian cuisine, it’s comforting to know that American-style food in Florence is available, too. My friends and I assumed it would be hard to find iced coffee in Italy, especially in the espresso capital of the world, but we were pleasantly surprised. Florence has great cafes that cater to students and travelers alike. If you're a matcha lover or tea drinker, you're in luck—there are plenty of options for you as well. Some of the best coffee shops in Florence for iced drinks and brunch include Melaleuca Bakery, Ditta Artigianale, and La Milkeria. These spots also serve American-style breakfast, including bagels and pancakes, which are perfect if you're missing a little taste of home while studying abroad in Italy.

3. Things To Pack For Florence

Bring a travel backpack! I cannot stress this enough—it’s one of the most versatile items for studying abroad. A good carry-on backpack for Europe can double as your school bag during the week and your weekend travel bag. I saw so many students using the same backpack for class and then hopping on a budget airline the next day with it as their personal item.

I recommend the Patagonia DayPack or this popular travel backpack on Amazon if you’re looking for a more affordable option. To maximize space, definitely consider getting packing cubes for travel—they help keep everything organized, though the weight of your bag will stay the same (just a heads-up).

One of my roommates also had a portable luggage scale, which was a lifesaver when we were flying home and dealing with overweight checked bags. If your suitcase is over the limit, shifting items to your backpack can help avoid fees. Overall, organization while packing—whether for weekend trips or your return flight—is so important when you're studying abroad in Europe.

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4. You Will Make New Friends While Studying Abroad

You will make new friends while studying abroad! I know it sounds cheesy, but it’s something I truly came to realize during my time abroad. If you’re studying abroad alone, it’s totally normal to feel nervous about meeting people. But I promise—it’s very possible (and likely) to make lifelong friendships while studying abroad. Whether it’s through classes, student travel groups, or casual group activities for international students, you’ll find others who are just as eager to connect.

At my university, there were weekly events like gelato tastings and organized weekend trips to other cities in Italy, which made it easy to meet people in a relaxed, fun environment. I really recommend trying your best to join in—even if you already have friends you’re traveling with.

Homesickness while studying abroad is common, especially in the beginning, but putting yourself out there and engaging with the local community and other students can really help ease that feeling.

5. Learning The Language

Learning the language is not mandatory in Florence, but can be quite useful. I am going to be completely honest, in most European cities it is quite easy to get away with simply speaking English, especially cities. That being said, you should go prepared and know some of the commonly used terms such as hello, thank you, or excuse me.

When I went to study abroad in Italy I was not able to fit an Italian language class into my schedule. I wish I had, but just know there are other ways to engage in the new language you are attempting to learn. You can do this by going to language exchanges or simply going to more local spots within the city. Even going to the library or community oriented spaces can be a great way to engage with the local community. But if you want to enhance your language chops further Duolingo is your way to go. 

6. Medication

Make sure to pack any medicine you need or think you might need while studying abroad. Although schools abroad offer a medical service when abroad, some countries do not always have the same medicines you may take at home. It is important to bring the right amount of medicine you need because if you run out you may have a hard time finding the same brand or prescription altogether.

That being said in Florence and in any major European city it is easy to find pharmacies all around! Also, if you have an emergency make sure to research and know the options you have in your host city. It is important to have your school medical service’s phone number or email saved, but also maybe more importantly you should know the local emergency number for the hospital. In the U.S. it is obviously 911, but in Italy it is 112 and it is different for every country.  

7. Beware Of Pickpockets

Pickpockets are very common anywhere in Europe. Make sure to know where your phone, wallet, and passport are at all times. Those are the big three. One of my roommates actually had her phone stolen from her hand. Granted she was slightly intoxicated and most likely not paying attention, but even so you need to be aware of your surroundings.

This is not meant to scare you because I personally had no encounters with pickpockets, but it is very important to always be aware of your surroundings and belongings. Some great options to make sure your phone is not stolen are these Phone Wrist Straps.

Also, be aware of common scams found in each city. In Italy in particular there are these bracelet scams where someone will come up to you and try to give you a bracelet. Don't take the bracelet unless you want to get scammed. Each city and country tends to have its own scam culture unfortunately so make sure to research before you enter a new city. 

8. Book Tickets In Advance

Book tickets in advance whether train, plane, or even museum tickets. Whether you are taking a weekend trip to France or to another city in Italy, always try to book your tickets in advance. For train tickets you can wait to book the day before at the latest. But for plane tickets I would suggest purchasing at least 2 weeks prior to travel.

For museum tickets plan ahead! In some museums you can simply walk into and see whatever you want, but alas that is not the case most of the time. Firstly, some museums become so busy that they do not allow any day of walk-ins. Rome is a good example where you need to book things in advance because no matter the time of year, Rome’s sites are BUSY. There are some popular museums such as Accademia Gallery of Florence (home to the Statue of David) that do allow walk-ins. But often you will be waiting in a monstrous line.

Be aware of free museum days too! Those are great if you are a student and you want to forgo the fee of payment, but if you want to mosey, take your time, and avoid crowds, maybe go during a weekday where there will be  less people.  

Also, I do not suggest purchasing and planning all your trips with friends before even arriving at your host city. Some of my peers planned a lot of trips before arriving in Italy, and that is a mistake. You do not know what is going to come up and you do not always know the other excursions your school is apt to offer, so wait, get to your school abroad, and then begin planning travel.

9. Bring a Portable Charger

Bring a portable charger with you, and especially when taking weekend trips. I cannot stress this enough. The portable charger was probably the one item I used the most during my time abroad. Travel and even being in a new city can be full of surprises, and even if you are traveling with friends it is good to be prepared. I cannot name the amount of times my phone died and I was either musicless for a plane ride or in even more dire situations. A portable charger is the best way to go, especially because it is a guaranteed charging port that your phone will fit into. This is a great affordable, yet reliable portable charger option. 

Also, when traveling to different countries remember that charging ports are different from country to country. For example, the charging port in Italy has a different shape than that of England. Always research before you go because not having a charged phone can be not only annoying. 

10. Try Not To Overpack

Keep in mind how much you bring to your host country because you will probably want to bring some new items home. As an overpacker, I cannot stress this enough. I chose to study during the Spring semester. Depending when you choose to go will depend on what you need to pack, but overall Florence tends to stay at mild temperatures in the fall, winter, and spring. The summer can become quite hot, but most people seemingly study in the fall or Spring semesters.

Overall, I would suggest bringing a couple sweaters, t-shirts, jeans, linen pants, shorts, and only 3 pairs of shoes as your mains. Shoes especially take up a lot of space in luggage and you want to make sure you have room to bring back any souvenirs you find, because trust me you will need that room. 

10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Studying Abroad In Florence, Italy Wrap Up

Researching and planning for your time abroad is a wonderful way to prepare yourself. But everyone will figure their needs upon arriving. It can be scary going to a new place, and especially if you do not know many people or anyone. But just know everyone going to the abroad program is in the same boat and you will all learn and discover what it is like to live abroad together. And these are just my few tips to keep in mind before travelling to your host country. So I hope these ideas help you in your time studying in a new place. Please enjoy and have so much fun during your time studying abroad. Let us know if you have any questions or comments below. 

Read all our Tuscany articles here + more on what to pack for Florence.

Happy Travels,

This post was written By Maddie MacLellan - Photos by Daisy MacLellan