A typical day as an AEF student in Florence begins quietly, with the soft morning light settling over the city as I make my way to school for 9am Italian class. There’s something about walking through Florence that already puts you in the right mindset for learning a new language. The streets feel calm at that hour, the tourists haven’t fully woken up yet, and the cafés are just opening their doors. By the time I reach class, I’m somewhere between awake and still shaking off sleep, but Italian grammar waits for no one.
The first part of the morning is always grammar, which sounds more intense than it actually feels. It’s surprisingly comforting to start with structure, verb endings, sentence patterns, the small rules that make the language make sense. Even when I’m staring at a conjugation thinking I’ve never seen anything that confusing in my life, there’s something rewarding about realising I’m slowly piecing it together. And the best part is noticing the moments where it clicks: a sign I can suddenly read, a phrase I overhear on the street that doesn’t feel foreign anymore. Those tiny victories make the early start worth it.
By 10:30, the energy in the room dips in unison, and everyone knows what time it is: coffee break. We all head out together to grab a quick espresso or cappuccino, usually standing at the bar like every other local trying to get their caffeine fix before going back to work. It’s a small, shared pause where we catch up, laugh about whatever grammar confused us that morning, and talk about the random things we want to do later. Even though the break is short, it’s one of my favourite parts of the day because it feels genuinely social and very Italian.
When we return to class, the focus shifts to speaking. The grammar we learned earlier suddenly becomes real, and a bit chaotic, but in a good way. We practise asking each other questions, talking about our days, telling little stories, and doing role-plays that feel funny at first but actually help build confidence. Speaking class is usually the moment I notice the most improvement, not because I’m perfect, but because I’mactually using the language.
School finishes at 12:30, and the second I step outside, the day opens up completely. This is one of the best parts of being an AEF student, having the whole afternoon free to explore, relax, or do absolutely nothing if that’s the mood. Most days end with a group of us lingering outside the building, chatting about what we might do next. Sometimes we make proper plans, sometimes we just wander and see where we end up. Florence is the kind of place where you don’t need a full itinerary for the day to feel meaningful.
Life here finds a balance between learning and living, between structure and spontaneity. The mornings are focused and productive, and the afternoons belong entirely to us. It’s a routine that somehow feels both peaceful and exciting, and every day brings something slightly different, even if the schedule stays the same. Being an AEF student in Florence means having space to grow, explore, and enjoy a slower rhythm of life, and that’s what makes each day feel special.
