Every day in Florence feels like stepping into a painting that’s constantly moving, filled with sound, colour, and the scent of espresso drifting through the air. I came to Italy to study at the Accademia Europea di Firenze (AEF), hoping to improve my Italian and immerse myself in a new culture. What I didn’t expect was how quickly Florence would start to feel like home.
My mornings begin with Italian lessons at AEF, where language learning feels alive and personal. The classes are small and full of energy, we laugh, make mistakes, and somehow end up learning more through conversation than through textbooks. Our teachers weave culture into every lesson, explaining not just how Italians speak, but why. From idioms to hand gestures to the rhythm of conversation, it’s all part of understanding what it really means to live here.
One of my favourite parts of studying Italian in Florence is how easily classroom learning spills into daily life. After class, I often find myself ordering lunch in Italian, chatting with shopkeepers, or asking locals for recommendations. Each exchange feels like a small victory, a reminder that language is something you live, not just something you study. Florence itself is the perfect teacher. Between the history carved into every building and the art that surrounds you without even trying, the city invites curiosity. I love wandering through markets like Sant’Ambrogio, where locals chat over fresh produce, or sitting along the Arno River with friends from AEF, practising Italian as the sun sets behind Ponte Vecchio. These are the moments when I realise how much I’m learning, not just about language, but about life in another culture.
Then there’s football. Another kind of language entirely. Since arriving, I’ve started going to ACF Fiorentina matches at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, and it’s become one of my favourite parts of life here. The atmosphere is incredible: the chants, the purple scarves, the passion that fills the stadium from the first whistle to the last. Even if you don’t know every word of the songs, you can feel their meaning. Supporting Fiorentina has given me a new way to connect with locals, through shared excitement, celebration, and sometimes heartbreak. It’s taught me that culture isn’t only in museums or classrooms; it’s also in the voices of thousands of fans singing together on a Sunday afternoon.
AEF also encourages us to engage with the city beyond the classroom. Whether it’s participating in cultural activities, attending local events, or simply exploring Florence’s neighbourhoods, I’ve found that every experience here deepens my understanding of Italian life. The school’s staff and teachers create an environment that feels supportive and inspiring, a community of people who share the same passion for language, travel, and connection. Since arriving, I’ve learned that studying abroad isn’t only about academics. It’s about adaptation, discovery, and finding joy in the little things, the morning cappuccino, the friendly “Buongiorno!” from a local barista, the feeling of getting lost and finding something beautiful instead.
I’m still in the middle of my journey here, but already Florence has changed the way I see the world. Through the language, I’ve learned to slow down, to listen, and to appreciate details I might have missed before. At AEF, every day feels like an opportunity to learn, not just Italian, but a new way of living.
