Words by Emily Kearns, a CAPA Florence study abroad alumna. Emily will be writing a column called "Remembering Florence" on CAPA World the first Friday of every month.
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After being surrounded by the topics of study abroad and travel for the past nine months, it’s impossible to not constantly think of my time in Florence. As I advise students who are interested in going to this city, I’m always thinking of little tips and pieces of advice based off my experience that could help them prepare and feel more comfortable about their decision. Here are five tips that I want to share for future Florence study abroad students:
1. Explore the other side of the Arno
When I was abroad, most of the students on my program were placed in apartments on the side of the Arno closest to the city center. This made it easier to commute to the CAPA Center and explore a lot of the historical landmarks that are in the city. However, it’s a whole different world on the Oltrarno! This side tends to be a bit quieter, less touristy, and has a lot more authentic restaurants. While you should definitely visit all the tourist attractions and historical landmarks close to the city center, I also really recommend spending time on the other side of the Arno and seeing what it has to offer!