The Guide to Everything NYU Florence
BY Wendy Li
This is a compiled list of a few things that I wish I knew before coming to NYU Florence.
General Tips
Traveling in Cinque Terre!
Good to Know Things
Get bug spray! Especially on campus, there are a LOT of mosquitos. Everyone I know has had experiences with bug bites, so pack your bug spray!
The campus ground is either dirt or gravel, and dust is kicked up very easily - my Doc Martens are always covered in brown dust after I wear them to class, so I recommend carrying some tissues with you.
Laundry: Be aware that laundry can be expensive here, with smaller washer and dryers; I like to hand wash my clothes and hang them to dry.
If you want to travel/fly the first two months, I recommend booking those trips before you arrive because it can get very pricey.
Dorms
There are two off-campus dorms that house upperclassmen (sophomores and above): S4 and il Santo.
S4
Mostly non-NYU students, smaller residence hall.
Gym is noticeably bigger than il Santo’s with a more traditional gym-like look and structure, but there is less equipment (2 of each machine, 1 bench). FYI: the weights are in kg so remember that before you do your normal weights!
Il Santo
Mostly NYU students, much larger residence hall.
Very large kitchen with a few different rooms.
Gym is noticeably smaller than S4 and looks less like a traditional gym
Both
Pots, pans, blender, microwave, tupperware, silverware, and dishes are provided! FYI: the food here does not have preservatives so if you buy perishables (milk, fruit, green vegetables), use them within 1-2 days. Fridge and storage space is limited so do not buy too much.
Classes
Overall, the workload is a lot more reading heavy than problem-set heavy. All four credit classes (besides Italian) are 2 hours 45 minutes once a week.
My earliest class is Elementary Italian I Beginner at 12PM, and I highly recommend starting classes later because I am able to go to the gym, shower, get ready, and take a nice stroll to the bus stop without being rushed. I’m also taking Organization Communication & Its Social Contexts, Cultures & Contexts: Italy, Management & Organizations, and Social Media Strategy. Cultures & Contexts and M&O, as it is known colloquially, are both examples of classes that involve readings. Social Media Strategy is pretty engaging with a lot of hands-on activities where you have the opportunity to make things.
Public Transportation
Download AtBus app to buy mobile bus tickets and see bus information in general.
Get the monthly passes from September-November, it’s around €40. To get one, go to “NYU Florence Info Portal” —> “Student Life” —> “Practical Information” —> “Transportation in Florence”—> “Public Transportation (Autoline Toscane)”—> scroll down to “Monthly and Yearly Bus Passes.”
Taxis are 10% off between 9:00 pm - 2:00 am if you are alone and female presenting.
I recommend Omio or Trainline for transportation outside of Florence.
If flying internationally, I would recommend you look at flying Ryanair out of Pisa or Bologna.
By the train.
Getting to Class:
Get on the 25 line bus at Liberta’ or the next stop L.II Magnifico Liberta.’
Get off at either Bolognese 05 or the next stop Pietra 02. For classes in Villa Natalia and Villa Colletta get off at Bolognese 05; for classes in Villa Ulivi and Villa Sassetti get off at Pietra 02.
Activate your physical ticket at the box at the front of the bus or activate your mobile ticket on the app once you get on the bus. Very important to activate your ticket when you get on as there are random checks on both trains and buses, and you will be fined €50 + the price of the ticket if you do not have an activated ticket.