Our cultural exchange participant in Italy, Iman, is writing to us from Florence, where she’s been living for a month. Read more about her experience below.
I already liked the family just from our video call, but they turned out to be even better in person. They gave me a lovely welcome, and we built a great connection right from the start. We get along really well. We talk a lot, so even if there’s ever a misunderstanding, we resolve it calmly and efficiently. The little boy I look after and I get along great—I really enjoy spending time with him. The only issue is with my lungs, because he’s 8 years old and super energetic, and I don’t exactly have the stamina for all-day jumping around.
Since my birthday falls during my stay in Florence—specifically on April 25th—they surprised me with a beautiful celebration: breakfast, cake, candles, gifts… and then lunch. It just so happened that it’s also a public holiday in Italy, so the whole day was dedicated to me. As for Florence—the city I’ve been living in for the past month—I can honestly say that even two months here doesn’t feel like enough. I’ve always been a big fan of Italy and have visited quite a few cities, but somehow never made it to Florence. I’ve definitely made up for that now.
Florence is a gorgeous city, the capital of the Tuscany region. Even though it’s my first time here, I don’t feel like a stranger at all. And apparently, people don’t see me as one either—at least not at first glance. I noticed that they often speak English right away with other people, but with me, they don’t switch to English unless I ask. A few times, I was even stopped on the street by someone asking for directions. Honestly, I feel more at home here than in my own city. It’s the combination of incredible architecture, the natural surroundings, the wonderful people, and the food. And I truly don’t know which part I love the most.
The city center isn’t exactly surrounded by nature—there’s the occasional tree—but just a bit outside the center, the streets are lined with trees and flowers. Especially the bridges, which aren’t all that popular with tourists. Another great thing is that the seaside is only about a half-hour drive away. Sure, if you want the really nice beaches, you’ll need a bit more time, but the nearest one is just thirty minutes by car.
Compared to people in northern Italy, folks here are much more pleasant, hospitable, and kind. They even speak English, which, in my experience, is quite rare up north. Florence feels very safe, even at night. People here tend to mind their own business—unless there’s a street argument, in which case everyone stops to watch and listen. Italians really love to argue. Especially when driving.
On the flip side, I find it fascinating how chill they are when it comes to kids. You’ll see little children running around the streets alone, and their parents are totally unbothered about where they are. So yeah—they’re not dramatic unless we’re talking about traffic. The food? Of course, it’s delicious. But if you want to just grab a drink or a coffee this afternoon, good luck. During lunch hours, “you can’t” just have a drink or a coffee. And yes, they drink Aperol like it’s water.
The only thing I don’t really like is the crowd—it’s huge, even off-season. The streets are full of tourists from all over the world. But there are also lots of locals who’ve moved here from all over the world. In short, I don’t think I could describe Florence better than by saying: I feel better here than I do in my own city.
I use my free time to explore the city—sometimes I just wander the fascinating streets, other times I visit museums, and galleries, or just sit down for a coffee and read a book. Sometimes I go out with a few lovely people I’ve met during my stay here. Since I live right on the border of Florence and a place called Fiesole, I can always choose whether I want to have my coffee in the center of Florence or in the center of Fiesole. Both are equally close.
The public transport is great, so I can always hop on a train and visit nearby towns. The house I live in has a fairytale-like garden, so when I don’t feel like pushing through the crowds, I just enjoy the sound of birds chirping, the stream running through the yard, the beautiful flowers, and the little lizards. Oh, and I have a dog. What more could I ask for? I’m a nature lover, so this house is a perfect match for me. I can’t pinpoint exactly what I’ve liked the most, but besides the city itself, I’d say it’s the great relationship I have with the family.
To future participants, she says this:
Don’t overthink it—just apply. This experience is worth every cent you spend on the program.
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