API: Experience Florence, Italy (Scholarships Available)

API is AMAZING. This time last year, all I knew was that I wanted to study abroad. I had no idea which program to choose, so I began my search by looking at websites such as this. Thankfully, I was convinced by a review on a website much like this one. I am now hoping to do the same for someone else. I honestly don't know how I could have had a more worthwhile or life changing experience through a different program. It was the perfect amount of supervision with the staff and freedom with my peers. I had so much fun taking in the culture and history that I could while still feeling safe and secure. My apartment in Florence was literally five steps away from The David. I'm actually half-wishing I wasn't writing this review right now because it's making me upset that I can't go back.
First of all, the apartments are AMAZING! Talk about the complete Italian experience. I was prepared to be living in a tiny one-room apartment with six other girls, but they are very spacious with many rooms, a living room, fully equipped kitchen, and two bathrooms! We had absolutely no problems. We were also in a building with other Italian neighbors which really helped assimilate you to the environment. The ONLY thing is that if you are there in the summer, it gets HOT!! I mean, we were literally melting during a couple nights. So I would highly recommend bringing something to help you cool down (a wet towel and water bottle for me did not suffice). I know some had air conditioning, but our particular unit did not.
I took Foundation Oil Painting (I'm a Nursing Major) and it was SO much fun! It wasn't too challenging. We got to listen to music in class, it was so relaxing and I learned so much!
The food is AMAZING (OF COURSE)! Gusta Pizza is a must. So is the very first gelato shop you come to when you cross the Ponte Vecchio (GET PINEAPPLE GELATO--it is the best here!) Everywhere else is equally delicious, of course. Also, did I mention there is a Secret Bakery? YES. a Secret Bakery. It is only open at night, and there is no sign. If you're lucky, sometimes you can follow your nose (of find some other wanderers at night) to the frosted glass doors where you knock three times and wait for the most delicious treats to be secretly brought to you! One of my favorite memories was searching for the Secret Bakery!
I also felt very safe in Florence. There were a couple of times when my roommates would leave our doors unlocked at the apartment, but nothing was ever stolen. I DO know a couple of students that were with us who were pickpocketed as we were out at night, so I would just recommend having a side purse that you can always have your eye on, or just keep your money in a front pocket where no one can reach it. Never bring ALL of your money or credit cards with you. It does get a little creepy at night, as some italians do tend to whistle at you and/or walk behind you. I always stayed with at least one other person. If you just ignore them they usually give up, and nothing ever happened beyond that. Besides a couple of whistles at night, there was nothing else that caused me to feel unsafe!
Overall, I couldn't have done it without the API advisors. I loved going on all of the excursions each weekend (Cinque Terre, Rome, Padova, Verona, Venice--all included in tuition) and I loved talking to the advisors. They were all so nice and hilarious. They also lived right around the corner, so if you ever needed them, they were just a few steps away. Another one of my favorite things about the program was the group cooking class. We all went to a giant kitchen where we all learned to cook a three course meal (we got all the recipes afterwards). Studying abroad is best and worst thing you can possibly do. It's a life changing experience: once you're home all you want to do it go back. I encourage you to Study Abroad and guarantee that you can't go wrong with API! I wouldn't trade the memories or friendships for anything.

I imagine this is a problem for any program in Florence, but there is very little immersion with API and LDM.

API is great if you have never been abroad before and are nervous, but I felt there was almost too much hand holding.

The accommodations are extremely nice. We had a huge apartment right downtown, within close walking distance of classes... and in a building full of other American students. Yes, the social life can be great, but I didn't go to Italy just to party with other Americans.

The same goes for the classes. The subjects are really interesting, there is some challenge but they aren't overly difficult, but all the other students are American. I had one Mexican girl in my Intermediate Italian class, and the rest were Americans. There is no difference of perspective, except perhaps from your teachers (at least most are Italian).

Overall, there is a lot of support in this program, great housing, interesting classes, and little cultural immersion. My Italian only improved because I had some previous study, my professor was challenging, and I traveled a lot and stayed with Italians (luckily, my roommate had relatives still living in Italy).

Too many of the students go with closed minds and spend all their time partying in Florence's clubs with other Americans and the Italians who party there just to meet Americans. Then they sit and complain that they can't split checks when they go out to dinner or that things aren't exactly like America. I have nothing against sorority girls from Long Island, but they seemed to make up 75% of the students and they had no interest in having any kind of an authentic experience.

Lastly, this is a pretty expensive program. It includes a lot of field trips, including an overnight one in a hotel, but I would have rather paid less and just done those trips on my own. (Again, more hand holding.) The housing must also be extremely pricey. I wouldn't mind living a little further out of the city around actual Italians. I was prepared to live in a tiny apartment, not a gigantic loft.

All of these views are from my experience in Spring 2007, so perhaps things have changed. Just my opinions.

I couldn't have been more pleased with my API Florence experience. The staff was extremely helpful, the city was amazing, the trips were well organized and fun, and the classes were so enjoyable. I learned so much in such a short time and had a blast in the process. Plus, we all made lifelong friends from all over.

Florence is the perfect place to study abroad. I have missed it since the second I left. Every morning, I would wake up, stop at a cafe for a cappuccino and walk by the Duomo on my way to classes in the Piazza Repubblica. I would walk by the leather market, through the crowds of tourists wishing they could stay longer than their one week vacation is allowing them too, and finally up the stairs of a gorgeous building behind a theater house, where my small classes would take place. It was a dream.. only it didn't end for four months. Every weekend I traveled, four of my trips with API that were always enjoyable. I'd take advantage of Siesta some days with a short nap and others I'd meet up with my roommates to go out for a delicious lunch at the never-ending choices of restaurants. Florence is the only choice for a study abroad experience that will give you memories, and new friends, forever.

Studying abroad in Italy was incredible. The city of Florence was the best home I could have asked for. Everyone around me was so happy and there was a kind of spirit in Florence that I had never felt before. I study Art, and became amazingly overwhelmed with all the culture, I felt like I had nothing to lose, because everything surrounding me was already so beautiful. My teachers were great, and so helpful at looking at my Art from a different cultural viewpoint. My growth as artist skyrocketed. Classes were very relaxed and exciting to go to. I traveled although Italy, and Europe. I got to see the genuine Italian life where good food and family come first. And I fell in love with red wine, after traveling through country side vineyards. As for Europe, it offers so much more, culturally and artistically. My highlights include dancing on tables at Oktoberfest in Munich Germany and living my dream of Skiing in Switzerland. I found comfort in Italy. Some of my favorite moments include, drawing at major sites throughout the city, wandering the streets with my camera, doing my art homework on my apartment terrace watching the sunset over the orange and yellow buildings, and meeting new people that I still talk to. My studying abroad experience helped me finally open my eyes. As for API, they were unbelievable. More helpful than I would have ever imagined. Not only did they provide us with endless activities like soccer games, concerts, and excursions all over Italy, but they were always willing to help us in any way. They offered more language classes, and really wanted the best cultural experience for each and everyone of us. For me, I didn't come across any difficulties besides having to leave. Everything about my experience made me a happier and better person. It was a year ago that I was there now, and I often think about moments when I need a pick me up. Nothing I have done in this year, since I've been back, has come close to comparing to the happiness I experienced in Italy. It took a while to adjust back to the American way of life. I'm finally settled back in and have never wanted to get out so bad. I'm planning to graduate in May, and work my way back over to Europe, and begin a longer program there. This world is too big not to. And with the way I changed in 4 months I was studying abroad makes me want to spend years traveling in Europe and see what kind of person I can become. My advice to anyone considering it, is to do it. Why not?

Florence, is not only a beautiful city with with amazing artwork and history, it is a cultural explosion. Florentines, as they are called, are people native to the Tuscany region and express their cultural background throughout their day to day lives. They are very kind people with a strong pride in Tuscany, a love for great food, fashion, and of course wine. The weather is also great, and not to extremely hot or cold. There are also some key characteristics which really set florence apart in my mind: vepsa's (they drive like maniac's, and everyone should rent one), the architecture, il cascine (lush park along the river), and my favorite piece of florence- the arno river (the lifeblood of florence

I studied my junior spring semester in 2010. I chose API's Florence program primarily because of the course offerings; specifically, the food courses. I ended up discovering a passion for food and now plan on going on to study the field for a career after graduating. I went with API because it was the most all-encompassing program, and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. The staff support (both abroad and at home), excursions, apartments and all the extra help were invaluable and I know that my experience would not have been as amazing had I gone with a different program. I started writing my food blog, When Bread Is Broken at the start of my semester and you can see all of my adventures and daily routine in Florence there.

The study abroad experience is priceless; there is just something about knowing you can navigate international foreign airports that is absolutely liberating and has given me a confidence in my adaptability that I'd never had before. I think it also helps open your mind, which helped me to appreciate and embrace not only other cultures, but my own. If you can look at every obstacle as a learning experience (and learn to laugh!), it is the best experience of your life.

I absolutely loved the time I spent in Florence, Italy. The excursions that API provided were amazing. I had a lot of fun and learned a lot during them. My apartment exceeded my expectations. I lived with 7 other girls and my apartment was designed for 10 people to live in. It was huge. I felt safe in the area I lived in and safe in general in Florence. I would go back in a heart beat!