1. Make yourself at home.

This place is going to be your home for the next few months, so start acting like it right away! Get acclimated to your surroundings by exploring the neighborhood around your apartment. Spend the first few days checking out the local restaurants and shops. I have discovered several great restaurants on my street, joined a gym a few blocks away, and become a lifetime member of the national library, making my transition to life here very easy.

The view of Florence from Piazzale Michelangelo.

Entertaining myself while waiting for the boat in Salerno.

2. Walk…a lot.

It’s hard not to do this in Florence, but it’s an extremely important part of getting to know the city. In New York, where the streets are organized in a grid pattern, I can always find my way simply by looking to see what street I am on. Florence is quite different. There is no rhyme or reason to the layout of the streets–at least as far as I can tell. By walking a lot in the first few days I have been able to develop a pretty good mental map of the city. This is an important aspect of feeling at home abroad for me, since I would never get lost at home in New York.

The Ponte Vecchio. 

3. Learn a few Italian phrases 

Obviously, if you already speak the language, that’s great for you.  Unfortunately, I do not. While nearly everyone you will encounter here speaks some English, it still helps to be able to say a few words in Italian. This is primarily for practical reasons, but also because people clearly appreciate it when you make an effort to communicate with them in their mother tongue, rather than expect them to communicate in yours.

Pasta with black truffles at Ristorante Buca Mario. 

Spaghetti pomodoro at Osteria Santo Spirito.

4. Eat everything

Food is undeniably one of the most important aspects of Italian culture. Restaurants here are relatively inexpensive (compared to New York prices), and widely abundant. Choose wisely. Avoid eating at restaurants located in heavily touristed areas, as these are typically mediocre and overpriced. There are many terrific restaurants in less obvious locations. My favorites so far are Buca Mario and Osteria Santo Spirito. I am looking forward to trying the local specialty of trippa alla Fiorentina.

Alici marinate–anchovies marinated in olive oil and lemon juice–are a regional specialty of the Amalfi coast. 

5. Travel outside the region

Planning a trip to another part of the country will help you better understand the nation’s geography and regional cultural differences. I travelled to Positano on the Amalfi Coast, which was a quick 2.5-hour train ride followed by an hour-long ferry. It was interesting to see how things are both similar and different in another part of the country. Florence is certainly faster-paced, as Positano has the slow, relaxed atmosphere typical of many seaside towns.

The view from the beach in Positano.

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