Housing in Florence

Students who select the homestay option live with local Italian host families. IAU's hosts come from a cross section of society: some are families with young or grown children, others are single retirees; some work full-time while others may spend most of their days at home; some hosts are multi-lingual, while others may only speak a limited amount of English. Living with a host allows students the opportunity for both language immersion and cultural exchange, and IAU alumni consistently remark on the growth and insight offered by the homestay experience. Students must be flexible and accepting within their Italian household, and will in all likelihood find the attitude rewarded.

Students in a homestay receive daily breakfast and dinner. All lunches are the student's responsibility. Some hosts may have only one bedroom that they rent to students while others may have several rooms that they rent out. Students may share their bedroom with another student, although each student will always have their own bed. All bathrooms are shared by students and the host. Students will have access to wifi in their homestay and access to laundry facilities once per week. All linens (bedding and towels) are provided.

Shared Apartments
Students who select apartment accommodations will live in a furnished and fully-equipped apartment shared with other IAU students. IAU apartments are located throughout the city and are within convenient access to grocery stores, shops, restaurants, pharmacies, and public transportation. In the apartments, students will have access to ample and shared living space and a fully-equipped kitchen, and wifi with linens (bedding and towels) included. Students may share their bedroom with another student, although each student will always have their own bed. No meals are included with apartments, so students are responsible for all meal costs and preparation, although IAU will host a welcome and closing dinner as well as a variety of other social gatherings where food is provided.