Orientation
The NYU in Florence staff will greet first-year students at Villa Natalia and help them move into their housing assignments upon their arrival. Over the next few days an in-depth orientation will cover all the topics pertinent to every day life in Florence—from banking and cell phones, to local customs, navigating the city, the academic facilities and the role of the student life staff. A survival Italian course, a neighborhood tour, a welcome reception and a day trip to a nearby Tuscan city conclude your first days.
By the time you arrive in Florence, you'll already have registered for your classes. Advisers from the Office of Academic Support will assist you with any adjustments you may need to make to your schedule. You'll buy your books at local bookstores; many required readings will also be available on reserve at the Villa Ulivi library.
Housing and Meals
All Freshman Year in Florence students are required to reside at NYU's historic La Pietra estate. Florence is a small city, so you can easily walk or use public transportation to get almost anywhere. Students reside in singles, doubles, triples, quads, and multi-person rooms. A meal plan consisting of continental breakfast and dinner is included in the cost of housing for on-campus students.
Trips and Activities
In the beginning of the semester, the Office of Student Life staff will arrange day trips to local sites of interest that reflect the history and culture of Tuscany. These trips include guided tours of historical monuments and sites of interest as well as free time to do some exploring on your own.
To complement the curriculum, many professors organize local site visits as well as out-of-town field trips. These activities are mandatory and appear on each professor's syllabus. Most art history classes include visits to churches, museums, and villas in Florence and Italian cities to view pieces of art in context. Students often opt to take advantage of local holidays and the weeklong spring and fall breaks to travel through Italy and Europe. Each semester, the NYU in Florence staff coordinates events and excursions to make you feel welcome and connected to Florence. The staff takes advantage of local resources, introducing students to lesser-known museums, local craftsmen and the regional cuisine through extra-curricular activities. Cooking classes, student theater and a student radio show are also among other activities. On campus clubs are started every semester based on student initiative, and can range from a book or travel club, to a student run talent show, game nights and a student publication.
Student Life Services
A knowledgeable student services staff assists students with their adjustment to Italian life outside of class. The staff assigns housing and attends to the maintenance of student housing, plans activities and sees to the general well-being of the student body. Being away from home and familiar surroundings can sometimes be disorienting, and the student life staff is prepared to respond to any questions or concerns which may arise throughout the semester. Staff is available Monday – Friday during regular business hours and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week on an emergency cell phone to respond to any emergency events that may present themselves in off hours.