Gap Year in Florence, Italy
It’s hard to find a reason not to spend a gap year in Florence. As the birthplace of the Renaissance, this city is still considered one of the most beautiful in the world. Florence is located in the heart of Tuscany and boasts some of the best food, scenery, museums and architecture in all of Italy. Whether you are an aspiring Michelangelo or not, Florence has a way of drawing out the artistic soul in everyone, allowing you the find creativity and beauty in food, people, wine, and even soccer.
The Florentines think about life a little differently than you may be used to—with an emphasis on slowing down and enjoying little things, you’ll find yourself free to discover your passions and gain a deeper sense of what really matters in life. Even Kate Middleton was drawn to Florence for her gap year, and we can only assume she picked up some of her poise from living in a city defined by its history of beauty.
Florence has been capturing the hearts of travelers for ages and inspired poems, books, and art. It is a beautiful, lively, passionate city full of history and legend. You can’t go wrong living La Dolce Vita in one of the most unique cities in the world!
Teaching English
There are countless opportunities to teach English in Florence whether in schools or as a private tutor. Often, schools and students want to learn from a mother-tongue English speaker to help them perfect the language, colloquialisms, and accent. A TEFL certification and visa are required to teach English and there are many programs that provide both TEFL certification courses and visa sponsorship for a small fee. These programs often provide job placement assistance as well as housing during your TEFL course.
Language Study
Italian. La Bella Lingua. Though not a widely spoken language, many people are drawn in by the song-like nature of the Italian language. The Florentine dialect is what is considered standard Italian, making Florence a great place for language study and immersion. You can enroll in a local language school for relatively low costs and get to Florence on a free student visa. With a student visa, you can work up to 20 hours per week to pay for living expenses and further immerse yourself in the language. There are tons of local programs to choose from that range from all-inclusive with housing placement to just language courses.
Culture Study (cooking, wine and food pairing, art)
Florence has perfected many of the finer things in life and is a great place to learn if you want to pick up a unique skill. There are culinary schools, art schools, and sommelier courses that will sponsor a student visa and allow you to study in depth about living la dolce vita. You can still work part time on this visa to off set costs. Whether you want to perfect your pasta skills, learn how to craft leather goods or make jewelry, Florence is home to artisans and craftsmen who are eager to pass on their skills.
Au pair
Au pairing is a very popular way to make a little money while in Florence and have the comfort of a family. Because Florence is small, there are fewer professional opportunities for ‘gappers’ so aupairing is a great way to be immersed in the culture, and meet new people, and often families will provide housing and some pocket money for the aupair. Additionally, they may pay for a language course while you’re there. With so many families looking for English-speaking au pairs, you’re sure to find a family that fits your needs.
