Major FAQ- TEFL Italy

Arrival Information

Participants usually fly directly into the Florence Peretola Airport in Florence . Individuals wanting to see some of Italy fly into Rome (Leonardo Da Vinci International Airport), Bologna ( Bologna Airport or Guglielmo Marconi Airport ) or Pisa ( Galileo Galilei Airport ) and take a train to Florence .

Transfer from Airport to Host Family/Hostel

Program fee does not cover airport transfer/pick-up and reception service (NOTE: Global Crossroad does NOT offer airport drop-off/return services). Additionally, Global Crossroad's partnering TEFL provider in Florence requests that participants take a taxi from the airport or train station. Participants are urged to retain their receipt for imbursement upon arrival at the language institute.

How can I contact the TEFL institute (if I arrive before the start of the TEFL Florence program)?

In the event that a participant arrives before the start date, it is advised that they arrange their own accommodations and contact someone at Global Crossroad's office who will then provide participants with instructions. Details, such as the address and telephone numbers of Global Crossroad's partnering institute in Florence , will be provided to participants in their in final placement details/pre-departure booklet.

Accommodations/Meals

Global Crossroad's partnering institute in Florence can assist in locating appropriate living accommodations to best suit the needs of TEFL participants - all available at very competitive prices. All student accommodations in Florence are either in or near the center of the city. Depending on the location of accommodations, travel time can range from 5 - 30 minutes. While our partnering institute in Florence attempts to place all participants in accommodations located within walking distance from the language school, there may be a short bus ride involved.

Accommodations include:

Shared Apartment: (with fellow students)

• Cost: beginning at €500 for one month's rent
• Allowed to use kitchen and bathroom facilities

Single room or twin rooms* available

• Independent/Private Apartment:
• Cost: beginning at €1000 for one month's rent
• Private, unshared accommodations
• Fully furnished studios or apartments

*Twin rooms are shared accommodations available only for participants traveling together

NOTE: a deposit of €100 is required for booking arrangements. All or partial payment will be returned if accommodations are left in satisfactory conditions.

Meals are the responsibility of the participant. Affordable meals may be purchased throughout the city of Florence at very reasonable prices.

Florentine cuisine is quite rustic - often with various meats as the cornerstone. A popular dish (usually an appetizer) is called "antipasta" which consists of sliced bread rounds topped with various meats (i.e. prosciutto, salami, chicken liver-based pâté). The famous Tuscan bread is often served alongside some of the region's famous soups ('ribollita,' 'pappa al pomodoro') along with olive oil (distinctive to each region of Italy ). Be sure to try the "fiorentina," a steak of Chianina beef (a type of cattle originating in the Chiana Valley made famous for their large size) served rare atop a bed of arugula topped with slices of parmesan cheese (another staple to the Italian diet).

Internet/Telephone/Medical Facilities

The city of Florence offers a variety of telecommunication and medical facilities/services. Phone and internet services are also available in various internet cafés throughout the city (some within a 5-minute walk from the TEFL institute) with special prices offered to TEFL students of our partnering institute.

Climate

Though classified as having a Mediterranean climate, Florence has the characteristics of a humid, subtropical climate - experiencing hot humid summers with very minimal rainfall and cool, damp winters. The city's geography - surrounded by hills with a river running through it - lends to hot and humid climates from June to August with higher summertime temperatures also due in part to the lack of a prevailing wind. Rain (with some occasional snow) is a common occurrence in the winter months.