STUDENTSVILLE

"MANGIA MANGIA!!!” Something not so uncommonly heard as you roam the streets of Florence. I suppose Italian restaurant owners think that just talking about eating will remind passersby that their stomaches are empty and need filling...pronto!?There’s a remarkable amount of differences between dining out in the U.S. and dining out in Italy, that it’s hardly comparable. I feel as though going out in Italy is more about the food, and less about the experience. While in the U.S., surely the food is important, but Americans love being waited on and dining lavishly. It’s all about feeling like a “princess.” The food could taste like pond scum, yet if the room was decorated like the Monte Carlo, you bet the dinner wait for that restaurant is at least 3 hours. While Americans must have perfect service, a server waiting on them to the T, Italians do not put emphasis on this. In fact, I find it hard to even find a server or get their attention if I do find one. Their philosophy is more of a “I’ll take your order when I get around to it and you’ll get your food when you get it.” But the food...thats a whole new story. Since time is not important in Italy, rather, relaxing is key; the food is made to perfection, compared to the American philosophy of “as quick as possible!”

“Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves,” Henry David Thoreau. This, perhaps is one of many reasons why so many of us yearn to travel the world. Living in Firenze has given me slightly too many opportunities to get lost, but every time I find my way, I’m so proud of myself! This experience has made me a lot more independent. Traveling is not only fun, exciting and liberating; it forces us to feel and think about new things...or perhaps think about things in a new way. All of these experiences give insight into who we really are. During college, a time when we are growing and becoming our adult self more than ever, travel is essential because we discover so many new aspects of ourselves.One of the most opportune times to travel is as a student not only because of the phase in your life as I previously stated, but because now is the time to reap the benefits with all the student discounts and make friends all over the world! If you are like me, and have to work hard for your money and do some serious saving up in order to travel, don't lose hope, with a little extra planning you’ll be able to travel with a smaller budget. The first thing you want to do is order your ISIC card: international student discount card. If you are already in Europe and have not ordered this, but have your university student card, most places will accept the standard university card. This card will provide you with proof of identity and save you lots of money along your way. Always bring this with you to museums, historical sites and many restaurants, as they will offer a discount if you show this as proof that you are a student.

Projections , festivals, special events. These are the figures of the fifth annual "50 Days of Cinema International in Florence," which will be held in Florence at the Casa del Cinema Odeon Florence (Piazza Strozzi), organized by Fondazione Sistema Toscana Gallery, in collaboration with the Tuscany Region, Province and Municipality Florence ..The festival will take place from October 20th to December 9thFRANCE ODEON - 20/23 october- Offical website"UNA FINESTRA SUL NORD" - Finnish Film Festival - 28/29 October - Official websiteIMMAGINI & SUONI DAL MONDO FESTIVAL DEL FILM ETNOMUSICALE - 30/10 & 1 november - Official webisteAll the events and movies

Florence is to fashion as gelato is to Italy! Half the beauty of Florence is the aesthetic view of women and men in their trendiest clothes walking the streets. Florence houses some of the first prestigious designers; Salvatore Ferragamo and Emilio Pucci. Historically Florence is regarded as Italy's first fashion home, and many elegant designer boutiques sit along Via de' Tornabuoni including: Bulgari, Gucci, Prada, Robert Cavalli and Chanel. Simply peering into their display windows is a treat for ones eyes as they are each uniquely beautiful.

Study-abroad students will get up to 40 percent off the regular ticket price at the ticket office at Franchi Stadium (via Duprè 28 Rosso, tel. 055/5532803; tickets@acffiorentina.it)Students will also get discounts on all merchandise purchased at the official store and can take guided tours of Franchi stadium before home games on Mondays. Schools can also organize field trips to watch home games.For more info: www.fiorentinainternational.com

Alchimia is a school of contemporary jewellery and design in Florence, Italy, based in Oltrarno, Florence's historic artisan district. The school's philosophy is to provide students an innovative lab of creative thought, rooted in a deep understanding of traditional goldsmith techniques.In courses offered from beginning to advanced levels, students develop strong technical skills guided by a capacity to elaborate artistic concepts and their own creative language. This teaching method, fine tuned over the past twelve years and focused on the students and their individual nature, has produced results of a very high quality, with peaks of excellence made evident by many international prized acknowledgements.

Florence is art, but also fashion, on Wednesday the two sides will join the new museum dedicated to the products of the Gucci family.Palace of Merchandise, the historical site of the company (founded in 1921) will host the most important works produced during these eighty years of history, among which we mention the gorgeous Cadillac customized by the designer Aldo Gucci.The museum will be open to the public at a cost of 6 euros including 3 for a fund for the protection and restoration of the artistic heritage of Florence.

Wine Town is back: in Florence is almost ready for the event on 24 and 25 September 2011.Wine Town is the elegant international meeting with the best quality wine and its producers who meet around her lovers of wine and passion for work, but also all those who are looking for the art of Italian living, and Tuscan. An appointment is renewed, bringing intriguing and a great number of people who are educated to drink ... aware of rediscovering the ancient values ??of conviviality.

Sunday after the strike is finally ready to begin the championship of the "Fiorentina", a journey through 38 games including 19 at the Artemio Franchi stadium.Tickets are on sale on ticketone.it presales and around the city.