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I think this might be a very odd question here... I am a Vietnamese, 24, fairly okay in English and have some (very) basic Italian. I'm planning to study in Italy in this 2015 winter semester. I have 2 choices: a combined Master/ PhD course in University of Palermo or a Master course in University of Florence. And I dont know where should I go.
To academic extent and also about the people, quality of life (weather, living cost, lifestyle, facilities), I'm a bit confused while many of my Italian fellows suggested Florence and Tuscany as the best in overall in Italy, but some said Sicily is also extraordinary in landscapes, food and culture.
Both are must-see in Italy, for sure. I just want to rise this question here to know an inside comparison between the two cities from an well-informed Italian/ who have spent times in both regions.
Grazie mille.
Last edited by quangvn92; 07-25-2015 at 03:11 PM..
Reason: add up some info
The comparison can be very subjective, largely depending on cultural interests and career goals.
Generally speaking, Florence offers more career opportunities and of course has a deep history and culture, but relatively circumscribed in time. Historically and culturally, in my view, Palermo, and all of Sicily, is deeper, spanning more than two millennia.
I'm not sure what i would choose honestly, Florence seems more like a "museum city" and is also more organized, and more connected to everything else.
Palermo is amazing though. A beautiful chaos. But it is a different culture.
I'm genuinely curious about how a Vietnamese person would see these places.
I was told by some of my Italian friends that Palermo appears to be more similar to Vietnamese culture than Florence. Vibrant life, crowded, traditional markets, somehow chaotic, the hospitality of the people, etc. while Florence is more "europe", well-organized and having a lot of sites to see.
I was told by some of my Italian friends that Palermo appears to be more similar to Vietnamese culture than Florence. Vibrant life, crowded, traditional markets, somehow chaotic, the hospitality of the people, etc. while Florence is more "europe", well-organized and having a lot of sites to see.
I would agree with these assessments. Though Sicily has been part of Europe for about 900 years, indeed it still has deep roots in Mediterranean civilization which was broken a long time ago, while Florence came of age during the European era which is still ongoing.
If it is only 4-5 months and there are no very specific career goals in mind, I would say go to Palermo, probably a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, while chances are you will have other opportunities to go to Florence.
May I ask what do you study?
In all terms, set aside from a slight predominance in cuisine for Palermo, Florence wins hands down: better services, better city (although Palermo is astounding as well), better bureaucracy, better opportunities etc.
Sicily is a wonderful place, probably one of the most marvellous place on Earth, but you can still visit it on your own.
Said all this, from a strictly professional and career-focused viewpoint, I suggest you to choose another country to enhance your job contacts and opportunities, unless you are specialising into some artistic field or into cuisine.
Don't take it as an offence, Italy has so many problems I can't even list them, if you plan on using this experience as something to improve your curriculum and your skills I warmly recommend you to go elsewhere.
Florence is a touristy fully international city, Palermo is not. Florence is well-connected to the rest of Italy ( 90 min to Milan and Rome with high-speed train) Palermo is not ( you must use planes to go pretty much everywhere ). Florence is fully European 1st world, Palermo is not (2nd world at best ).
That said, for a short period of time Palermo is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, since it is such an isolated and uncommon place to be. And the history and nature are amazing.
May I ask what do you study?
In all terms, set aside from a slight predominance in cuisine for Palermo, Florence wins hands down: better services, better city (although Palermo is astounding as well), better bureaucracy, better opportunities etc.
Sicily is a wonderful place, probably one of the most marvellous place on Earth, but you can still visit it on your own.
Said all this, from a strictly professional and career-focused viewpoint, I suggest you to choose another country to enhance your job contacts and opportunities, unless you are specialising into some artistic field or into cuisine.
Don't take it as an offence, Italy has so many problems I can't even list them, if you plan on using this experience as something to improve your curriculum and your skills I warmly recommend you to go elsewhere.
Grazie mille.
If I go to Palermo, I will study combined Master/ PhD course in Public Management and Policy (5 years). In Florence, I am into either Master of Economics or Finance (2 years). I heard the unemployment rate is very in Italy overall and even super high (27%) in Sicily. At the moment it's really hard to tell what's going on in my future but I prefer coming back to my homeland so maybe career opportunities can be set aside.
Btw how about the living cost? According to your experience or knowledge what is the recommended amount of money, monthly, I need to have for basic living in Palermo and Florence? In a student's standard.
Florence is a touristy fully international city, Palermo is not. Florence is well-connected to the rest of Italy ( 90 min to Milan and Rome with high-speed train) Palermo is not ( you must use planes to go pretty much everywhere ). Florence is fully European 1st world, Palermo is not (2nd world at best ).
That said, for a short period of time Palermo is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, since it is such an isolated and uncommon place to be. And the history and nature are amazing.
hmmm it even makes the choice harder but thanks. Florence is world renowned in almost every aspects of arts, culture, the architecture, etc. for sure. But as far as I am concerned and informed by even Italians living in my country, Palermo and Sicily sounds so exciting and mysterious. It stimulates the adventurous blood in my vain, really.
If I go to Palermo, I will study combined Master/ PhD course in Public Management and Policy (5 years). In Florence, I am into either Master of Economics or Finance (2 years). I heard the unemployment rate is very in Italy overall and even super high (27%) in Sicily. At the moment it's really hard to tell what's going on in my future but I prefer coming back to my homeland so maybe career opportunities can be set aside.
Btw how about the living cost? According to your experience or knowledge what is the recommended amount of money, monthly, I need to have for basic living in Palermo and Florence? In a student's standard.
May I give you a piece of advice?
Go to another university if you can: those masters can be highly fruitful if done in a good university and Europe has plenty more to offer.
Not only, mastering Italian (which would the obvious result of you living in Italy for 5 years) is a waste of time when compared to the possibility of learning German or French or even Spanish (considering you already speak English).
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