Italy vs. U.S.

Obviously, there are going to be many differences; you are in another country! Here are some points to take note of when traveling and living in Italy!

Living

Living spaces are smaller! I'm 5'9" and luckily I had requested a single room through my program as I knew I would need more space. Try to get a single room if you can! If not, double rooms are not too bad, but expect to not have much privacy.
Kitchen space is also smaller, especially if you have roommates.
Expect to go grocery shopping more. Food if more fresh and not processed in any way, which makes food spoil quicker.
- Milk and eggs are NOT kept in refrigerators at the store!
- You do not have to buy the whole case of sodas, water, or juice at the stores. Just take the bottles you want!
When doing laundry, take note that many places tend to not have dryers. Laundromats usually have dryers to use if you're in desperate need.
- Air drying clothes tends to be a day or two long process, so plan accordingly.

Food

In Europe, people tend to eat later, so expect restaurants to be lively at later times.
Food is cheaper!
When going out to eat with others, it's not normal to split the check. Download Cashapp, Venmo, etc. to send money back to friends or carry some Euros.
Just carry Euros in general! Many local food places tend to not take cards.
Pizza is not pre-cut into slices and it's normal to eat it with a fork and knife. If the pizza is precut when you get it, that's a good indication that the restaurant is probably meant for tourists (but those places still have great food).
If you go to Italy in the fall/winter months, gelato places will most likely be closed!
Get used to eating Italian food. Smaller towns tend to only have Italian food! In Verona, there were only two Chinese restaurants and one American restaurant.
Water is NOT free! They charge by the bottle.
Aperitivo time is one of the best times to go out and get a little something to eat. Usually with some sort of drink, they also bring small snacks (peanuts, popcorn, etc.) along with it!
Small farmer's markets and food stands are very popular and tend to be cheaper! Check schedules when farmers markets are available and sometimes the locations change depending on the day!
If you want to have a glass of wine with your meal but are unsure of which one to choose, ask the waiter! They tend to know what wine goes with each dish to make it more tasty!
It is not common to tip! But if you particularly like the service from a waiter, go ahead and give them a tip! They may not accept it at first, but explain to them you appreciate their service!

Public Transportation

Google Maps is very helpful! Google Maps will tell you which buses and trains to take to get to your desired location.
Download Trenitalia! It keeps your train tickets all in the app, remembers past locations, and remembers your card to make tickets easy to purchase!
- Do not "raw dog" any public transportation systems! Officers can ticket you and you will be fined on the spot, usually about 50 euros!
- If you do get fined, have some form of identification on you, and be respectful! Officers can charge more if you're being rude.
Electric scooters have become more popular and are easy to use! Download the app for the specific scooter and hop on! They are easy if your destination is within an hour's range (by walking). Such apps include Lime, Dott, and Scoot.
A 30-minute walk is not that bad! Things tend to be closer in European countries and walking 30 minutes is actually easier than you think!
Buses are not always on time! Try to get to the stop at least 30 minutes before you are supposed to get to a destination, especially in the mornings and in the afternoons when people get off of work. The buses can get packed!
Uber and other carpooling apps tend to not be used in smaller cities. Ask locals for the numbers for taxis (some speak English) or associated apps with the local taxis.

Culture

Italian people tend to dress nicer, so if you don't want to stick out, dress up a little!
They use military time! An easy trick is after 12 o'clock, subtract two from the number and remove the 1. For example, if it is 16:00, subtract 2 (14), and remove the one. It's 4 o'clock!
They separate their trash and categorize the different wastes in different colored trash cans.
- Glass, plastic, cans - green
- Cardboard and paper - yellow
- Organic/food - brown
- Other trash - grey
Cover up! European countries care a lot about respect! This is a rule, especially in churches. A good rule is to always take a light jacket/sweater just in case!
- Females: cover up shoulders, and chest, and wear dresses/shorts that at least go down to mid-thigh.
- Males: cover up the arms up to elbows and refrain from wearing shorts.
(Mainly for females) cat-calling is very common! Try to ignore them and make sure you're nowhere alone. If you have to be alone, be in a populated area and share your location with a trusted friend.
Be respectful of public transportation spaces. Do not put your feet up on seats or put your bag(s) in an empty seat. It's considered rude.
It's normal for people to stare! Do not take it as an offense, people are just curious, especially if you're speaking a different language in front of them! Sometimes, people will even approach you and spark up a conversation!
Nightlife is common and highly recommended if you are of age (in Italy, it is 18 years old)! It is a great way to meet locals and get rid of stress from your classes.

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