What is one of the main reasons people go to a different country to study? The most obvious answer would be to gain a better understanding of a culture different from their own. Though the United Kingdom and Italy are part of one big geographical entity, it does not follow that the culture and customs in these countries are the same. In fact, it could be said that these are two very different groups of people. As such, you should be prepared to immerse yourself in your new community to gain as much experience and knowledge as possible.
In trying to know the Italian culture, you must make an effort. The initiative should come from you – you should not wait for the locals to make the first move. Though Italians are well known for being very friendly, it would do you no harm to try and get to know them first. Within the campus premises it might be easier for you as you have more in common with the people there. Lasting friendships have been formed because of studying abroad.
Another thing you could do to create bonds with people and explore the country at the same time would be to organise trips. Whether the trip is outside of the city or within the city itself, the important thing is the time spent with your fellow students. Many universities can help you with this activity.
A good idea would be to spend some time around your neighborhood. Get to know the local students as well as the regular community fixture such as vendors. This way, you would actually know what it is like to be an Italian. More than that, this is a great way to practice your Italian. If one of your goals is to learn the language, there is no better way to put it into practice by speaking Italian with the locals. You may be stuttering during your first few weeks but after awhile you’d see the improvement. More than that, the locals would surely appreciate your efforts in learning and using their language.
No matter what you do, the important thing is to be respectful. If you treat others with respect, they will surely return the favor.
Being one of the most modern countries in the world, transportation is not really a problem in Italy. You can choose from buses, rail transport, cars, scooters, and airplanes. For local travel, you can even go on foot. In fact, this is the best way to get around if you want to inspect every nook and cranny of the cities which are full of history.
For students, the most affordable mode of transport would be the bus. Getting around a city would be no problem as local bus lines carry out their operations at regular intervals. Buses are not limited to within cities. If you are planning an out of town trip, you can also take the intercity buses. Other buses connect to smaller towns as well. Alternatively, you can hire a motorbike or a scooter. This particular mode of transport is actually quite popular, especially with young people, nowadays. People riding around on Vespas are a very common sight in many Italian cities.
The Italian rail system is quite modern and efficient. The Ferrovie dello Stato (FS) is the institution tasked with the operation of the railway system. As it is partially privatised, it has the resources to ensure efficient, safe, and affordable travel. If you are looking to travel from one city to another, the ETR 450 is your best bet. Students have the privilege of getting the Cataverde, which is a discount card. This costs about 20 euros (23 GBP) per year. Having the Cataverde entitles the holder to 20% discount on first and second class tickets on all trains.
You may also hire a car but that would of course mean more expenses. In addition to this, Italians are not really well known for being predictable drivers. So, you might want to think twice about hiring a car. More so, you need to be at least 21 to hire one. Hiring a car for out of town trips may be a good idea, though. This is especially true if you are planning a trip to an out of the way town. It would be better if you arrange such a trip with a group of people.
Italy, being a modern country, has a well developed health care system. As such, you don’t really have to worry about the quality of health care that will be available to you should the need arise. You can expect the same care you would receive as if you were back home in the United Kingdom.
It would not be unusual if sometime during your stay, you come down with the flu or some sort of bug. The climate in Italy is generally different from that of the climate in the UK. As such, your body would have to adjust to the difference. That is why it is advisable to bring basic over the counter medicine with you. If you do not have any kind of medication available with you, there is no need to worry. There are pharmacies all over the country. Much like in any other European country, pharmacies are easy to spot with the universal green cross. If you get a cold or the flu, the first thing you do is visit the pharmacy. The local pharmacist will be more than willing to help you find the right medication. So, it is advisable to know exactly where the nearest pharmacy is. Most locations also have one or two pharmacies which operate 24 hours a day. Note where they are in case you have need of them.
For more serious illnesses, your academic institution may have arrangements with a doctor who can pay you a visit at your residence. In most cases, however, they will only provide you with contact details of walk-in clinics or hospitals where you could go in case of an emergency. In the former case, you would probably have to pay an additional fee for the home visit.
It is advisable that you take out medical health insurance for your study abroad. If you already have an existing health insurance policy, you can check whether or not it would cover your stay in Italy. You should do this before you leave the UK. As with most European counties, the cost of hospitalization and other medical attention may cost a considerable amount. As such, insurance is a good way to prepare for emergencies. Your program may also provide such insurance.
