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About Cimba |
Tips for Living in Italy |
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Money Matters
Budgeting: Learning how to manage your finances is an important part of your international education. Use the budget information that we provide to help prepare a personal budget. Be prepared to spend a little extra money the first few days. Once you reach your destination, review your budget and see where adjustments need to be made (if any). Stick to your revised version. This will help you not spend more than you intended to.
Currency & Spending: The unit of currency in Italy is the euro. The sign for this new European currency is an €. The Euro € is now the official currency in 12 participating member states of the European Union: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain. All euros are valid currency in all 12 participating member countries. When you travel within these 12 countries, you will not have to convert currency. When you travel outside the 12 member states you may have to convert to their currency although the Euro is rapidly becoming accepted in more and more locations.
Prices in Italy are in line with the rest of Europe. Generally speaking, you will find that prices are about the same in Paderno and Asolo as they are in the major cities of Italy. Italy is largely a "cash and carry" society. Credit cards are not as widely accepted in Italy as they are in the US, so you should not count on using them for buying train tickets, shopping for groceries and paying for day-to-day expenses in general. Larger train stations will accept credit cards. However, do not arrive at the station expecting them to take your card. It is best to carry cash for typical day-to-day purchases such as groceries and person¬al supplies. Credit card usage and the number of stores accept¬ing them are increasing. MasterCard and Visa are the most widely ac¬cepted, followed by American Express.
Accessing Money: There are automatic teller machines (ATMs) in many convenient locations that are accessible 24 hours a day. Cirrus and Plus are widely recognized in Europe. Most credit cards also allow for cash advances as long as you know your personal identification number (PIN). Another thing to keep in mind is that many European ATM’s will not accept debit/credit cards that have PIN numbers longer than 5 digits or that begin with a zero, so get an appropriate PIN from your bank, if necessary. If you have travelers’ checks in US dollars or other currencies, they may be cashed at banks and exchange offices (for a fee) throughout Italy during regular business hours. It’s important to note that a lot of credit card companies are beginning to charge a transaction fee for purchases made abroad. You should determine these fees in advance as it may change the way you wish to pay for things while abroad.
Laundry
Doing laundry anywhere in Europe is more difficult and more expensive than in the U.S. While laundry facilities vary between the campuses, laundry services are available in both Asolo and Paderno. Washing small amounts of laundry in dorm rooms is one way to reduce the effort and expense of using a laundry service. If washing clothes in your room, make sure not to use regular washing machine detergent, but rather a hand-washing liquid such as Woolite.
Store Hours and Shopping Customs
Hours of operation differ significantly in Italy and most of Europe. Remember to remain flexible when needing to get currency, purchase a particular product or go to a restaurant. Most stores are open from approximately 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Clothing stores usually are closed on Monday morning or sometimes for the entire day, while grocery stores generally close on Monday and Wednesday afternoons. Restaurants often close on either Monday or Tuesday. Except in tourist areas, stores are generally closed on Sundays. Store hours usually are posted.
Additionally, it is inappropriate in most stores to touch or handle merchandise as people do in the US. Watch other Italians, and be sure to ask a salesperson before handling or trying on an item. A receipt must be given upon the purchase of a product or service in Italy, and receipts must be in the customer’s possession for the first 100 meters after leaving the premises. Therefore, it is important to always carry receipts out of an establishment in order to avoid fines and embarrassment.
Banks in Italy are open Monday through Friday, usually from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., although opening and closing hours vary slightly from bank to bank. ATMs tend to be accessible 24 hours a day.
Italian Cuisine
The Italian food we are used to in the U.S. is different from the food found in Italy. The traditional full Italian meal consists of antipasti (appetizer), primo piatto (generally a pasta or rice dish), secondo piatto (usually some kind of meat dish) with contorno (side dish), followed by a dessert, fruit or cheese plate. Most students will not eat an entire meal, as it is more expensive, time consuming and filling! When eating in a restaurant, however, it is generally acceptable to choose at least two items. Other alternatives include paninoteche (sandwich shops), pizzerie (pizza places) or self-service (cafeteria-style service). Small cafés usually have sandwiches for sale. If eating or drinking in a café, it is customary to order at the cash register and then take the receipt to an individual behind the counter. If you wish to eat at a table, take a seat and then order as the price for sitting at a table and standing at the bar or counter is different. Restaurants near tourist locations and in city centers tend to be more expensive. Traveling off the beaten path can save money. Most places post a menu outside and it is advisable for the price-conscious to shop around. Look for restaurants that are full of locals; it usually means the food is good and the price is right.
Tipping
When dining out, an additional fee (coperto) will be added onto the bill. This is a cover charge generally listed on the menu and it usually replaces a tip. A small tip would be a nice gesture but is not required. As with dining out, other services such as taxis and hairdressers build tips into the price. Tipping is not generally expected in Italy and some Italians may refuse to take a tip when offered.
Alcohol
Alcohol is one cause of the negative stereotypes of American youth. Drunkenness is viewed poorly in Italy and Europe in general; it is incredibly rare to see an Italian intoxicated. While wine is enjoyed with meals, it is meant to accent the taste of the food and people limit themselves to one or two glasses. While living in Italy and traveling through Europe, follow local customs so as not to offend others and embarrass yourself or others with you.
Laws
Students must abide by the laws of all countries they visit. Laws in European countries differ from U.S. laws, but that does not excuse students from not following them. Be aware of the common laws of the countries you are planning to visit. Be particularly mindful of involvement with drugs. Drug use by program participants will not be tolerated. Additionally, drug laws in other countries vary; however, these laws tend to be much more severe than in the U.S.
If encountering serious problems, American embassies and/or consulates can offer some assistance. They can provide a list of local attorneys and physicians, contact friends or family on students’ behalf to request funds or guidance, and provide assistance during civil unrest or natural disaster. Embassies cannot cash personal checks, arrange for free medical or legal services, provide bail, get students out of jail, or act as couriers or interpreters. The Consortium cannot provide these services either.
Saving Memories
Students will experience many exciting things while abroad and will want to remember them. Keep a journal that lists the places visited on specific dates, and perhaps stories or interesting information as well. Many cameras also have a date stamp feature that can help when matching pictures to the journal entries. Postcards also are an easy and inexpensive way to save memories. Buy a postcard and write on the back the date and a description of places visited. |
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