Whats it like to live in italy?

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.Laura

Do you want go in a foreing place without knowing the language?? how arrogant this can be? what do you expect we are all there just for you ? When you all realize you have to respect other places you just cant think to go in a place and be so arrogant not knowing a word of the language they speak there! or we should all speak in english (american?) to make you happy??

Cassandra H

italy is a beautiful country filled with amazing architecture and blissful scenery. the food is excellent. teenagers are the same as americans but have better taste in almost everything. italians are respectful and adventurous. they like taking small trips during the year but are still focused on school and work.

Al M

Ignore the "." guy above. He's an idiot. Although he may well be an Italian, since very few Italians are actually brave enough to ever leave their country to study or go on holiday.

The other responders above have made some good points.

On language, it is true that there are dozens of local dialects and that is what most Italians speak most of the time. The language the world knows as Italian is actually based on the Tuscan dialect. However, virtually all Italians under 60 years old or so do speak standard Italian.

It is possible for tourists to get by here with very little Italian, since Italians are generally very kind and patient and most people seem to have the attitude that there's no reason why foreigners should be expected to know Italian.

The other responders are also right to say that it matters a lot where exactly you will be during your time in Italy.

Since you will be in Italy on an exchange program, I would be very surprised if the organisers did not provide you with detailed advice on what to bring and what to leave behind. Maybe you could come back here and ask for opinions on that advice when you've got it?

Andrea A

Ok i live in Italy and if you listen to me i'll explain you the situation!!!

1)Northern italians are different from the southerns so you have to tell me which city are you going to!!!!

2)Don't think too much about your behavior: if we understand that you aren't italian we don't get disappointed.

3)Don't get scared if you hear people screaming while talking...it's common.

4)Don't get scared by the traffic...streets are quite small and many drivers drive like animals

5)Food is great: IS ITALY!!!!you won't find any KFC any Starbucks(but you'll taste the real coffee and espresso) and just few McDonald's.

6)Not all the cities have the underground and someone has just a couple of line of busses.

7)Talking about money: Milan and Rome are quite expensive...more than many cities of USA also because of the Euro, but however are less expensive than Paris and London.

8)You' ll find museums in every city.

9)If you don't know where t go to eat and you want to go top a top class restaurant ask taxi drivers!!!!

10)For further information ask me soon!!!!

And don't forget to tell me which city are you going to: IT'S VERY IMPORTANT!!!!!

Leo

not much different of any other european country

Ashely

italy is much like and old style elegant country for many people because there's alot of history ,...i think you should take some friends with you :) and American candy because there is no American candy in Italy ..but the candy is goooood too over there > anyways you should buy the adapters in Best Buy my sister go them there when she went to Spain Good luck !

Gregory

dude i'll tell u if u want to learn italian, italy is not the right place lol, there r so many differences... in some little town, they speak each other not even in italian :D (obviously they do with others), in big city they have kind of a slang, that is totally different from city to city, in Italy we joke a lot about this, anyway u will be an excange studend so they will talk with u with the "right italian" lol
things u should know... let's c, kids say hi each others kissing each other cheeks (not really kissing, just touching, especially between girls), enjoy our food, when u c alchool don't abuse of it, trust me is always avaiable (i don't even know if we have legal age for drinking), so if u want to get wasted, just hang out with your friends the night (especially saturday), don't get wasted in public or by your friends during the week and during the day, they will think u r stupid... bout what to pack depends where u go, but i suggest u to pack as much as possible, cause clothes in Italy r more expensive than U.S.
can i ask u where u will go? so i can help u even more...

mela

Living in Italy is fun, I have been here for 20 years. The cities are beautiful and, depending where you are, there is alot to do. You should pack for the very hot and the very cold weather because Italy gets it all. Unless you are going to Sicily the weather can get very cold in the winter - right now it is snowing for example. Last week it was quite warm!!!
Italy has 220v and so you will need an adapter but they are sold all over the place. Try to study a bit of italian before you leave so that you will be able to talk to people. Italian has a 'formal' and 'informal' way of talking and so you should become familiar with that. Having said that, though, the italians do realize that foreigners confuse this and its no big deal really. Italian teenagers like to go out alot just like all teenagers, I guess. I have a teenage boy (16) and he likes to hang out downtown with his friends, go to the disco and shop for clothes. clothes are very expensive here, especially name brand stuff, so bring plenty with you. You will have fun - enjoy

Ph. Benny

Good luck!=) You will have a lot of fun, italians are very friendly but there are some things you need to know for your safety and to avoid embarassing situations.
First, the basic manners: you won't find so much differences with the manners you are used to, just remember that "adult" italians usually don't start talking with someone they don't know , so if you want to make a conversation with somebody maybe you need to do the first step.
If you need to ask directions or something, tell it clearly or people could think you are asking for money and they won't stop to answer; don't ask old people if you don't speak a very good Italian because they absolutely don't understand English.
For you safety: don't walk alone at night, be careful with people you don't know and ABSOLUTELY don't trust young boys from East Europe or Africa, I'm not racist but there are a lot of cases of young woman raped and sometimes killed by them, be careful!
Carry always your money in a safe place but never bring with you all the money you have got, expecially at night; credit card are widely accepted.
What should you pack? It depends from where in Italy you will go! Give more details...
Plug adapters are not hard to find here, unless you stay in a very small town.
Enjoy Italy!=)

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Don't bother about the "dot" guy. Maybe you don't speak Italian, and so what? It seems like you are coming here to learn it, and nobody wants to study what he already knows.
You will speak a good Italian after you had the opportunity to practise it in everyday life for months.

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