Italy has very welcoming weather with beautiful blue skies and a warm climate as compared to the northern neighbors. Students can learn a new language while studying in Italy. Italy's impressive churches and artistic history intrigue many visitors. Italy has inspired several poets and artists with its natural beauty. It has produced many distinguished designers such as Versace, Armani, Gucci, Benetton, and Prada. Italy offers scrumptious food at very affordable rates and is also home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Culture in Italy is as flavored as their food, with many things that will catch your attention the moment you arrive. Family is the center of the social structure and provides a stabilizing influence for its members. Food, as you can probably guess, is a means for maintaining ties among family and friends. Greetings are enthusiastic yet rather formal, usually consisting of a handshake with direct eye contact. But when the relationship develops expect air-kissing on both cheeks.
Italians are very expressive communicators. They tend to be wordy, effusive and demonstrative, often using facial and hand gestures to prove their point. Don't be surprised if you're interrupted while speaking or for several people to speak at once.
Italian is the language of a majority of Italy’s population, but there are also minorities of German, French, Slovene, and Ladino speakers. Part of your study abroad experience in Italy could be to study the Italian language, which is a great way to understand the local customs, meet new people and explore the culture in Italy in the most authentic and immersive way possible. Contacts at International Offices of the universities and many students are fluent English speakers, but be aware that English is not always widely spoken in Italy, especially among older people. Therefore, if you travel away from the busier central areas, it is best to have some knowledge of the Italian language in order to communicate and make the most out of your time there.
Italy is home to some of the oldest universities in the world and is the founder of the Bologna process. Students who are passionate about fields like art, architecture or fashion must study in Italy. The city offers a multicultural ambiance and is considered to be one of the most student-friendly places in Europe. The locals in Italy are warm and outgoing. Italy has an ultra-developed public transportation system that makes it easier for students to commute from one place to another at cheaper rates.
Tuition Fees in Italy are generally lower than in other countries in Europe. Institutions of higher education in Italy establish their own tuition fees, but in the case of university education, there is a legal minimum cost for enrollment and a maximum cost for student contributions, which cannot exceed 20% of state funding. Admission to "master universitari" and other specialized degree courses in Italy may have much higher tuition fees. Doctoral students who receive university grants do not pay tuition fees, but non-grant holders are required to pay the tuition fees of their university.