T
Things I w
wish I would
h
have know
wn
b
before I lefft for ITAL
LY
Italy
y’s Amazing Culture
The
e REALLY Important Stufff
KSU Study
S
Abro
oad
My liffe will forever be
e changed
becau
use of Italy. From
m the small
towns to the big cities, history
surro
ounds you at eve
ery turn. It is so
fascin
nating to live and
d travel in a placce
that h
has been thriving
g for over
twentty-five centuries. My challenge to
o
you iss to engulf yoursself in the
culture, speak with th
he people, and
trave
el the unbeaten path.
p
You will
have the time of yourr life in Italy, my
y
mmendation is to
o see as much off
recom
the b
beautiful country as possible.
Kansas
s State Universiity
304
4 Fairchild Hall
Manhatttan, Kansas 665
506
Phone
e: 785-532-599
90
Fax: 785-532-6550
overrseas@ksu.edu
Written by:
Katherine G
Gallagher
(studied in Orvie
eto, Italy 2012)
Questions? Email:
kkatherinegallaghe
er6@gmail.com
PRE
E Departure Essentials
E
LIVIN
NG the LIFE
Trains arre the way to
o travel
Trenitalia.com is the train webssite. Although
e, trains are the best
b
way to
normally late
travel within th
he country. Alwayys VALIDATE
your ticket before you board
d the train!
Eatiing is an Eve
ent
Infla
atable Trave
el Pillow
These
e are a life saver on trains, planess and
busess. Plus they don’t weight a thing and fit
anyw
where!
Mon
ney Belt
Coursed meals with no pressure
e to scarf your
ou do need to
food make eating an event. If yo
o ask for the checck or you will
go you have to
be there until the next meal.
P Favore. (eel-ccon-toe)
Il Conto Per
“T
The Check Please””
Bathro
ooms aren’t Free
Buy itt, Wear it. Not Kid
dding. It takes so
ome
gettin
ng used to but on
nce you get mone
ey
stolen
n you will feel silly
y for not wearing
g it.
Also, Italy is a cash so
ociety so you will
n you.
alwayys have money on
Restrooms are
e for customers only,
o
so buy a
delicious pa
astry then you can
n use their
facilities.
Unlo
ock Your Celll Phone
Don’t just go to
t the supermarkkets for food;
stock up on th
he freshest fruits,, vegetables,
meats and che
eese at the open air markets,
typiically twice a wee
ek.
Manyy wireless provide
ers in Italy allow you
y to
buy a sim card and pu
ut money on it as
neede
ed.
Cop
py your Documents
Passp
port, credit cards,, visas, driver’s liccense,
insura
ance card…make a copy just in ca
ase.
Fres
sh food Mark
kets
Skype is cheap and
d easy
Unlimited calls to your friends and families
ee if they are
cell phones for $6 a month. Fre
on skype too!
Must S
See’s Before you RETURN
N
No
orthern Italy
y
V
Venice – My Italia
an history teacher
refe
erred to it as “Disneyland”. I would
d
have tto agree, magical.
Cinque Terre – Five coasstal cities liked by
y
winding path alon
ng the cliffs edge.
aw
C
Central Italy
y
Small T
Towns – all of Tusscany and Umbria
a
al
is fille
ed with quant tow
wns that will stea
your hea
art. Here is where
e I plug Orvieto –
n
a hilll town that overlo
ooks the Umbrian
landsccape. (picture above)
Rome – w
where it all began.
y
So
outhern Italy
e
Isle off Capri – Island ssurrounded by the
Mediterrranean Sea with some of the most
e
magn
nificent hiking tra
ails and expansive
views.
y
All of Italy
d
While studying abroa
ad I only traveled
y
outside of Italy twice. I would strongly
e
holistic experience
recommend getting a h
of tthe entire countryy. There is such a
e
dive
erse culture, from
m the north to the
n
south it can feel as if you
u are no longer in
tthe same country.