Living in Italy
Italian culture & student life
What to expect: food, manners, weekly rhythm and making friends.
Everyday life
- Coffee is drunk standing at the bar; cappuccino mostly in the morning.
- Lunch 12:30–14:00, dinner after 19:30. Many shops close in the early afternoon in small cities.
- Greet with 'Buongiorno' / 'Buonasera'; use 'Lei' (formal) with professors and offices.
- Sunday is quiet – supermarkets may have reduced hours.
University culture
- Exams are often oral; you can choose among several exam dates (appelli).
- Grades are out of 30 (18 = pass, 30 e lode = top). Final degree out of 110.
- Join ESN (Erasmus Student Network) for trips and events.
Learn some Italian
Even in English-taught programmes, A2 Italian makes housing, offices and part-time jobs much easier. Most universities offer free Italian courses for international students.
Official links
Rules and fees change every year. Always confirm on the official websites linked above.
Next guide
Health insurance & SSN registration →