Studying in Italy 2626 Responses

Last post: 8 months ago | Thread started: May 18, 12, 3:19 p.m.

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• Presta

  Can anyone think of a reason why it would be a bad idea to go to school Perugia, Italy for 18+ months to learn Italian?

  I'm about to pull the trigger on this. I know how much school, housing, and food will cost in Italy. The largest expense, relative to US prices, seems to be entertainment and restaurants. Is there anything I'm not thinking about? Are there other expenses that come with living in Italy? I plan to walk/cycle everywhere, so I won't have a car. I'd like to hear from people living in Italy. Will the current economy affect a student very much?

  My goal is to become fluent, find a job, and live permanently there (I'm aware that jobs hard to find). Will my fluency in English and Italian give me an edge when the time comes to find work at an agency?

  May 18, 12, 3:19 p.m. – Permalink

• kalkal

  Is it not likely that many of the people in the jobs which you are looking for already have a fluency in English and Itailian to begin with? I imagine it's fairly common for Italians to be fairly fluent in English, at least a large quantity of them..

  

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  Dog-earMay 18, 12, 3:23 p.m. – Permalink

• Presta

  ^ That's what I assumed. But on my trips there, it seemed the majority of people couldn't speak English. They knew a very small amount. I didn't speak with any designer-types though.

  I'm not counting on double-fluency to land me a job. I just thought it might help if I apply at a large design agency or working in-house at an international company.

  

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  Dog-earMay 18, 12, 3:32 p.m. – Permalink

• dobre

  Can't you secure job first then learn the languange as you go? I know a friend who got job abroad without knowing a local word. Well, good luck!

  

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  Dog-earMay 18, 12, 4:15 p.m. – Permalink

• Presta

  ^ I think this would be difficult to achieve. I don't have any design connections in Italy. If the opportunity arises that I'm offered a job, then I could take it. But to wait here in the US until an agency hires me... I don't think I could wait that long. I'd rather kill time by going to school while at the same time looking for work, as to not feel pressured to find a job quickly.

  I think I'll have a better idea of what I'll do once I get there.

  

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  Dog-earMay 18, 12, 4:29 p.m. – Permalink

• ebertzjaw

  the italian economy is fucked

  • debt rising faster than growth– ebertzjaw1/5

    'killing time' going to school.. pffft.– ebertzjaw2/5

    Well I might as well do something productive for myself until things turn around. Something that could actually help me get work.– Presta3/5

    help me get work.– Presta4/5

    go to shanghai.– ebertzjaw5/5

  

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  Dog-earMay 18, 12, 5:35 p.m. – Permalink

• Presta

  I'm counting on the economy improving when I complete school, which should be about two years. If it doesn't, and I can't find work, what else is there to do but head back? At least I gave it a shot :)

  

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  Dog-earMay 18, 12, 5:42 p.m. – Permalink

• djmix

  Just out of curiosity, how much are the tuition costs for something like this? Is it expensive?

  • Tuition is 1200 Euro for 3 months. The advanced classes are slightly more.– Presta

  

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  Dog-earMay 18, 12, 5:44 p.m. – Permalink

• identity

  

  
  They still mad bro?

  • < hey. that's mg33. lol.– akrok

  

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  Dog-earMay 18, 12, 5:45 p.m. – Permalink

• Irafis

  Did you consider the possibility to go in the Italian part of Switzerland? It's where i live (Lugano). Nice place, we have an University (Communication and Economics) and 2 good design Schools. Lugano is just 45 min from Milan and 30 min from Como. The life is more expensive than Italy ... but if you want to get a job in design you have more chances here (or in Zurich). In Italy prepare to earn $ 1200 a month (if you are very very lucky) and pay more of 50% in taxes. Perugia is a very nice city btw ..

  Take a look here: http://www.ticino.ch/en/

  

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  Dog-earMay 18, 12, 6:51 p.m. – Permalink

• Presta

  Lugano looks nice. Thanks for the suggestion. I've never been there and don't know much about it. Also not sure that a Communcations / Economics / Design school would benefit me at this point. I've decided on Perugia because the language school is reputable and intensive. I've been there a few times, so I have a good feel for the city. I'm just already committed to it...

  

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  Dog-earMay 18, 12, 8:21 p.m. – Permalink

• Presta

  Also, I should've stated above, I don't plan on finding design work in Perugia. I'd probably have to go to Milan or Rome for that after I finish school.

  

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  Dog-earMay 18, 12, 8:23 p.m. – Permalink

• sadpanda

  If you got a dream, follow it!

  • agree.– ebertzjaw

  

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  Dog-earMay 19, 12, 1:45 a.m. – Permalink

• dobre

  And if not workin, instead of goin home move to Jakarta or Bangkok, get an expat salary & spend local.

  • Ur Italian will give u extra 'artistry' creds & girls.– dobre

  

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  Dog-earMay 19, 12, 2:28 a.m. – Permalink

• Beeswax

  Even if you can't realize some of your goals, living abroad and learning a new language is a priceless experience for anybody.
  Even though you'll need them at first, just try not to hang-out too much with your own people there, mix in the culture.

  

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  Dog-earMay 19, 12, 4:31 a.m. – Permalink

• e-pill

  i studied in italy but way back in 1995.. its awesome!!

  

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  Dog-earMay 19, 12, 10:03 a.m. – Permalink

• loool

  just do this:
  

  

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  Dog-earMay 19, 12, 11:18 a.m. – Permalink

• Presta

  Almost four months after I started this thread, and today I've received my Italian visa in the mail, which will last for one year. Hell yeah.

  I sold everything I owned, including my car. And everything that I do still own will fit into one small suitcase (plus a case for my bike). Sure feels nice getting rid of excess crap.

  I leave in exactly two weeks! So stoked.

  These are the steps that lead to the apartment I'm renting...

  

  
  

  

  Should be an interesting adventure...

  

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  Dog-earSep 13, 12, 10:36 p.m. – Permalink

• GeorgesII

  Good luck to you mate,
  just let me know if you ever come north or need any help with the bureaucracy.

  • Thanks G!– Presta

  

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  Dog-earSep 13, 12, 10:43 p.m. – Permalink

• Presta

  What's a good cellular mobile carrier in Italy? I saw a ton of Wind shops last time I was there.

  • vodafone,
    wind comes as a second choice,
    then TIM– GeorgesII1/2

    k, i'll hit vodaphone first.– Presta2/2

  

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  Dog-earSep 13, 12, 10:58 p.m. – Permalink

• Peter

  Nice going Presta.

  Little over a decade ago I did something similar.
  Didn't sell all my stuff, like you, but I did go across half the globe set on (in a sense) making it 'over there'.

  It takes dedication, patience and some stupidity. But the leap has it rewards. Some immediate, some long term (where I am now), and some yet to be seen.

  Best of luck.

  • Thanks Peter. Where did you go?– Presta1/4

    nicely said– loool2/4

    Presta, Tokyo / Japan.
    loool, thanks– Peter3/4

    Dayum, my balls aren't big enough yet to go to an asian country.– Presta4/4

  

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  Dog-earSep 13, 12, 10:59 p.m. – Permalink