The American University of Rome

Have fun and keep an open mind. Get cheap tickets on Europebyair.com, ryanair.com, and virginexpress.com. Travel as much as possiable, every country is so different and has so much to offer.... eurorails can be good, but i found alot of times its cheaper to fly everywhere if you get the cheap tickets.

If you are buying things in the street sometimes you can get people to bring down the price. Eat at smaller places during the day, and save your big meal for the end of the day. Keep an eye on the exchange rate, especailly if you are taking money out on a debit card. Dont buy tourist stuff near the Trevi Fountain, and definitely dont go out to eat in popular tourist places near trevi fountain, Pantheon, or Vatican City

Make sure you keep up with the exchange rates and what certain ATM's charge for withdrawals. Inform yourselves. My financial surprise occurred when in the beginning of one semester, my loan didn't come on time. I was broke and it was no joke. Luckily I was resourceful and bridged the gap until the funds were on my account.

Save the shopping till the end because you will want that money for food and travel!!

At the university, all you need is Italian, unless you want to be part of the Italian crowd which, I dont suggest (well, if you like riding around in Mercedes and talking Via Condotti shopping) Out side it was ok, although the Italians dont mesh well with the Americans, it was kind of embarrassing being stared at for being an outsider. If you know the language, your ok but if not only the local pizza place might give you a break, no more than that though. Dont expact to make a lot of local friends-they dont want to mesh with you.

Do not believe the hype of AURs website. Also, if you are not doing study abroad but choosing to attend independently for a while, make sure that any courses you take can be transferred to a home university. If not, a home university may charge you a large amount to review what is applicable.