Living costs
Italian towns are still full of many small specialised shops although there are a growing number of supermarkets and shopping centres appearing in and around towns.
If you are shopping for food, find out which day is market day in your town and enjoy a real Italian experience of buying your fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, cheese, groceries as well as a wide range of household products at reasonable prices.
You will no doubt enjoy buying Italian food but if you sometimes crave for food from home, large supermarkets now carry a range of non Italian food and some specialised shops exist in the cities.
If you are shopping for clothes, accessories or other articles, large towns will have department stores but most Italians still prefer to shop in small speciality stores and boutiques where they receive greater attention and a more personalised service.
Considering accommodation, food, telephone, local travel and leisure costs, students should consider a monthly budget of 700-900 Euro, depending on the location.