Unless you are being paid in nero (under the table), opening a bank account may be on your list of things to do. I walked into the bank with my head held high, assuming I would leave the building in an hour with a checkbook and a debit card in hand but, alas, I left […]
Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of year. It’s a time for family, friends, and food. However, being away from home for the holidays isn’t always easy, especially when you have to spend half of your day trying to find canned pumpkin. Anyway, just because you are living in a foreign country doesn’t mean you can’t […]
Enjoying an aperitivo with my classmates from Academya Lingue Living in a new country can be challenging, especially if you don’t know the local language. Once you get past the initial shock and get settled into your new environment, you might start craving some human connection. Luckily, there are some great resources out there for […]
Okay, usually it isn’t THIS crowded in Bologna, but the Pope was in town for the day Italy is a beautiful country with amazing people, delicious food, and spectacular sights. It’s not difficult to embrace the warm culture and inviting, friendly people. While I love their smiles and enthusiastic greetings, there is one cultural difference […]
The juxtaposition of a modern technology store with an ancient building is quite an interesting sight, but I digress. If you have become a recipient of the “Your account has incurred approximately $389127891.00″ in international data charges” message, then welcome to the club! Every day hundreds, if not thousands, of expats all around the globe receive […]
Narrowing down your possessions for a long trip can be difficult. The phrase “only pack the essentials” is very subjective. For you, the essentials might be t-shirts and face wash, but for me it more closely resembles boxes of Kraft macaroni and cheese and a jar of peanut butter. Apart from advising you to bring […]
The codice fiscale is tax code that many foreigners may have to obtain to open a bank account, pay utilities, have a job, sign a lease, sign up for Italian healthcare, and even to buy some things online. This tax code is the equivalent of the American Social Security Number (SSN). While Italians receive their codice fiscale at birth, […]
