European Currency: The Euro!

It felt so cool to hold 500 and 1,000 dollar bills in Prague! -Czech korunas!

-Submitted by Michelle Farhang, Abroad101′s Global Ambassador in Florence, Italy

The euro is the currency used in Italy, and it has definitely made an impact on most students on the trip. A euro roughly equals 1.306 American dollars. It doesn’t seem like that big of a difference, but when you are making travel plans, a two hundred and fifty dollar trip quickly becomes over three hundred and twenty five dollars. Around Italy, the biggest issue is shopping, eating and drinking. A fifteen dollar meal is really almost twenty dollars. My classes are six hours long, so we have a lunch break during which I usually get a panino for around five euro. It’s not a bad price at all, but it’s really around seven American dollars. Throw in a cappucino, and that adds up for an everyday expense. Read more →

It’s the Little Things, Part One

Studying abroad is all about new experiences, big and small. Although the smaller day to day details may be forgotten over the course of time, there are a few memories that I will never forget. These moments were branded on my memory, and every time I think about them I can’t help but smile, or even laugh to myself. It was the little moments during my time abroad in Florence, Italy that made my experience what it was; unique and extraordinary. I wanted to share a few of my small, yet favorite memories during my time abroad! They may seem silly to an outsider, but they will give you some insight into the kind of significant experiences that changed my life, broadened my perspectives, and taught me lessons that I won’t soon be forgetting. Read more →