Italy: Travel guide, visas and free housing · 2026

ASAdemi Seiilkhanovaademi.erbazina · Jan 7, 2023Read

The future is in the hands of the youth! This is why it is so important for young people to receive an education, gain experience, and serve their country. There are many programs for youth to study abroad and gain experience in the country, including Bolashak, WAT USA, and academic mobility programs, which I consider the best. Such programs have many benefits for young people: they broaden their knowledge, enhance their experience, allow them to study the culture and language of other nations, learn to apply modern technologies in life, implement them in our country, and also make friends from other countries and become advanced citizens. My name is Ademi, I was born in the city of Aktobe, and I am currently a 3rd-year student at Zhubanov University, a prestigious educational institution in the western region. I have many hobbies for all-around development; I love reading books, watching movies, especially Marvel, watching football, and learning languages is a special pleasure for me. Since childhood, I have dreamed of studying abroad and traveling a lot. But now I am studying in Kazakhstan, so I try to make the most of the opportunities provided for a high-quality and interesting student life. Currently, I am studying in the Republic of Poland for one academic semester on a grant from the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan. This was my first trip abroad, and I am very grateful to Allah, my parents, and the university staff for being here at this time. It was a big step for a 19-year-old dreamy girl. Here, I am not only improving my English but also learning Polish, have found many friends, broadened my horizons, and seen the culture and lifestyle of other nations. I was also a volunteer at the university; in Poland, there are many competitions and sports events for different age categories, from small preschoolers to elderly people over 70. And this also gave me ideas about the development of sports in Kazakhstan. And since we are in the EU zone, traveling to other EU countries did not cause us any problems, and I traveled with friends to countries such as France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, and the Czech Republic. During this trip, I had many new ideas, sincere emotions, and, most importantly, the thought: 'I am not going to stop at what I have achieved.' Also, for the first time in my life, I traveled on a liner, sailing across the Baltic Sea to Sweden. In Sweden, I became interested in Scandinavian culture, and this trip brought many ideas that could be implemented after seeing clean, smooth roads. One of them is the production of asphalt from waste; it is known that the country has many problems with roads, and I think that to find a solution, it is necessary to take such latest technologies and innovations from developed states as a model. And the emotions I received from the trip, especially from being at the sea for the first time, gave me special sensations; the first impression on the Baltic Sea, I fell in love with the beauty of the sea on the beach in Barcelona, Spain, and a burning love for the water world appeared. I was also in Barcelona at the Camp Nou stadium, one of my childhood dreams. I will say that over the last 3 months abroad, there have been many useful and interesting moments for me. In a month, I will return to Kazakhstan; many events have happened in my life in Poland, there were many interesting moments in our trip to Europe, and I will always remember this period of my life. And now, if I talk about why I want to participate in the WAT USA program. This program is very useful for students; I believe it is better to have more such programs so that students can not only study but also spend 3 months of vacation having fun and being productive. I have known about the WAT USA program since the 10th grade when my teacher's daughter first visited the USA, and my teacher talked about it interestingly, showed photos of her daughter, and gave me motivation that we would al

SSSaniya Shonbayevashonbaeva99 · Dec 6, 2019Read

I have a special connection to San Francisco, so to speak. Whenever I hear the name, Scott McKenzie's song "San Francisco" plays in my head. And the lines: "If you are going to San Francisco, be sure to wear some flowers in your hair..." I love this city; you know, it's not your typical American city. Yes, it has skyscrapers, huge traffic jams, cool cars—the list goes on forever—but it's different. The people there are different, somehow; they are kinder, they strive for something, they are constantly growing. And the weather, for me, is just perfect. It's +20 all year round; sure, it could be a bit warmer in summer and colder in winter, but that doesn't change the overall vibe. San Francisco reminds me of Italy in some way. I highly recommend visiting the "Palace of Fine Arts"; then you'll understand what I meant. The architecture there is incredible, and the houses around it also look more European. And if you are traveling as a couple, I recommend a romantic spot called "Shoreline Park." It's actually in Silicon Valley, but it's worth it. Most importantly, bring some food and a blanket; I can tell you for sure, there is plenty to enjoy there, especially at sunset. Of course, don't forget the most important places like the Golden Gate Bridge, Pier 39, Lombard Street, or Twin Peaks. They are a must-visit. I've been to San Francisco twice; apparently, I fell in love with it so much that I returned a second time. I ended my first trip to this city with a hike to "Lands End," and you know, I had only seen such scenery in pictures on the internet. At that moment, tears involuntarily welled up in my eyes, and I felt very sad that in a few hours I would be leaving. For me, it was the perfect place in every sense. And seeing the waves crashing against the rocks is a mesmerizing sight. On my second visit, I dedicated a whole day to the tourist town of Santa Cruz. It's about a two-hour drive from San Francisco, maybe less. For me, it was like a little Los Angeles—the same palm trees, the same beach. You won't believe it, but the weather was even +35, which is very rare for Northern California. You can get there by car or by bus. If you are traveling with a group, order an Uber or Lyft and go for it; it won't be expensive, but if you still want to save money, the bus is also an option. To be honest, I could go on for a long time because I love this city. I want to keep some places as my personal memories of San Francisco. I advise you to visit the places mentioned above. I promise you, you won't be left indifferent.

ATAnastasiya Taranavataranova.nas · Nov 30, 2019Read

California is a major wine producer. It produces about 90% of the country's grapes and over 80% of its wine products. The first vineyards in California appeared in the late 17th century, but viticulture only began to develop 100 years later, when Europeans brought 300 grape varieties (about 100,000 seedlings) to California. Is it really that good? We decided to go and check for ourselves. The closest wine region to San Francisco is Napa Valley. It is considered one of the best wine-producing regions in the world. The most interesting part isn't the wine itself, but the fact that we never actually tasted it)) Forgetting about the wonderful law that applies in every state—alcohol is only allowed for those over 21 (we are 19)—we just watched our bus neighbors tasting wine and headed to the vineyards themselves... After spending over an hour in the bushes (each grape variety grows separately there, and we tried almost every one), I can say with confidence that each one clearly differs in taste from the next (obviously). More acidic grapes make drier wine, and sweeter grapes make sweet wine (obviously [1]). What's interesting is that they ask for $35 and up for a single bottle, whereas in Italy, we bought insanely delicious wine for $2. A total rip-off 🤷🏼‍♀️

SISvetlana Ionovasvetlanya05 · Dec 8, 2018Read

Impressions can vary depending on how you travel. If you do as I do—wandering and exploring the concrete jungle—you can find plenty of adventures, both amazing and frightening, see the non-touristy side of cities, meet diverse residents, discover hidden spots, and truly feel the city's spirit. For example, in San Francisco, even without delving into history, you can feel the free spirit of the hippies, while in Los Angeles, you encounter grotesque diversity. America is as varied as the nationalities that inhabit it. You can travel from China to Italy, or even return to Russia for a while, tasting dishes from different cuisines prepared by true experts who know the exquisite nuances of cooking. Sometimes recipes blend into something unimaginable, like a pumpkin milkshake with hummus. Where else could such a drink be born if not in America, this melting pot? And then there is the fact that the USA is the second country in the world after Italy in its love for pizza. A pizza party is thrown for any reason: a successful work period, a Christmas substitute for a corporate party, or a birthday. After all, it was here that it was modernized (like many other national dishes) to suit the universal American taste: Chicago-, New York-, and Detroit-style pizza. Hence the pizza prints on pajamas, t-shirts, and stickers on Instagram. The trip is useful not only for program participants discovering a new country but also for Americans themselves, who learn about other worldviews through cultural ambassadors from other countries—us. It is important to constantly remember that we are representatives of our country, and we will be judged by our actions. By the way, I always thought that American movies and TV shows were cardboard and fake, that people don't talk like that in real life, and that actions and lines are pretentious and artificial. I attributed this impression to the staging, the pre-written script, and the polished reality of films, but it turned out that the characters behave so unusually not because of puppet-master screenwriters, but because of the difference in mentalities! In reality, people in America behave exactly like that, and sometimes you are even surprised by the cinematic nature of a scene seen on the street or a conversation overheard by chance. American culture is a global culture. Hollywood—the dream factory—sets the tone for world cinema; American films are presented in almost every cinema in the world, shaping our worldview and adjusting our habits and behavior. US music also has a colossal influence on world culture. Spending 4 months there will definitely help you better understand a culture that seems familiar to everyone since childhood, yet doesn't seem all that colorful, and realize that it is, in many ways, different from established perceptions.

SYSandugash Yelyubayevainfoguuu · Aug 14, 2015Read

The picture shown above was taken in Cambridge town near well-known Cambridge university press. As the UK is very popular with such historical places as Cambridge University. I understood only one thing, this is that London is actually tremendous city which needs more than a week in order to visit all three parts of London, precisely city, west, and east parts. The best days of my life I spent with keenly nice and helpful people in the academy. I enjoyed my studying whilst I was in the UK. It was extremely catching to share your experience and knowledge with the students from different countries and nationalities. In my group I was lucky to make friends from Wales, Canada, Arabic emirates, Iran, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Italy , Spain, France, Lithuania, Thailand, chili, and Mexico.

TPTatiana Pilipenkotatiana4519397 · Feb 10, 2016Read

Let's get acquainted. I'm Tatyana, 20 years old. I'm a biology student at Astrakhan State University. This is my second exchange (the first one was to Italy). A few years ago, I couldn't have imagined that I would be studying in Switzerland. A few years ago, I couldn't have imagined that I would be studying biology. A few years ago, I couldn't have imagined that I would want to dedicate my life to science. But life is an amazing thing after all. Sometimes you fall in love with what you couldn't stand before. Although... there is a certain charm in that. I can say that these were six magnificent months. Now I'm already packing my suitcase and in three days I'll be back in my homeland. But... I already miss it. I already want to return. And I've already promised myself to do everything to make that happen. What will I be writing about? About my daily life. About the problems relevant to students planning to conquer this small but very proud Alpine country. About the Swiss and their outlook on life. About my travels outside of Switzerland. About the University of Geneva and studying there. About the fact that in a foreign country, there is only you. And no one else. There are no parents to help. There are no professors who, with the phrase: "Well, okay, you're an honors student...", turn a blind eye to everything. But there is a foreign mentality, a crazy exchange rate, and responsibility. So, how it all began...

ASAnna Sapushevaany9377 · Sep 1, 2015Read

Finally, the long-awaited Monday morning arrived—my first day at Edgware Academy. I chose the Covent Garden branch, though there was an alternative on Edgware Road. My schedule was Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM; I chose this to dedicate my afternoons to exploring the city. There is also an afternoon option, from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM (I believe). No matter how hard I tried to arrive by 8:45 AM, I unfortunately ended up late, as the London Underground is quite confusing for someone from Moscow, where each station only serves one line and each platform only goes in one direction. Fortunately, my 15-minute delay on the first day was met with understanding; the lovely receptionists asked me to fill out a form and a placement test, followed by a short chat with one of the teachers, David. Based on the test and the interview, I was placed in an Intermediate group and was able to join the class for the second half of the session. Our teacher was a fantastic woman named Sarah, who managed to explain new topics with ease and clarity, engaging all students in active learning through games and discussions. Sarah has been teaching at Edgware Academy for about two years; she is a native speaker and a very skilled teacher who pays attention to every student, providing a somewhat personalized approach. Classes usually consisted of several parts—grammar, speaking, and reading comprehension—covering a wide range of topics relevant to students, such as "job hunting," "cinema," "hobbies," and more. I was surprised and pleased by the diversity of the students—there were representatives from several countries: Turkey, Italy, Kazakhstan, Switzerland, France, and I was the only one from Russia in our group. There were about 15 students in total, aged from 19 to about 45 :) The school's convenient location allowed me to walk to the city's main attractions after class. For three days in a row, I visited the British Museum—a huge collection of fascinating world masterpieces that is impossible to see in one go. On other days, it was nice to walk along Piccadilly, watching street dancers, or cycle to St. Paul's Cathedral and wander through the interesting narrow streets of this unhurried city. In general, London is very different from Moscow in its composure and measured pace of life, which is immediately noticeable. But that's all about the city by day; at night, it seems to come alive :) The countless pubs and clubs on Piccadilly, filled daily with visitors stopping by for a pint or two of beer, are also a distinctive feature of the metropolis. People come here to socialize, relax after a workday, or just unwind. My "classmates" and I decided not to fall behind the locals, and as a result, we visited more than one colorful pub during our time there :) The school also organized parties and club outings, but to my great regret, I couldn't make it to them—I had a flight to Dublin scheduled during one of them. So, after my first week at school, I flew to Ireland for the weekend, as currently, those who hold a UK visa (General class) can enter Ireland with it.

KSKristina Sabelnikovasabelnickova.kristina · Feb 18, 2015Read

I am a proponent of healthy eating. It's rare that I manage to eat properly, especially with all these travels and new places, but I try. Right now, I've switched to a healthy eating mode. Here in Africa, it's very easy (if you resist the restaurants, which cost about the same as eating healthy at home), because even the supermarkets have a ton of healthy food. The most common ones are SPAR and WoolWorth. WoolWorth is considered quite expensive. Most products are made in South Africa, and many people here are into eating right and staying in shape; you can feel it immediately. Only now did I realize how rarely you see truly overweight people here. The supermarkets are filled with an insane amount of fresh fruits and vegetables, especially exotic ones like pineapples, mangoes, and avocados, all at relatively low prices. For example, today I bought 2 slightly-smaller-than-average pineapples and paid 20 rand. These were the sweetest pineapples of my life. In Italy, I get hooked on tangerines; here, I feel like a pineapple period has started in my life. A mango costs 7 rand on average, and my favorite cherry tomatoes are 10 rand for a 200-gram pack. By the way, you can buy pâtés made from exotic animals right in the supermarket: for example, zebra or crocodile. Yesterday we tried zebra pâté. It's just like any other pâté. But again, buying groceries for home costs about the same as eating in restaurants and cafes. And the restaurants here are incredibly tempting: Italian restaurants run by Italians (like the one I work at), restaurants with authentic African cuisine (and an incredible variety of animals whose meat you can try there), as well as restaurants that offer the freshest seafood, and, of course, sushi. Well, there you go. I made myself hungry. I'm going to go boil some beets...