International student discusses university, nightlife

Teresa Cavazzuti marks the second installment of our weekly series on international life and travel featuring K-State students who have experienced studying abroad, international students studying at K-State and students living and studying in their own countries worldwide.

Cavazzuti, who lives in Carpi, Italy, is 21 years old and studies languages at the University of Bologna in Italy. Cavazzuti speaks fluent Italian and French. She also speaks English, which she admits is her weakest language.

Q: What is a typical academic schedule?

A: About 36 hours a week; it depends on what you study how long it takes to graduate.

Q: What kind of campus does your school have?

A: There isn't a real campus; there are just two buildings in which we have the lessons and that's all.

Q: Do most students live in university housing or find their own accommodation? Does the university offer any sort of meal plan?

A: My university doesn't offer any meal plan. There is a canteen. Generally students find their accommodation alone, but there are also university's rooms, but they are limited.

Q: Do most students have a car? What is the most common method of transportation?

A: The bicycle. Many students come from every part of Italy, so it's difficult for us having a car in our university's city.

Q: What do you do on the weekends?

A: I go out with my friends or my boyfriends ... we do many things, spend time with friends, go to a disco, play sports.

Q: What is the dating scene like? What is a typical date?

A: We meet in front of the school and then we move to the main square; we pass the evening in a pub or two. Sometimes we meet in someone's house and we have dinner together and then we watch a film or we play or simply we talk.

Q: What is the most popular night for drinking and what do people drink?

A: Thursday. People drink above all beer and [hard] alcohol. But not only that.

Q: How common is tobacco use?

A: What's the most popular "drug" after alcohol? Tobacco — it's very common. After alcohol, the most popular drug is cigarette containing some "herbs."

Q: Where is your favorite place to shop?

A: The market in my town.

Q: How do you feel about your current government?

A: Totally unsatisfied.

Q: What's a common stereotype people you know have about Americans or American universities?

A: Americans eat a lot and American universities represent freedom of amusement.