Nightingale Street
Europe is undeniably different from the States, a number of things change. Flexibility and adaptability are necessary attributes! Here are some suggestions and tricks to help you out:
ON MONEY ...
1. If given the option to charge your credit card with US dollars or foreign currency, choose USD to avoid a transaction fee.
2. When I withdrew money, I kept my receipts; this helped me monitor my spending from country to country. Give yourself a price range of what you’re capable of paying for something and stick to it.
3. There is usually a discount for students so remember to ask about that!
4. In the cities where the hotel had kitchenettes, I tried to cook as much as I could. However, that strategy did not always work so if I knew that I was going to eat out that day, I looked up places on Yelp that were cheap. I tried to never spend more than $10 on a meal.
1. If given the option to charge your credit card with US dollars or foreign currency, choose USD to avoid a transaction fee.
2. When I withdrew money, I kept my receipts; this helped me monitor my spending from country to country. Give yourself a price range of what you’re capable of paying for something and stick to it.
3. There is usually a discount for students so remember to ask about that!
4. In the cities where the hotel had kitchenettes, I tried to cook as much as I could. However, that strategy did not always work so if I knew that I was going to eat out that day, I looked up places on Yelp that were cheap. I tried to never spend more than $10 on a meal.
ON SAFETY ...
ON SAFETY ...
5. Never walk by yourself, especially late at night. Always have a friend or a group with you
6. Be wary of scams! Be smart: Know what you are paying for before handing over money, and always count your change. Also, the badges people flaunt around can be fake. If a deal is too good to be true or they point you to a direction away from the main landmark's office, walk away.
7. Take precaution and beware of pickpockets. When going out, try not to bring too many items, only the essentials. Don’t place your valuables or phone in your back pockets, don’t bring bags that don’t zip all the way, carry your bag to the front, and beware of your surroundings – avoid really crowded spaces as much as possible
5. Never walk by yourself, especially late at night. Always have a friend or a group with you
6. Be wary of scams! Be smart: Know what you are paying for before handing over money, and always count your change. Also, the badges people flaunt around can be fake. If a deal is too good to be true or they point you to a direction away from the main landmark's office, walk away.
7. Take precaution and beware of pickpockets. When going out, try not to bring too many items, only the essentials. Don’t place your valuables or phone in your back pockets, don’t bring bags that don’t zip all the way, carry your bag to the front, and beware of your surroundings – avoid really crowded spaces as much as possible
5. Never walk by yourself, especially late at night. Always have a friend or a group with you
6. Be wary of scams! Be smart: Know what you are paying for before handing over money, and always count your change. Also, the badges people flaunt around can be fake. If a deal is too good to be true or they point you to a direction away from the main landmark's office, walk away.
7. Take precaution and beware of pickpockets. When going out, try not to bring too many items, only the essentials. Don’t place your valuables or phone in your back pockets, don’t bring bags that don’t zip all the way, carry your bag to the front, and beware of your surroundings – avoid really crowded spaces as much as possible
5. Never walk by yourself, especially late at night. Always have a friend or a group with you
6. Be wary of scams! Be smart: Know what you are paying for before handing over money, and always count your change. Also, the badges people flaunt around can be fake. If a deal is too good to be true or they point you to a direction away from the main landmark's office, walk away.
7. Take precaution and beware of pickpockets. When going out, try not to bring too many items, only the essentials. Don’t place your valuables or phone in your back pockets, don’t bring bags that don’t zip all the way, carry your bag to the front, and beware of your surroundings – avoid really crowded spaces as much as possible
5. Never walk by yourself, especially late at night. Always have a friend or a group with you
6. Be wary of scams! Be smart: Know what you are paying for before handing over money, and always count your change. Also, the badges people flaunt around can be fake. If a deal is too good to be true or they point you to a direction away from the main landmark's office, walk away.
7. Take precaution and beware of pickpockets. When going out, try not to bring too many items, only the essentials. Don’t place your valuables or phone in your back pockets, don’t bring bags that don’t zip all the way, carry your bag to the front, and beware of your surroundings – avoid really crowded spaces as much as possible
ON DINING ...
ON DINING ...
ON DINING ...
ON DINING ...
8. If you are a strict vegetarian, you’ll have to make things very clear when ordering. You'll have no problem with continental breakfasts, which are normally meatless anyway. Meat free picnic lunches are delicious, since bread, cheese, and yogurt can be found throughout Europe. Have some healthy snacks on hand, in case you can’t find a suitable meal.
9. Customer service is slower since Europeans will spend hours at a restaurant/café (eating is a social experience). So, you must always ask for the check when you're done because they won't leave it at your table
10. Always ask for tap water! Otherwise, you'll be charged and be given bottled water
11. Don’t stress over tipping. In most cases, the total price of your meal already includes the tip (it will be on the receipt as a service charge). Just check the menu to see if service is included; if it isn’t, a tip of 5–10 percent is normal.
12. Want to eat like a local? Look for bakeries, sandwich shops, small cafés and street food. They are good places to pick up basic sandwiches, tiny pizzas, or something equally cheap and fast but with more of a regional flavor
8. If you are a strict vegetarian, you’ll have to make things very clear when ordering. You'll have no problem with continental breakfasts, which are normally meatless anyway. Meat free picnic lunches are delicious, since bread, cheese, and yogurt can be found throughout Europe. Have some healthy snacks on hand, in case you can’t find a suitable meal.
9. Customer service is slower since Europeans will spend hours at a restaurant/café (eating is a social experience). So, you must always ask for the check when you're done because they won't leave it at your table
10. Always ask for tap water! Otherwise, you'll be charged and be given bottled water
11. Don’t stress over tipping. In most cases, the total price of your meal already includes the tip (it will be on the receipt as a service charge). Just check the menu to see if service is included; if it isn’t, a tip of 5–10 percent is normal.
12. Want to eat like a local? Look for bakeries, sandwich shops, small cafés and street food. They are good places to pick up basic sandwiches, tiny pizzas, or something equally cheap and fast but with more of a regional flavor
8. If you are a strict vegetarian, you’ll have to make things very clear when ordering. You'll have no problem with continental breakfasts, which are normally meatless anyway. Meat free picnic lunches are delicious, since bread, cheese, and yogurt can be found throughout Europe. Have some healthy snacks on hand, in case you can’t find a suitable meal.
9. Customer service is slower since Europeans will spend hours at a restaurant/café (eating is a social experience). So, you must always ask for the check when you're done because they won't leave it at your table
10. Always ask for tap water! Otherwise, you'll be charged and be given bottled water
11. Don’t stress over tipping. In most cases, the total price of your meal already includes the tip (it will be on the receipt as a service charge). Just check the menu to see if service is included; if it isn’t, a tip of 5–10 percent is normal.
12. Want to eat like a local? Look for bakeries, sandwich shops, small cafés and street food. They are good places to pick up basic sandwiches, tiny pizzas, or something equally cheap and fast but with more of a regional flavor
8. If you are a strict vegetarian, you’ll have to make things very clear when ordering. You'll have no problem with continental breakfasts, which are normally meatless anyway. Meat free picnic lunches are delicious, since bread, cheese, and yogurt can be found throughout Europe. Have some healthy snacks on hand, in case you can’t find a suitable meal.
9. Customer service is slower since Europeans will spend hours at a restaurant/café (eating is a social experience). So, you must always ask for the check when you're done because they won't leave it at your table
10. Always ask for tap water! Otherwise, you'll be charged and be given bottled water
11. Don’t stress over tipping. In most cases, the total price of your meal already includes the tip (it will be on the receipt as a service charge). Just check the menu to see if service is included; if it isn’t, a tip of 5–10 percent is normal.
12. Want to eat like a local? Look for bakeries, sandwich shops, small cafés and street food. They are good places to pick up basic sandwiches, tiny pizzas, or something equally cheap and fast but with more of a regional flavor
8. If you are a strict vegetarian, you’ll have to make things very clear when ordering. You'll have no problem with continental breakfasts, which are normally meatless anyway. Meat free picnic lunches are delicious, since bread, cheese, and yogurt can be found throughout Europe. Have some healthy snacks on hand, in case you can’t find a suitable meal.
9. Customer service is slower since Europeans will spend hours at a restaurant/café (eating is a social experience). So, you must always ask for the check when you're done because they won't leave it at your table
10. Always ask for tap water! Otherwise, you'll be charged and be given bottled water
11. Don’t stress over tipping. In most cases, the total price of your meal already includes the tip (it will be on the receipt as a service charge). Just check the menu to see if service is included; if it isn’t, a tip of 5–10 percent is normal.
12. Want to eat like a local? Look for bakeries, sandwich shops, small cafés and street food. They are good places to pick up basic sandwiches, tiny pizzas, or something equally cheap and fast but with more of a regional flavor
8. If you are a strict vegetarian, you’ll have to make things very clear when ordering. You'll have no problem with continental breakfasts, which are normally meatless anyway. Meat free picnic lunches are delicious, since bread, cheese, and yogurt can be found throughout Europe. Have some healthy snacks on hand, in case you can’t find a suitable meal.
9. Customer service is slower since Europeans will spend hours at a restaurant/café (eating is a social experience). So, you must always ask for the check when you're done because they won't leave it at your table
10. Always ask for tap water! Otherwise, you'll be charged and be given bottled water
11. Don’t stress over tipping. In most cases, the total price of your meal already includes the tip (it will be on the receipt as a service charge). Just check the menu to see if service is included; if it isn’t, a tip of 5–10 percent is normal.
12. Want to eat like a local? Look for bakeries, sandwich shops, small cafés and street food. They are good places to pick up basic sandwiches, tiny pizzas, or something equally cheap and fast but with more of a regional flavor
ON TECHNOLOGY ...
ON TECHNOLOGY ...
13. If you don't have T-Mobile, you'll only have limited data for your phone. Traveling (and just plain life) is hard without wifi. When you are desperate, lost, out of contact, or just overcome with the need for social media, you can reliably find free wifi at various locations such as McDonalds and Starbucks. If you're lucky, some local restaurants have free wifi, no password needed to connect.
14. With your device and a strong Internet connection, it's free to keep in touch with the people who miss you at home. Just use FaceTime, Skype and Facebook Messenger
15. Use Google Offline Maps to get around. You can see where you are based on the blue dot on the map. Even though you can't search for directions without internet, as long as you have turned wifi on, even if you aren’t connected, the blue dot will show you where you are
13. If you don't have T-Mobile, you'll only have limited data for your phone. Traveling (and just plain life) is hard without wifi. When you are desperate, lost, out of contact, or just overcome with the need for social media, you can reliably find free wifi at various locations such as McDonalds and Starbucks. If you're lucky, some local restaurants have free wifi, no password needed to connect.
14. With your device and a strong Internet connection, it's free to keep in touch with the people who miss you at home. Just use FaceTime, Skype and Facebook Messenger
15. Use Google Offline Maps to get around. You can see where you are based on the blue dot on the map. Even though you can't search for directions without internet, as long as you have turned wifi on, even if you aren’t connected, the blue dot will show you where you are
13. If you don't have T-Mobile, you'll only have limited data for your phone. Traveling (and just plain life) is hard without wifi. When you are desperate, lost, out of contact, or just overcome with the need for social media, you can reliably find free wifi at various locations such as McDonalds and Starbucks. If you're lucky, some local restaurants have free wifi, no password needed to connect.
14. With your device and a strong Internet connection, it's free to keep in touch with the people who miss you at home. Just use FaceTime, Skype and Facebook Messenger
15. Use Google Offline Maps to get around. You can see where you are based on the blue dot on the map. Even though you can't search for directions without internet, as long as you have turned wifi on, even if you aren’t connected, the blue dot will show you where you are
13. If you don't have T-Mobile, you'll only have limited data for your phone. Traveling (and just plain life) is hard without wifi. When you are desperate, lost, out of contact, or just overcome with the need for social media, you can reliably find free wifi at various locations such as McDonalds and Starbucks. If you're lucky, some local restaurants have free wifi, no password needed to connect.
14. With your device and a strong Internet connection, it's free to keep in touch with the people who miss you at home. Just use FaceTime, Skype and Facebook Messenger
15. Use Google Offline Maps to get around. You can see where you are based on the blue dot on the map. Even though you can't search for directions without internet, as long as you have turned wifi on, even if you aren’t connected, the blue dot will show you where you are
ON MISCELLANEOUS ...
16. Never do your laundry at the hotel. It's expensive and I've heard people complain of the machines being broken. Ask the professors for cheaper options or the closest laundromat
17. Public restrooms are hard to come by. Use restrooms when you can, instead of waiting till you have to or you'll have to pay to use one (paying to use a public restroom is a European custom)
18. This program is what you make of it. Have fun, stay positive, and take advantage of all the things these wonderful cities have to offer!
16. Never do your laundry at the hotel. It's expensive and I've heard people complain of the machines being broken. Ask the professors for cheaper options or the closest laundromat
17. Public restrooms are hard to come by. Use restrooms when you can, instead of waiting till you have to or you'll have to pay to use one (paying to use a public restroom is a European custom)
18. This program is what you make of it. Have fun, stay positive, and take advantage of all the things these wonderful cities have to offer!