The main language spoken here is Italian. I know only a little Italian, and I try to practice, but many people switch to speaking with me in English when they see I am struggling. Pavia is an international hub for students, so many people come from different countries, and you can hear Spanish, French and other languages spoken, especially in the campus areas. I would say it is very easy for me to find people here who can speak English with me.
Italy is part of the European Union, which is like a political and economic association of countries in Europe. All countries in the European Union share the same currency (money). They use the euro. They have coins and paper money, just like in the U.S.A. The papers are smaller that the U.S. dollar bill, and the coins include one euro and two euro coins
Water has different costs, depending on where you go. If you go to the grocery store, a big bottle of water can cost .60 euro, which is equivalent to 85 cents. In a cafe or a restaurant, water can cost between one to three euros. In Italy, a lot of people like fizzy water, so if you order water at a retuarant they will ask if you want it "natural" or "gassed."
