--- title: 5 Myths about Italy description: 5 Myths about Italy image: https://blog.johncabot.edu/hubfs/DSC_0190%20(1)-1.jpg --- [![JCULogo1](https://blog.johncabot.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/JCULogo1.png?width=300&height=80&name=JCULogo1.png "JCULogo1")](https://blog.johncabot.edu/blog?hsLang=en) [![JCULogo2](https://blog.johncabot.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/JCULogo2.png?width=300&height=82&name=JCULogo2.png "JCULogo2")](https://blog.johncabot.edu/blog?hsLang=en) - [Undergraduate](https://blog.johncabot.edu/tag/undergraduate) - [Graduate](https://blog.johncabot.edu/tag/graduate) - [Study Abroad](https://blog.johncabot.edu/tag/study-abroad) - [Italian](https://blog.johncabot.edu/it/blog) - [Website](https://www.johncabot.edu/) - Filter By Topics - Scegli Il Topic # 5 Myths about Italy June 2, 2017 SHARE [mailto:?body=https://blog.johncabot.edu/student-life/italian-life/5-myths-italy](mailto:?body=https://blog.johncabot.edu/student-life/italian-life/5-myths-italy) ![](https://blog.johncabot.edu/hubfs/DSC_0190%20(1)-1.jpg) SHARE [mailto:?body=https://blog.johncabot.edu/student-life/italian-life/5-myths-italy](mailto:?body=https://blog.johncabot.edu/student-life/italian-life/5-myths-italy) ![Carly Newgard](https://blog.johncabot.edu/hubfs/02219-1.jpg) Written By [Carly Newgard](https://blog.johncabot.edu/author/carly-newgard) Topic [Student Life](https://blog.johncabot.edu/tag/student-life), [Rome](https://blog.johncabot.edu/tag/rome) There are a *lot* of ideas floating around out there about what life in Italy is like: stereotypes (flattering and not-so-flattering ones), exaggerations (think: the gesticulating Italian with hands waving madly), and some downright myths. Here are 5 myths about Italy that I've actually heard from friends or family back home: **1. There is nothing to eat besides pasta and pizza.** Many travelers, prior to arriving to Italy, believe that meatballs are everywhere and people are sharing spaghetti *Lady and the Tramp*-style. Or that pizza in Italy is like Pizza Hut, just better. First of all, spaghetti and meatballs is not a typical Italian dish. Italians don’t generally mix their meatballs and pasta; meatballs is normally served separately (*polpette*) as a *secondo*, a second course. Another surprise to many is that Italian pizza is nothing like Pizza Hut, Papa John's, or whatever your pizza of choice is back home. Forget deep-dish, mozzarella-stuffed crust, ordering a pizza with "the works", or crazy toppings like pineapple (and I say this as someone who loves pineapples on my pizza). Italian pizzas are often much simpler with a simple crust (flat and crispy is Roman style) and just a few good-quality, fresh toppings. Moreover, Italian cuisine isn’t restricted to just pizza and pasta. There's risotto, meat and poultry, fish, *minestra*, vegetable dishes... the list goes on. The best steak I ever had was in Florence, where you can never go wrong with a *bistecca fiorentina*. ![John Cabot University students, students studying abroad in Rome, international students in Rome, 5 myths about italy, tips for students in italy, study abroad](https://blog.johncabot.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Study-in-Italy-300x225.png?width=273&height=205&name=Study-in-Italy-300x225.png) **2. Everyone is fashionable, always.** Fashion *is* very prevalent in Rome and other parts of Italy. I have never attended such a well-dressed school, and am often in awe of some of the outfits my fellow [John Cabot University](http://www.johncabot.edu/) classmates put together. Although Rome raises the bar in terms of fashion in comparison to other cities I have lived in, *all* Italians aren’t *always* dressed to the nines. It is okay to wear sneakers, jeans, and a t-shirt; many locals wear this as well. The social rules of what to wear in public can also vary with whom you speak to. Maybe an Italian grandma (*nonna*) would tsk-tsk at the sight of flip-flops in the city, while a younger Italian would think nothing of it. **3. If you see Rome, Florence, and Venice, you've "done" Italy.** Wrong, wrong, wrong! There is so much more to see! Just to name a few: the Amalfi Coast, Capri, Palermo, Lake Como, Sardegna, Milan, Turin, Naples, Bologna.... Although the “major three” do have a lot to offer in terms of history, museums, monuments, and culture, there are other cities that are too often overlooked. The country is full of amazing cities, towns, countryside, lakes, mountains, and shoreline from the north to the south. Lake Como had the most dramatic and breathtaking scenery I have ever seen. The best food I have tasted was in Palermo, Sicily - I still think about their *arancini* (stuffed, breaded, and fried rice balls) and *cannoli* to this day. **4. It is difficult to travel around Italy.** Yes, it can be overwhelming to make your way around a new country, but I promise, it is actually pretty easy! Rome public transportation is not something I would write home about, but in terms of getting from city to city it is simple. Italy is smaller than the state of California (crazy, huh?) and it doesn’t take a lot of time to travel around the country. Rome has many train stations, such as the one close to[JCU](http://www.johncabot.edu/), Trastevere station, which can take you to all corners of the boot. There are also cheap flights if you want to get there even faster. For example, I once flew from Rome to Palermo for a total of 48 euros.![John Cabot University students, students studying abroad in Rome, international students in Rome, 5 myths about italy, tips for students in italy, study abroad, positano](https://blog.johncabot.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/JosephComodo8-300x189.jpg?width=290&height=183&name=JosephComodo8-300x189.jpg) **5. You have to speak Italian to get around.** Although I highly recommend taking language courses prior to visiting Italy, it is not necessary. In Rome many Italians, especially younger Italians, speak at least some English. Since the city thrives on tourism, Italians are used to hearing and responding in English. I do think if you are [studying abroad](http://www.johncabot.edu/admissions/study-abroad-rome-italy/default.aspx) or enrolling at JCU for your [undergrad career](http://www.johncabot.edu/academics/degree-programs.aspx), it is important to make an effort to learn the language; it is a wonderful skill to have, locals will appreciate your effort (even if you still can't pronounce *amatriciana* to save your life), and you'll feel more at ease in a new country! ![13406792\_898296803629934\_8728302820908486965\_n](https://blog.johncabot.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/13406792_898296803629934_8728302820908486965_n-300x300-Apr-07-2021-07-24-53-29-AM.jpg?width=146&height=146&name=13406792_898296803629934_8728302820908486965_n-300x300-Apr-07-2021-07-24-53-29-AM.jpg) Carly Newgard [Communications major](http://www.johncabot.edu/academics/communications-degree.aspx), [Humanistic Studies minor](http://www.johncabot.edu/academics/humanistic-studies-minor.aspx)Class of 2017 Hometown: San Diego, California [Previous Post](https://blog.johncabot.edu/student-spotlight/degree-seeking-students/american-students/finding-perfect-fit-jcu-transfer-student?hsLang=en) [View all posts](https://blog.johncabot.edu) [Next Post](https://blog.johncabot.edu/degree-seeking/life-after-graduation-alessandra-gargiulo?hsLang=en) ### Subscribe Here! ### Recommended Reading [Student Life](https://blog.johncabot.edu/topic/student-life?hsLang=en) [Rome](https://blog.johncabot.edu/topic/rome?hsLang=en) ##### [How JCU Students Discover Italy Beyond the Classroom](https://blog.johncabot.edu/student-life-activities-trips-italy?hsLang=en) By [John Cabot University](https://blog.johncabot.edu/author/jcuadmissions) / September 2, 2026 [Continue Reading](https://blog.johncabot.edu/student-life-activities-trips-italy?hsLang=en) [Student Life](https://blog.johncabot.edu/topic/student-life?hsLang=en) [Rome](https://blog.johncabot.edu/topic/rome?hsLang=en) ##### [Explore Italy While You Study in Rome: JCU's Fall 2026 Trips & Cultural Programs](https://blog.johncabot.edu/jcu-cultural-programs?hsLang=en) By [John Cabot University](https://blog.johncabot.edu/author/jcuadmissions) / July 22, 2026 [Continue Reading](https://blog.johncabot.edu/jcu-cultural-programs?hsLang=en) [Student Life](https://blog.johncabot.edu/topic/student-life?hsLang=en) [Rome](https://blog.johncabot.edu/topic/rome?hsLang=en) ##### [Staying Active While Studying Abroad at John Cabot University](https://blog.johncabot.edu/staying-active-studying-rome?hsLang=en) By [Lauren Brondyke](https://blog.johncabot.edu/author/lauren-brondyke) / May 22, 2026 [Continue Reading](https://blog.johncabot.edu/staying-active-studying-rome?hsLang=en) ### Subscribe and stay up to date ### Subscribe and stay up to date - [Academics](https://www.johncabot.edu/academics/default.aspx) - [Admissions](https://www.johncabot.edu/admissions/default.aspx) - [Student Life](https://www.johncabot.edu/student-life/default.aspx) - [About JCU](https://www.johncabot.edu/about-jcu/default.aspx) - [Studenti Italiani](https://www.johncabot.edu/universita-americana/default.aspx) - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/JohnCabotUniversity) - [Twitter](https://twitter.com/JohnCabotRome) - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/school/john-cabot-university/) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/JohnCabotUniversity) - [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/johncabotuniversity) ![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/3067823/phone.svg) [+39066819121](tel:+39066819121) ![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/3067823/email.svg) [admissions@johncabot.edu](mailto:admissions@johncabot.edu) ![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/3067823/address.svg) Via della Lungara 233 00165 Rome, Italy [©](https://a.cms.omniupdate.com/11/?skin=oucampus&account=john-cabot&site=www&action=de&path=/default.pcf) 2025 John Cabot University ### Request Info »