When people ask me where I'm going in Italy, it's proven easiest to say "near Milan". Most people haven't heard of Pavia. I hadn't until I actually applied there. For a lot of people, the biggest decision you can make about the year abroad is whether to spend the time studying at another university or working.
I considered working in Italy for about ten minutes. It only took one draft of
a clunky covering letter that had
more red ink on it than black by the time my Italian teacher was done with it for me to realise that studying was my best option.
So I downloaded the necessary application forms (all both of them) and started
swatting up on universities.
