Hey everyone!

Im 17 and about a month ago I traveled to Milan to check out a university. I went alone and stayed with a family friend, who worked from 9 in the morning to 6 in the evening. So from 9AM to 6PM I had to figure out something to do. I took trains and subways to Bocconi (the university), walked around, and asked for a tour. I suppose I was used to American universities, which love to take you around and talk to you. The secretary blankly stared at me and said, in italian, "a tour? you can just walk around and look for yourself."

So I walked around for an hour or so, then decided I wanted to see what a class was like. So I looked for an approachable and friendly student, told him my story, and I asked if I could come to class with him. "Sure, why not. Follow me."

We become friends, hang out on the weekend, and exchange numbers. He invites me to go to South Tyrol to go skiing this Winter, and I invite him to come and stay with my family in New York.

So, /fellow travellers, this is where I need your wisdom and expertise:
1. I only have about $3000, left over from an online business I started (now shut down). I could spend about $1500, on a week-long trip to South Tyrol, or stay in New York and work on a new online business, and potentially revive an income stream. Add another trip onto this one and Ill find myself broke, penniless from traveling back and forth to Europe.

I expect that he invited me to stay with his family, in his house, correct? Do you think hes expecting that I find a hostel and just hang out with him? Hed be on break during this time, so he wouldnt be busy with things; but he was never clear. His words were: "and you? Are you planning to come skiing?" and "are you planning to come to Italy? Let me know so you could stay and visit my region and also Austria."
Is it worth it to spend around $1500, for just a week of travel? I would stay in Europe longer, but unfortunately I have school to get back to.

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Still, Im dreaming of travel — quite literally. Last night I had a dream I was riding the subway in Milan. Then there was that dream of the beautiful Czech girl… but I digress.