In italy the schools are public, our taxes are low compared to american's one. For example, for 1 year (September-September) I pay approximately 2000-2500 euros, divided in 3 rate in the course of the year. So, it's a sustainable cost for families, and also if you have your tax return below a certain amount, you'll get discount and tax free year. It seem a dream but do not fret: our schools and teachers are awful, for example, I learned english thorugh online and board games and internet sites, the teaching in school served me nothing. And I'm still not good at it XD
Light, when I finished High School (that go from 14 to 19 year old) I had a mental break down. It has been so stressful, the studies and all (I went in a classical high school, I don't know if there is a similar thing in america or other countries, it's a high rank school were they teach you Latin, ancient Greek, philosophy, history, italian literature and very little of mathematics, arts, physic and such) that the only thought of get back to learning made me sick, I was having panic attacks and nausea. I was a total wreck, so, with my mom's approval, I took a gap year where I worked and made up my mind if I wanted to continue the studies or not. At the end, I choose a university that I liked and everything has got into place ^^ so, do not worry, when the times are good, you'll know it and you'll get your degree =) it's never too late!
The only Italian I know is a couple of operatic songs. And I'm forgetting those. lol.
I swear to god, if it's Albano and Romina I will flip out (in italy they are heard only by old people XD)
I learnt some Italian in primary school if that counts XD
Wow, you have all my respect! I know that our language is terrible for english speakers, so, how do you find it? :3