Pre-Departure
Handbook
2014-2015
Marist-LdM Pre-Departure Handbook
Marist-LdM Pre-Departure Handbook
Welcome
1
Marist Italy Contacts
2
About Marist Italy
3
Marist Italy Programs
4
About Italy
5
Preparing for Departure
8
Visa and Arrival
12
Housing
18
Communication
22
Mail
24
Staying Healthy
26
Conduct & Safety & Security 30
Money Matters
32
What to Bring
36
Cultural Adjustment
38
Useful Websites
44
Marist-LdM Pre-Departure Handbook
W e L CO ME
BENVENUTI!
CongratulatiÎonsÎonÎyourÎdecisionÎtoÎstudyÎinÎFlorence!Î
We are very pleased that you will be joining us at Marist Italy. Whether you are coming
into the Freshman Florence Experience, Undergraduate or Master’s programs, or for one
semester as a visiting student from another college, we believe that your time in Florence
with Marist will prove to be an intellectually exciting and formative experience. We
warmly welcome you and look forward to your contribution our intellectual and cultural
life.
Marist is dedicated to helping students develop the intellect, character, and skills required
for enlightened, ethical, and productive lives in the 21st century global community. Our
goal, as the staff of the branch campus in Florence, is to help you achieve this mission.
We do this by providing the framework and the opportunities to critically engage with
a different way of life and with new ways of viewing the world. We challenge you as
students, whatever your focus of study and whatever your age, to look at your own
thoughts, experiences and commitments through new and critical eyes.
Marist-LdM Pre-Departure Handbook
One of the best ways to prepare for your time in Italy is to learn as much as possible
about the country prior to your departure. This handbook provides you an introduction to
Marist Italy, the city of Florence, and life in the beautiful Renaissance city. We hope that
it will be a useful resource both before your departure and during your stay in Florence.
We are here to support you in your efforts to learn from others, and we also want to learn
from you and your experiences. We hope that you will share your impressions, successes
and observations with us, as well as any problems you might encounter.
Remember that this handbook is just one tool that will help you prepare for the adventures
that wait. There is a multitude of resources provided by Marist Italy including: the specific
pre-departure webpages for your program, the “Marist Monday” newsletter, your group’s
pre-departure Facebook page, the Marist Italy Facebook page, and the Marist Italy student
blog and Twitter account. There are also numerous online resources such as travel guides,
maps, student blogs, and Florentine newspapers, all of which can be helpful throughout
your pre-departure preparation.
BestÎwishesÎforÎyourÎFlorenceÎexperience!
The Marist Italy Team
John Peters – Dean of International Programs /
Acting Dean of Marist Italy
Vanessa Nichol-Peters – Director of Marist Italy Programs
Bradford Miller – Assistant Director
Christie Alfaro – Assistant Director
Stephanie Elmessaoudi – Resident Director
Jennifer McLain – Assistant Coordinator
Diane Ralston – Office Assistant
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Marist-LdM Pre-Departure Handbook
marist italy CONTACTS
GENERAL INQUIRIES
STUDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES
Marist Italy, Florence Office
via del Giglio, 6
50123 Firenze, Italia
39.055.289200
[email protected]
Billing
Lisa Boyes
Bursar
845.575.3230
[email protected]
Marist Italy, Poughkeepsie Office
3399 North Road
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
845.575.3330
[email protected]
Financial Aid Inquiries
Tenisha Lane
Assistant Director, Financial Aid
845.575.3230
[email protected]
REGISTRAR
MARIST ITALY PROGRAM STAFF
Deborah Holtman
Transcripts, Course Descriptions
845.575.3250
[email protected]
Pre-departure - FFE & Undergraduates
Programs
Christie Alfaro
Assistant Director, Marist Italy
845.575.3330
[email protected]
HOUSING & RESIDENCE LIFE
Sarah English
Director Housing and Residence Life
845.575.3307
[email protected]
Pre-departure - Masters & MLE Programs
Jennifer McLain
Assistant Coordinator, Marist Italy
845.575.3330
[email protected]
Housing Placements & Inquiries
Stephanie Elmessaoudi
Resident Director, Marist Italy
845.575.3330
[email protected]
Pre-departure – Pre-College Programs
Bradford Miller
Assistant Director, Marist Italy
845.575.3330
[email protected]
ACADEMIC ADVISING
Advising & Scheduling – FFE &
Undergraduate Students
Bradford Miller
Assistant Director, Marist Italy
845.575.3330
[email protected]
MARIST ITALY ADMISSION
Marist Italy Admission
Joe Giacalone
Director of International Admission &
Recruitment
845.575.3989
[email protected]
Museum Studies Admission
Mallory Maggiacomo
Senior Assistant Director of Admission
845.575.3000 x2817
[email protected]
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Marist-LdM Pre-Departure Handbook
about Marist Italy
Just over a century ago, the Marist Brothers came to New York's Hudson River Valley to train young
men to continue the Brothers' vocation as great educators. What started as a seminary for the
training of future Marist Brothers has developed into one of the leading colleges of the arts and
sciences in the United States.
In 2006, in partnership with Istituto Lorenzo de’ Medici (LdM), Marist founded the Marist Italy
Campus, near the bank of the famed Arno River in Florence, Italy. Marist Italy celebrates the
unique partnership between Marist College and the Istituto Lorenzo de' Medici, a partnership built
upon shared core values, including excellence in education, the importance of community, and
the principles of service, This allows for a united vision and mission, making the Florence branch
campus a rewarding and creative place to pursue an education.
The Marist-LdM partnership and the shared values it is built upon are only enhanced by its location
in the city of Florence. Located in the heart of historic Florence, this urban campus offers students
a chance to explore an international community and be exposed to new cultures and ways of seeing
the world.
Using Florence as a classroom, Marist Italy currently offers 8 Undergraduate Degrees, a Master’s
Degree Program in Museum Studies, the Freshman Florence Experience (freshman year abroad), and
study abroad opportunities for both Marist students and students visiting from other institutions.
Marist Italy is an official branch campus recognized by Marist College’s accrediting body the Middle
States Association of Higher Education. The degrees offered by Marist Italy are U.S. University
Degrees granted with all the same rights and privileges as those issued at the Marist main campus.
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Marist-LdM Pre-Departure Handbook
Marist Italy PROGRAMS
THE FRESHMAN FLORENCE EXPERIENCE
The FFE program is designed for highly motivated first-year students who wish to pursue foundation
coursework in a study abroad environment. Students pursue a typical college semester of 12-16
credits of coursework in core content areas similar to those found in Poughkeepsie. Excursions,
workshops, and events have been designed for Marist freshmen to build a sense of community,
encourage cultural immersion, and foster travel opportunities in Italy and beyond. Students live in
apartment-style housing in the heart of Florence along with resident directors.
THE BACHELOR’S DEGREE PROGRAM
This undergraduate degree program has been designed to meet the academic needs of qualified
students from around the world. Here they will engage with a multitude of cultures and build
skills needed to succeed in this increasingly complex global environment. Students enrolled with
Marist Italy’s undergraduate programs will spend all four years of their Marist career at the Florence
campus seeking a degree in one of the following fields:
• B.A. in Fine Arts: Studio Art
• B.A. in Fine Arts: Art History
• B.A. in Italian Language
• B.S. in Studio Art
• B.S. in Digital Media
• B.S. in Conservation Studies (Art Restoration)
• B.P.S. in Fashion Design
• B.P.S. in Interior Design
MASTER OF ARTS IN MUSEUM STUDIES
The M.A. in Museum Studies is an interdisciplinary advanced degree program that aims to provide
students with an understanding of how museums operate within their social and cultural contexts.
Taught by international faculty in partnership with the University of Florence and the Fondazione
Palazzo Strozzi, this 34-credit one-year M.A. degree will expose students to the principle aspects
of museum engagement with the public and international perspectives in museum management.
MARIST-LDM EXPERIENCE (MLE)
The Marist-LdM Experience promotes international engagement and academic, personal, and
professional development through rigorous, reflective study abroad, overseas internships, and
international campus programming. Designed for students visiting from other colleges and
universities, this program offers students the opportunity to study in Florence for an academic year
or semester.
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Marist-LdM Pre-Departure Handbook
ABOUT ITALY
The Florence campus is an urban campus with classroom and student space spread
throughout 10 buildings in the Centro Storico (Historic Center) of Florence. Nestled
among restaurants and gift shops, Marist Italy offers students much to learn not only
from the museums and architecture, but also from interacting with Florentines as they go
about their daily lives.
Italy Basics
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Government: Republic
President: Giorgio Napolitano (2006)
Prime Minister: Matteo Renzi (2014)
Land area: 113,521 sq. mi (294,019 sq. km); total area: 116,305 sq. mi (301,230 sq.
km)
Population (2012 est.): 61,261,254
Capital and largest city (2009 est.): Rome, 3.357 million
Monetary unit: Euro (formerly lira)
Overview of the City
Florence (Firenze) is the capital of the region of Tuscany, with a population of about
366,500. The city is considered a cultural, artistic, and architectural gem. Set in a valley
on the banks of the Arno, surrounded by olive groves and vineyards, Florence is without
question one of the world’s most beautiful cities.
The birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence remains one of the most beautifully preserved
architectural masterpieces and serves as a repository for a vast array of its treasures. A
UNESCO world heritage site, Florence contains more great artworks per square foot than
any other city in the world. In a city where artistic treasures and architectural masterpieces of the past blend with ancient streets lined with elegant boutiques, peaceful parks,
and street-side cafes offering steaming espresso and fresh biscotti, it is easy to understand
why the city of Florence is a favorite for students and visitors from around the world.
The city is known for having produced some of the greatest and most famous artists and
thinkers of the Renaissance, including Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Donatello, Dante and Machiavelli. Florence played a key role in the formation of modern
banking and the advancement of modern science and philosophy. Today, Florence has
much to offer with Italian Renaissance architecture, museums, shops, and theaters. The
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Marist-LdM Pre-Departure Handbook
Ponte Vecchio, the National Library, Santa
Maria del Fiore (the Duomo), Santa Croce,
the Monastery of St. Mark, Piazza della Signoria, the Uffizi Museum, and the Pitti Palace are some of the many sites that make
Florence a truly beautiful city and inspiring
place to study.
snowy (37°F low, 55°F high). Spring and fall
usually offer lovely sunny days with moderate temperatures (50°F low, 75°F high).
Many of the old buildings in the city center
are built with stone and do not allow for
comprehensive heating/cooling systems.
In the winter months, students often find
these buildings cool; it is important to note
that federal policy in Italy dictates that
building heat cannot be turned on until November, regardless of the weather conditions. Additionally, Italians do not embrace
air conditioning in the same way many of
us do. It is quite common for Italian businesses and residences to be without air
conditioning.
Climate
Florence has four distinct seasons: summer
(June to September), fall (Mid-September
to November), winter (December to February), and spring (March to May).
Since Florence is set in a valley, the summer months tend to be humid and rather
extreme. During the peak of summer temperatures in Florence can be slightly unbearable (70°F low, 100°F high). Winter
tends to be cold and rainy–and occasionally
The academic year in Florence touches on
all four seasons; it is therefore important
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Marist-LdM Pre-Departure Handbook
that students be prepared for any kind of
weather. Clothing that can be layered, rain
gear, and winter coats and accessories are
highly recommended.
go directly to the ATAF office located next
to the train station. All buses have buttons
to signal for a stop. Some seats, identified
by a sign, are reserved for the disabled, the
elderly, and pregnant women, and must be
given upon request. A single ticket costs
€1.20 and lasts 90 minutes from the time it
is validated. Tickets must be purchased at
tabacchi shops or newsstands before getting on the bus. If you have an Italian SIM
card in your phone, you can also send an
SMS text message to 4880105 to purchase
your ATAF ticket. IMPORTANT: single-use
tickets must be validated by punching them
immediately upon entering the bus. Fines
are very expensive for those caught without a valid ticket.
Getting Around
Florence is at the center of the major highway and rail junctions in Italy, giving travelers easy access to the surrounding Tuscan
countryside and many of Italy’s major cities and attractions. Additionally, the geographic location of Florence, combined
with convenient travel access, allows inexpensive and convenient connections to
many other major European cities.
Walking
Taxis
Florence is truly a walking city. It is possible to walk from one end of the historic
center of Florence to the other --NorthSouth or East-West--in 30 minutes. Walking is not only an easy way to get around,
but it also offers the chance to experience
much more of the city life. Many streets in
the city center are closed to traffic during
the day; many more are simply too narrow
for vehicles to get through. Walking, therefore, often becomes the most effective and
efficient means of transportation. And, of
course, if you need to, you can always buy
a new pair of shoes in Florence!
Taking a taxi in Florence is quite expensive.
Generally taxis cannot be hailed; you must
either go to the taxi stands in the main
squares (Duomo, San Marco, Repubblica),
at the train station, or at the airport; or you
can call a taxi at the following numbers to
tell them where you are: 055 4390 or 055
4241. Only cash is accepted. No checks or
credit cards are accepted for payment.
Tram
Florence also offers a modern tram that
circulates between Stazione Santa Maria
Novella (the train station) and the town of
Scandicci. Trams can be boarded at numerous stops, including the train station and
Cascine Park, and require an ATAF ticket,
which can be purchased at each tram stop.
Buses
The city bus company, ATAF, is the cheapest
way to get around the city. Most buses run
from early morning (about 6:00am) to midnight. For bus routes, schedules, and other
information, you may visit www.ataf.net,
call the toll free number (800 424 500), or
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Marist-LdM Pre-Departure Handbook
Passport
Students who need to apply for or renew
a passport:
ALL STUDENTS, REGARDLESS OF NATIONALITY
OR LOCATION (E.U. CITIZENS INCLUDED), ARE
REQUIRED TO HAVE A VALID PASSPORT.
Each country has its own process for
applying for a passport. Non-U.S. citizens
should check with their countries’ divisions
of foreign affairs for passport application
instructions. All students, including E.U.
citizens, should have a valid passport that
meets the aforementioned criteria.
What is a Passport?
A passport is an official document issued by
a government that identifies an individual.
This document will grant the individual
permission to travel abroad and return
Obtaining a U.S. Passport: U.S. citizens
planning to attend Marist-LdM should
home. This government document also
offers certain protections from other
governments for the individual.
verify that their passports are valid as
described above. If you do not have a
passport or need to renew a passport,
visit the U.S. Department of State Website.
This site contains all types of information,
including where to apply, application
forms, and how to obtain documentation
required, etc. Note: Passports may take
four weeks or more to obtain, especially
in late spring and early summer before
the peak travel season. If you don’t have
a current passport or your passport is not
considered valid based on the information
above, Marist Italy strongly recommends
submitting your application as soon as
possible.
Students who already have a passport:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Confirm that your passport is signed
Confirm that your passport was issued
on or after your 16th birthday
Verify that your passport is valid
for the duration of expected stay in
Italy and at least 3 months after your
scheduled return date
Verify that your passport has at least
two full empty pages for visas and
entry and departure stamps
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Marist-LdM Pre-Departure Handbook
Pre-Departure Checklist
FORMS TO BE SUBMITTED/COMPLETED
ONLINE:
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Conditions of Participation Form
Visa Document Release Form
Health Forms
Housing Packet
Italy Quiz
Orientation RSVP
Academic Plan
Course Registration
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Travel Plan
Contact Form
Visa Application (group appointment
participants only)
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OTHER ITEMS TO BE SUBMITTED
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Copy of passport (signature/photo page
uploaded)Consortium Agreement (MIP
Visiting Students Only)
Passport Copy - Signature/photo page only
Passport Photo
Visa Copy
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Pre-Departure To-Do List
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Monitor your Marist email daily for
program updates, instructions, and
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information. All communications
from Marist Italy will come via your
Marist email account.
Open a joint account with a parent/
(s) to facilitate visa financial
requirements and to allow family to
more easily arrange transfers, assist
with banking issues, etc.
Verify that your passport is valid for at
least 6 months beyond your planned
return date. No passport, no visa; no
visa, no travel.
Reserve your roundtrip flight when
program dates are confirmed.
Confirm flights with your airline
carrier three days before departure.
Apply for your visa
Take care of college financial matters.
Make sure you submit Financial Aid
Applications and sign promissory
notes before the deadline. Settle
outstanding balances on your student
account.
Attend the Poughkeepsie orientation
on June 20th. Bring your questions
Marist-LdM Pre-Departure Handbook
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(and your family’s questions) so that
all attendees can benefit from info/
answers. (Not applicable to M.A.
students)
Contact your pre-departure
coordinator for personal/private
concerns.
At orientation you have opportunities
to meet other participants. Get to
know them: you may want to share
ideas, contact info, flights, and/or
accommodation info.
Confer with your academic advisor
about your first semester’s course
selections; while you will submit
online class requests a few months
before your arrival; your official
registration will not arrive via email
until roughly three weeks before the
start of the semester.
Verify with your bank or credit union
that your checking ATM/debit/check/
credit card(s) will work overseas.
Notify card provider(s) that you will
be using the card(s) abroad. You will
need to provide dates, destinations.
Have a credit card reserved for
emergency use.
Arrange for a power of attorney if
your parents will need to sign forms,
endorse checks, etc. on your behalf.
Will you need to file federal and/or
state income tax forms while abroad
in spring? The annual deadline is
April 15. If you were employed, does
the your employer know where to
send your W-2 form in January? Will
someone complete income tax forms
on your behalf? Do you know how
to access tax forms and instructions
on-line?
Have a medical exam/physical and
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bring your vaccinations up to date.
Get a dental check-up. Have wisdom
teeth extracted, if necessary.
Do you need an eye check-up? If you
use contact lenses, bring supplies.
Bring eyeglasses in case you can’t
wear your lenses. Bring a copy of
your prescription in case you need
to replace lost or broken glasses, or
lenses.
Do you take prescription medication?
If so, bring your medication(s) in
pharmacy-labeled container(s) to
last your entire stay abroad. Discuss
supplies with your physician and
insurance provider. Allow time to
arrange for, or purchase, an adequate
supply. DO NOT HAVE MEDICATION
SHIPPED ABROAD TO YOU.
Know what personal items are
permitted and prohibited for air
travel: http://www.tsa.gov/.
Leave copies of your passport and
flight details (itinerary) with your
family members.
Register your travel with the U.S.
Department of State: https://step.
state.gov/step/
Keep copies of all of the following
documents and phone numbers and
report them if they are lost or stolen.
Keep them in a safe place separate
from the documents themselves.
ÎÎ Passport and visa
ÎÎ Airline ticket
ÎÎ HTH Insurance policy
ÎÎ ATM card and credit card with
emergency number
ÎÎ Phone numbers at home in case
of an emergency
ÎÎ Traveler’s checks and the list of
check numbers
Marist-LdM Pre-Departure Handbook
99 Keep your passport and valuables
with you at all times while traveling.
99 Carry extra clothes in your hand
luggage, as well as medicines and
valid prescriptions, and additional
toiletries as allowed (just in case you
are separated from your luggage)
99 Prior to leaving your home country,
convert enough money into euro to
get you through the first few days in
Italy—at least €100 or more.
99 If you are of voting age, set up
absentee voting prior to your
departure.
After Arrival To-Do List
99 Communicate with your family back
home to let them know you have
arrived.
99 Attend all mandatory on-site
orientation meeting(s).
99 Keep a journal or blog of your
experiences, friends, acquaintances,
and travels. Record contacts’
addresses, etc.
99 Take photos of the people you meet
and activities, as well as foreign
landscapes. Be respectful of local
customs as you photograph and be
discrete with your camera (try not to
look like a tourist).
99 Take advantage of all opportunities to
learn as much as possible about Italy.
99 Don’t allow the “virtual world” to
eclipse the real-world experiences:
you crossed the globe for them.
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Marist-LdM Pre-Departure Handbook
What is a visa?
A visa is permission for a foreign citizen
to enter another country for a specific
amount of time. A visa is usually a stamp
made in the traveler’s passport. This
stamp not only allows the bearer to enter
the country issuing it but also defines the
terms by which the bearer can remain in
the country. There are several different
types of visas, including visas for travel,
work, and study. The terms of a visa differ
depending on which country the person
requesting the visa comes from.
Who needs a visa?
How to get a visa
It is the responsibility of the student to get
their visas. The process for getting a visa
may be different from country to country.
Most students will need to make an
appointment with their assigned consulate
and follow the instructions for that
consulate. Students who are U.S. citizens
or legal residents of the U.S. may be eligible
to participate in a group appointment.
Individual Appointments
1.
2.
Any student who does not hold an E.U.
passport will need to secure an Italian
Student Visa. It is the responsibility of the
STUDENT to ensure that they receive their
visa prior to the program start. Marist Italy
can offer support and advice but cannot
obtain visas for participants. Marist Italy
may not have sufficient knowledge of the
visa requirements for students who are not
US citizens, but again, can offer support
and advice where requested.
3.
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Students will need to identify the
Italian Consulate nearest to their
homes.
Visit the Consulate website for a
copy of the visa application and a
list of additional documents that are
required for the visa process. NOTE:
All consulates will require certain
documents from Marist.
Please
complete step 3 of this process to
ensure you get your visa.
Send your visa document request form
BY MAIL with ORIGINAL SIGNATURE
to Marist in order to officially request
the supporting documents provided
for the visa process by the College.
(It takes approximately 5 days for the
documents to be processed so be sure
Marist-LdM Pre-Departure Handbook
4.
you leave enough time to have these
received by the College, processed,
and mailed back to you.) This form can
be found in the form section of the
Consulate website.
Once you have successfully completed
the visa process, you must send a color
copy or scan of your visa to Marist Italy.
3.
Group Appointment
(U.S. Citizens & Legal Residents Only)
The New York Italian Consulate allows
Marist Italy to appear and present the
visa applications of U.S. citizens and legal
residents on their behalves. Marist Italy
will receive one appointment in June at
which the College can present student’s
documents.
Students interested in
participating in the group appointment
must meet the following criteria:
1. Students must be U.S. citizens, green
card holders, or have U.S. visas with
residency in the United States.
2. Students must agree that they are
willing and able to submit their
materials for the group appointment
in the timeframe outlined. Students
will be responsible for completing visa
applications and should understand
that applications that are incomplete
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or missing items will not be submitted
to the consulate.
All application
materials are due no later than June
13th.
Students must agree to follow the
instructions on the following link,
download and complete the visa
application provided, and gather all
necessary supporting documentation
prior to the group appointment
deadline.
Students must send their visa
document request forms BY MAIL
with ORIGINAL SIGNATURE to Marist
in order to officially request the
supporting
documents
provided
for the visa process by the College.
(Group appointment participants will
include this document with their visa
applications. Papers will not be mailed
back to student but will be sent to
Marist Italy staff for inclusion in visa
application.)
Marist-LdM Pre-Departure Handbook
5. Students must acknowledge that they
understand that they are required to
submit their actual original passports
as part of the application process
and that it may take 6-8 weeks for
the visas to be processed. Therefore,
students participating in the group
appointment must understand that
they should not plan international
travel requiring a passport from the
end of June through the program
departure date. The consulate will
only allow a school representative
to pick up the passports/visas. They
will not allow the pickup of individual
documents separate from the group
submission.
Permit of Stay
(Permesso di Soggiorno)
Non-EU citizens must have BOTH the
student visa (which you obtain in your
home country) and the Permit of Stay
(which you obtain once in Italy), in order to
be legal during your time studying in Italy.
The Italian Minister of Internal Affairs
requires the Permesso di Soggiorno
(Permit of Stay) for all purposes: tourism,
study, work, and family visits. Upon
arrival, Marist Italy staff will instruct you
on this procedure. The processing of the
documents for the Permit of Stay will be
handled by our associates at Eduitalia.
You can complete a pre-registration at
www.xxxxxx.com. Although a credit card
number is requested when registering on
the link, no money is debited until after the
collection of the documents for the Permit
of Stay, normally during the first week of
the term.
The total cost will be approximately
€181.15. Since there is a possibility that
the price may rise, exact cost and details
will be announced during orientation in
Florence. This amount has to be paid in
cash or by credit card by each student
when submitting the documents required
for the Permit of Stay:
1. A COPY OF THE FRONT PHOTO PAGE
OF YOUR PASSPORT
2. A COPY OF THE VISA PAGE OF YOUR
PASSPORT. This page, stamped at the
Italian border, has to be photocopied
upon arrival in Italy
3. A COPY OF YOUR INTERNATIONAL
HEALTH INSURANCE POLICY (health
insurance is ONLY valid if your policy
specifies that you are covered abroad).
Students who do not have international
health insurance will be required to
purchase an Italian Emergency Health
Insurance policy. This will only cover
emergency medical services in Italy
4. A copy of the Marist Italy acceptance
letter that you presented to the
Italian Consulate or Embassy bearing
an official stamp or seal. This letter
should have been returned by the
Italian Consulate together with your
passport and visa
Travel Arrangements
The Marist Italy tuition and fee structure
does not include the cost of roundtrip airfare. Students are responsible
for organizing and paying for their own
transportation. Therefore, students must
make their reservations and payments to
a travel agent, website, or to the airline
directly. All arrangements and transactions
will be between the student and the travel
agency; Marist College and Lorenzo de’
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Marist-LdM Pre-Departure Handbook
Medici are not responsible for any air
travel transactions or arrangements, and
will not intervene or interfere in students’
arrangements.
For students departing from the United
States who wish to travel with other
students, Marist Italy offers a group flight
option out of the New York metropolitan
area in the fall only.
This flight is
coordinated by an independent travel
agency, Advantage Travel, which specializes
in student travel. The group flight is not
mandatory but simply offers students
companionship while in transit. Whenever
possible, Marist Italy attempts to have a
staff/faculty member accompany group
flights.
Those students who choose to travel
independently are encouraged, when
possible, to make travel plans similar to
the group flight. This allows students to
integrate with the larger group and be
present as orientation activities begin.
•
•
Please be aware that attendance at
orientation in Florence is REQUIRED
for all students. Make sure you plan
your travel itinerary accordingly.
All students should plan to arrive
into Florence no later than 4:00 pm
(UTC+1) on their arrival date to join
orientation activities.
Once the group flight is finalized it will be
published on the Advantage Travel website
and announced via email. Anyone with
questions regarding the group flight should
contact Gabriella Bonney at Advantage
Travel directly:
Email: [email protected] | Tel:
+1-315-471-2222 | Fax: +1-315-471-6264
Advantage Travel of CNY, Inc.|313 East
Willow Street, Suite 104 |Syracuse, NY
13203
NOTE: There are no group flight options for
NEW spring students. If you have questions
about the date you should be in Florence
for New Student Orientation please consult
the Marist Italy Academic Calendar and
your Marist Coordinator.
WHERE TO ARRIVE
Airport information: Peretola Aeroporto
di Firenze, or Amerigo Vespucci Airport
(Airport Code: FLR)
The airport is 5 km (3 miles) from the city
center of Florence by taxi. Other nearby
airports (but that require bus or train travel
to the city center of Florence) include
Galileo Galilei airport in Pisa (PSA) and
Aeroporto di Bologna (BLQ). Travel hubs
such as Milan (three hours away) and Rome
(90 minutes away) are accessible by highspeed trains.
Students in the U.S. will find that there
are no flights from the United States flying
directly into Florence. Major airlines provide
connections to Florence through European
cities, such as Frankfurt, Paris, Rome, and
Zurich. Be mindful of the connection times,
students are most likely required to clear
customs at first point of arrival into the E.U.
Flights connections with a layover less than
1 hour may be difficult to make.
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Marist-LdM Pre-Departure Handbook
Train/Bus Info
Florence, Santa Maria Novella Station
is a five-minute walk from Marist Italy
administrative office. The Trenitalia
English-language web site contains all train
travel information for Italy, including the
Italian Eurostar, regional trains, and airport
shuttles: http://www.trenitalia.com/en/
index.html.
ARRIVAL IN FLORENCE
Prior to departure, students will receive
more information via email from Marist
Italy staff regarding arrival. Upon arrival in
Florence, students will be given direction
on how to get from the airport to their
residences. Most group flights are met
at the airport. Students who elect not
to travel on the group flight will need to
coordinate their arrivals with the Marist
Italy Residence Life staff. Directions on how
to do this will be given later on in the predeparture program.
The Florence airport (Peretola) is connected
with the city by a bus service every half
hour, which arrives close to the central
train station, Stazione Santa Maria Novella.
The service, which is direct and makes no
intermediate stops, is called VOLAINBUS
and is operated jointly by the local Florence
city bus company ATAF (bus no. 55) and
the SITA bus company. Tickets cost €4.50
and the trip takes approximately 15 to 20
minutes to the center of Florence.
Taxis are also stationed in front of the
Arrivals terminal and have a fixed fare to
downtown Florence of €20, plus €1 for each
piece of luggage. This fare is valid Monday
through Friday, from 6am to 10pm, but is
a bit higher during the weekends or after
10pm. The taxi ride is approximately 15
minutes. It is not customary to tip taxi
drivers in Italy.
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Marist-LdM Pre-Departure Handbook
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Marist-LdM Pre-Departure Handbook
Marist Italy offers apartment-style housing
for program participants. Each apartment
has been selected and inspected by our
residence life staff. While every effort is
made to find apartments that are similar in
terms of facilities, amenities and distance
to classes, no two apartments are the same.
Students are reminded that many of the
buildings that house our apartments can be
up to 700 years old! While the apartments
have been modernized, they are distinctly
characteristic of the Renaissance city.
Students who have Marist housing will
have staff assistance should an apartment
issue arise. Additionally, proof of lodging
The refund policy can be found on your
program’s pre-departure webpage.
is now required by the Italian consulates in
most locations. Marist Italy can ensure that
students who have selected school housing
will have the proper documentation needed
to secure their visas. Students interested in
securing housing through Marist will need
to follow the directions on the Marist Italy
pre-departure webpage for their particular
program.
Housing cost includes:
• Semester rent, for fixed check-in and
check-out dates
• Routine repairs not caused by
negligence or carelessness
• Utilities (water, gas, electricity),
provided the consumption bills are
equal or lower than the average
cost determined by the real estate
agency. Any costs above the average
consumption bills will be charged
to the students sharing the same
apartment.
• Apartment cleaning after students
depart
Housing Costs & Amenities
Housing costs are per person, per semester,
and vary depending on type of housing and
program. Costs can be found in the tuition
and fees section of the Marist Italy website.
Marist Italy apartments are all furnished
to meet students’ basic needs. Each
residence has at least one bathroom,
a kitchen, and access to a washing
machine. Each apartment includes: basic
kitchenware (dishes, silverware, pots, pans
and utensils), bed linen (sheets, blanket/
duvet, pillow), towels (1 bath and 1 hand),
and wireless Internet.
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Marist-LdM Pre-Departure Handbook
Housing cost does not include:
• Meals
• Damages caused by students’
negligence or carelessness
• Utilities over allotted consumption
• Some notes about housing in
Florence:
• Elevators are rare in Florence.
• You will be shopping more often for
food because the refrigerators are
usually medium or small in size.
• Electricity and water are expensive.
Europeans generally are very
conservative with their use of utilities.
• Buildings can be anywhere from 50 to
•
•
700+ years old; therefore, the heating
systems are not as powerful as the
ones in the U.S. Bring wool clothing
or clothes you can layer.
Apartments do not have typically
have air conditioners, but most
are equipped with fans. Open the
windows to get good ventilation in
your apartment and save energy.
Remember to close the windows
when you are not in the apartment.
House slippers may be helpful and
comfortable, since Italian apartments
don’t have carpets. They can
also avoid noise for the neighbors
downstairs.
•
•
•
•
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Electric plugs look different in Italy.
The voltage in Italy is 220V (U.S. is
110V). Get a converter and adaptor
heads for electronics to prevent
blowing the electrical circuit and/or
damaging electronics (most laptops
have built-in converters).
Phone landlines are not available in
your rented apartments.
Internet is available in ALL
apartments. Keep in mind that Italian
Internet is different from Internet in
the U.S. You may be used to constant,
non-stop Internet connections, but
overall in Florence the connections
are slower and not as steady, due to
the differing architecture of buildings.
You may not always have access
to Internet in your bedroom, but
Internet is guaranteed in the common
area of the apartment. You may want
to bring an Ethernet cable just in case.
Washing machines are available--not
dryers. Apartments all have drying
racks, or you may choose to use one
of the many Laundromats in the city.
Marist-LdM Pre-Departure Handbook
•
•
•
Earplugs can be useful for the night,
as some streets can be quite noisy.
Housing Rules
Students selecting Marist Italy housing
are bound by the rules and policies
outlined in the Marist Italy resident
handbook. Students are expected to
familiarize themselves with it prior to
their arrival in Florence. Students are
also expected familiarize themselves
with the Marist Italy housing
withdrawal and refund policy.
Housing Assignments
• Freshmen students will be assigned a
housing placement by our residence
life staff. Upper-class undergraduates,
graduate, and MIP visiting students
may request specific roommate/
housing assignments. Ten days before
your departure date, Marist Italy
will provide you with the following
information:
Address of Residence
• Names & contact information for
roommate(s) & housemates
• Information regarding the details for
check-in day
Students will not be allowed to check in to
their apartments before the check-in and/
or check dates out of their apartments.
Students arriving early/departing late
should organize stays at local hotels. A list
of suggested hotels can be found in the
visitor’s section of the Marist website.
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Marist-LdM Pre-Departure Handbook
Note:Î Students who are attending Marist
Italy for the full academic year will have
access to their residences during holiday
periods. During school breaks (excluding
summer), Marist will have at least one
residence life staff member present to
assist with any urgent issues.
Meal Plan
An optional daily lunch plan is offered
through the student café. This meal plan is
designed to complement the home cooking
our students do in the kitchen facilities of
their residences. The plan allows students
one meal a day at the Café Medici located in
the main academic building at Via Faenza,
43. Students can select a sandwich, salad,
or hot plate along with a bottled drink or
a coffee, and a side dish or bag of chips.
Students who sign up for the meal plan
will receive a meal card for use during the
semester. Any unused meals will expire at
the end of each semester. Costs for the
meal plan can be found in the costs section
of the Marist Italy website. The meal plan
will be billed at the beginning of each
semester as part of the student’s tuition
and fee statement. Students may indicate
their desire to participate in the meal plan
by selecting that option on the housing
selection form.
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Marist-LdM Pre-Departure Handbook
communication
Cellphones
All students studying with Marist Italy
are required to have an active cellphone
throughout the duration of the program
for safety and security reasons. Students
are required to share this number with the
Marist Italy staff. Student apartments do
not have land-lines, and thus the cellphone
allows us keep a clear line of communication
open in the case of an emergency as well as
allowing students a way to keep in contact
with family, faculty and friends.
•
•
PicCell Wireless: an Italian cellphone
number and phone that is delivered
to students prior to their departure.
Selecting an Italian carrier upon
arrival in Italy (this includes pay-asyou-go options)
Activating their home cellphones for
international use
PICCELL
WIRELESS
Students may choose, BUT ARE
Students interested in using PicCell
Wireless can order through the PicCell link
below. PicCell can also be reached by email
at [email protected] should you
have additional questions or concerns.
OTHER ITALIAN CELLPHONE
OPTIONS
Students have several cellphone options:
•
to departure, a choice in plan, virtual U.S.
numbers tied to the phone and payment
by credit card. As always, Marist strongly
encourages students to research and
compare the cellphone options prior to
making a decision.
NOT
OBLIGATED, to use the PicCell Wireless
option offered through Marist. Please note
that PicCell is not the cheapest carrier in
the market but they offer several perks that
have consistently made them popular with
the top study abroad providers in Florence.
These perks include, but are not limited
to: receiving your phone and number prior
Purchasing a local phone will cost an
upfront price plus minutes. Using an Italian
cellphone is an easy and cost-effective way
to call/text other students in the program,
as almost all students (and any the new
Italian friends you will meet) will be on
the Italian network. In addition, families
can contact you on your Italian cellphone.
It is a far less expensive and more reliable
option than using your American phone.
(Incoming calls to Italian cellphones are
free, so you will not use your minutes to
take incoming calls.) The major Italian
cellphone companies are TIM, Vodafone,
and Wind. You cannot sign up for an
Italian contract without an Italian credit
card, but students find the pay-as-you-go
option quite convenient. You can purchase
RicaRica (airtime top-up) at cellphone
stores and grocery stores all over Florence.
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Marist-LdM Pre-Departure Handbook
Important Considerations When Choosing
a Cellphone Option:
• Regardless of cellphone option,
students
are
responsible
for
familiarizing themselves with rates,
roaming, international calling, terms
of contracts, billing procedures, and
other phone provider information.
Cellphone arrangements are solely
between the student and the carrier;
Marist will not intervene or be
accountable for cellphone contracts or
fees.
• Phone calls made outside of Italy (i.e.
while roaming) can be very expensive
and incoming calls may have additional
charges.
• Students who choose to keep their
home phone and number should be
aware that any calls made in Italy may
be billed as international calls. Some
companies charge $2.99 and up per
minute for calls generated from and
received while overseas. Be sure you
are clear on your company’s overseas
rates—note these rates can vary from
country to country.
• Marist recommends that students
save all important program contact
numbers in their phones prior to
departure.
• Some students choose to keep their
smartphones from home and use them
with an Italian SIM card. You must
FIRST get your smartphone unlocked
by your U.S. provider before leaving
the U.S.. You can buy an SIM card from
one of the major cellphone companies
in Florence. If you want the option of
a contract, you can order a SIM card
through PicCell.
•
•
•
•
Be sure you have entered your contact
information into the questionnaire on
the forms section of your program predeparture website.
Be sure that you have shared your
phone number with your friends and
family prior to your departure.
If your credit card is lost or stolen and
so is cancelled, be sure that you notify
your cellphone provider and provide
them with new billing information.
Cell phones, if used as the primary
means of communication home,
can become expensive.
Students
are encouraged to develop a
communications plan (perhaps an
established day of the week and specific
time of day to call) prior to leaving and
explore additional communications
options such as Facetime, Skype etc…
PLEASE NOTE: While we are happy to
provide some tips and advice, Marist
Italy does not endorse one mobile phone
provider over another. Ultimately, it is
up to each individual student to conduct
thorough research and choose the best
personal option. We recommend you do
some research on what other students
have used in the past, and get varied
recommendations on ease of use, charges,
customer service, reliability, etc.
Calling the United States from Italy
Accessing an International Line: – 00
Country code for U.S.: – 1
Example: 00-1-845-575-3330 (to call the
Marist Italy offices in NY)
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Marist-LdM Pre-Departure Handbook
Marist-LdM has a Student Mail Service
to facilitate students’ mail and packages
sent from family and friends. Do not have
anything sent directly to your apartment
or to the Marist Italy Offices. Please have
your friends and family address the letters/
packages to:
YOUR NAME
C/O ISTITUTO LORENZO DE’ MEDICI VIA
DEL MELARANCIO 6/r
50123 FIRENZE, ITALIA
Regular mail generally takes anywhere
from 8-10 days to arrive, both to and from
the U.S. Packages take longer: 45 days if
sent by regular airmail, 3-6 days if sent by
special shipping options in the Post Office
(this costs more money).
Express mail (Fed-Ex, DHL, etc.) takes about
3-4 days. It is your responsibility to check
with the Student Mail Service, and to check
your mailbox frequently, especially when
you are expecting a package.
Customs for Packages
International imports are subject to strict
customs controls, and many of them can
entail fees. Each time food, cosmetics,
magazines, electronics, leather products,
medicines, vitamins, and/or medical
supplies (e.g. contact lenses) are sent and/
or declared, your packages are more likely
to be held up in customs. For packages
held up in customs, you may be expected to
pay a customs fee. This will require having
you send/fax a copy of your passport and
a signed declaration to customs officials,
often pay a customs fee, and sometimes
pay a processing fee in addition to the
customs fee. For this reason, we suggest
you avoid sending these types of goods.
Mailing Medicine/Medical
Supplies
For medicine, contact lenses, etc., we
recommend that you bring a supply with
you for your whole stay in Italy. If you
run out, most items can be prescribed by
a doctor in Italy. There are a number of
English- speaking doctors who would be
able to give new prescriptions for most of
your medication. (see the Health section for
information on ADHD drugs, which cannot
be prescribed in Italy). If you have a specific
medicine(s) that you take, we recommend
that you bring a prescription from your
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Marist-LdM Pre-Departure Handbook
home doctor to show to the doctors here.
If medicine or medical supplies are held
up in customs, you will have to provide
customs officials with a prescription from a
doctor in Italy, and there is the risk that the
medication(s) won’t arrive in time.
•
Other Ways of Keeping in
Touch
•
•
•
E-mail is relatively inexpensive, if
not cost-free. All Marist and LdM
academic buildings have Wi-Fi, as
do all Marist apartments. There is a
growing number of cafés that offer
free Wi-Fi in Florence and around
Italy. Cybercafés can still be found in
most cities. Please remember that all
official communication with students
is done via your Marist email. Make
sure you check it often.
Skype is a relatively inexpensive option
for keeping in touch with friends and
family: www.skype.com. Skype also
has a low-cost calling option.
Google Voice is a great app for your
smartphone that gives you a U.S.based number that family and friends
can call at no charge. You will also not
be charged for incoming calls. You can
load money onto your Google Voice
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account and will be able to make lowcost calls to anywhere in the world.
Other Apps: Please explore WhatsApp
and Viber and other apps for
smartphones that could be helpful
in maintaining contact with family
and friends back home and with new
friends in Florence.
Marist-LdM Pre-Departure Handbook
Pre-Departure Medical/
Dental Check up
shock, will subside as you establish your
new routine.
It is a good idea to have a medical checkup
before you leave the U.S. A visit/checkup
with your dentist is also recommended.
It is also IMPORTANT to bring copies of
important health records and a doctor’s
statement about any health problems. If
you have a serious medical condition, we
also recommend getting a translated card
or letter that you can carry with you that
will outline your condition in Italian.
General Medical Concerns
Health issues are generally the same in
Italy as they are in the U.S. Adapting to a
new climate, food, water, and way of life
may affect one’s health during the first few
weeks, but should have no lasting effects.
Colds and sore throats are often symptoms
of the stress or adjusting to a new climate.
Staying warm, dry, well-rested, and well
hydrated is perhaps the best way to ward
off these minor illnesses. Adjusting to a
new climate, Italian culture and food, and
a new linguistic environment may lead to
feelings of lethargy and exhaustion. These
symptoms, also associated with culture
Medications
•
•
•
•
-26-
While most medical conditions are
treatable in Italy, some methods of
treatment and drug regimens may
be different. If you have a long-term
health issue or a standing prescription,
be sure to discuss prescription
options with your doctor prior to your
departure.
Whenever possible, we recommend
that students with daily prescriptions
obtain enough medication for their
entire stay, plus an extra supply.
In addition to the medication, Marist
Italy recommends students bring
a written diagnosis or prescription
from your doctor as proof that you
are allowed to have the medication.
Note: While U.S. prescriptions justify
you traveling with the medications,
they are not valid in Italian pharmacies
for a refill. Therefore, to obtain a
prescription valid in Italy, you will need
to visit a doctor there who will be able
to write you a prescription.
All prescribed medications must be
labeled clearly IN THEIR ORIGINAL
Marist-LdM Pre-Departure Handbook
CONTAINERS with your name to avoid
any problems with local authorities.
There are many mosquitos in Florence.
While they do not carry any diseases
and medication is not necessary, it
is advisable to have some bug spray
(which can be purchased in Italy),
particularly if you will be here during
the warmer months. Our suggestion
is not to leave the windows open at
night when the lights are on in your
apartment, as this attracts more
mosquitos. Note: Italian residences
rarely have screens in the windows,
AdderallÎ amongÎ studentsÎ isÎ consideredÎ aÎ
crimeÎaccordingÎtoÎItalianÎlaw,ÎandÎwillÎbeÎ
viewedÎ byÎ MaristÎ ItalyÎ asÎ aÎ seriousÎ drugÎ
offÎense.
Insurance and Medical Care
The Italian government mandates that
all temporary foreign residents in Italy
maintain an adequate form of health
insurance. Since you will become a
temporary resident of Italy, you are
so bugs can be problematic in fall and
spring.
Important Note
ManyÎdrugsÎthatÎareÎprescribedÎforÎADDÎorÎ
ADHD,ÎsuchÎasÎAdderall,ÎareÎnotÎavailableÎ
inÎ Italy,Î andÎ areÎ inÎ factÎ consideredÎ
narcotiÎcsÎ andÎ areÎ illegal.Î Î IfÎ youÎ haveÎ
aÎ prescriptiÎonÎ forÎ theseÎ typesÎ ofÎ drugs,Î
youÎareÎadvisedÎtoÎbringÎaÎsupplyÎforÎtheÎ
duratiÎonÎofÎyourÎstay,ÎclearlyÎlabelledÎwithÎ
yourÎ name,Î andÎ theÎ prescriptiÎonÎ fromÎ
yourÎdoctorÎasÎproofÎthatÎyouÎareÎentiÎtledÎ
toÎ haveÎ thisÎ asÎ medicatiÎon.Î Î Î DoctorsÎ
cannotÎ supplyÎ drugsÎ ofÎ thisÎ natureÎ inÎ
Italy,Î andÎ theseÎ prescriptiÎonsÎ CANNOTÎ
beÎ shipped.Î Î AdditiÎonally,Î theÎ sharingÎ ofÎ
required to do so, as well. Marist has
contracted HTH Worldwide to provide
students who study abroad with health
insurance that meets the requirements of
the Italian government, ensures that you
are covered as required by Marist College's
operating guidelines, and covers the
student during their stay in Italy and travel
in countries outside the U.S. This policy
is extremely comprehensive and includes
coverage for everything from emergency
evacuation from Italy (for medical reasons)
to routine doctors’ visits.
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Marist-LdM Pre-Departure Handbook
This insurance coverage is active on the
date your program begins and remains
valid through the end of the academic year.
Marist Italy staff will provide each student
with an HTH card with your name, group
number, and policy number on it. Italy has
numerous English-speaking doctors from
all specialties who practice in Florence and
accept HTH. If a doctor does not accept
HTH insurance up-front, a student can pay
the fee the doctor requires and then submit
a claim form with the receipt from the
doctor’s office attached to HTH Worldwide
for a reimbursement. Share this insurance
information with your family. Keep a copy
of your card in your wallet. Also know
what your family’s insurance coverage and
benefits are.
Your program’s pre-departure webpage
has a copy of the HTH Policy Summary, an
HTH FAQ, an HTH website quick reference
guide, and a sample of the HTH card/
letter provided to each student. Detailed
information on doctors, claims and HTH
services can be found on both the HTH
student services site and the pre-departure
site.
Personal Care and Medications
Almost all imaginable bath products and
cosmetics are available in Florence. Bring
travel-size bottles of your essential bath
products/toiletries and stock up on what
you need after arrival.
Students with Disabilities
Students
with
physical
disabilities
should be aware that accommodations
throughout Italy can be limited, and that
it will be necessary to adjust to their
new surroundings and culture. Prior to
departure, seek out as much information
as possible. It is important for students to
keep in mind that Florence is an old city
with buildings that are 50 to 700+ years
old, elevators are rare and may not fit a
wheelchair, hallways and stairways can be
narrow, streets are often cobblestone and
uneven and do not have large sidewalks.
Important Phone Numbers,
Emergency and Medical
Services
FOR EMERGENCY ONLY:
Carabinieri
Police Emergency
Ambulance—First Aid
112
113
118
United States Consulate
Lungarno Vespucci, 38
055 266 951 (switchboard)
Open to the public: Monday-Friday
9:00am - 12:30pm.
For emergency situations and afternoon
appointments they can be reached by
phone.
English-Speaking Doctors in Florence
There are a number of English speaking
doctors in Florence. Students and staff
often consult the following:
Dr. Stephen Kerr
An English general practitioner who lives
and practices in Florence. Piazza Mercato
Nuovo 1, Studio Medico, 4th floor (very
close to Piazza della Signoria), tel. 055
288055 (office), 335 8361682 (cell). Walk-in
hours are weekdays from 3:00pm-5:00pm,
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Marist-LdM Pre-Departure Handbook
or call for an appointment. Website: www.
dr-kerr.com.
Tourist Medical Service
Via Lorenzo il Magnifico 59. 055 475411.
A doctor is on call 24 hours a day. They
provide medical service in a variety of
languages for a range of problems. They
will also make house calls. Walk-in hours:
weekdays, 11:00am-12:00pm & 5:00pm6:00pm, Saturday, 11:00am-12:00pm. A
medical service doctor is also available
in Florence's historic center at Via Porta
Rossa 1. Monday-Saturday, 1-3pm, email:
[email protected]
Medical Service
www.medicalservice.firenze.it.
055 475 411
English speaking general practitioners and
specialists.
Via Roma, 4
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Marist-LdM Pre-Departure Handbook
FlorenceÎ isÎ aÎ safeÎ city,Î but,Î asÎ inÎ anyÎ city,Î
youÎ mustÎ useÎ commonÎ senseÎ andÎ takeÎ
precautiÎons.
Learn about the customs and local laws of
Italy. Remember you are subject to local
Italian laws and are not protected by U.S.
laws. In general, try to keep a low profile.
Once adjusted to your new location, you will
have a better sense of how you wish to act in
your new surroundings.
9
Some general tips to keep
you safe:
9
9
9
Be Aware of Pickpockets: As in any city
with large numbers of tourists, Florence
9
has pickpockets who have mastered the
art of pick-pocketing, and quickly take
advantage of easily-accessible purses or
wallets in large crowds and packed buses.
They tend to be concentrated near the
main tourist attractions, museums, and
transport hubs where people are likely
to be distracted.
Students should not walk alone at night,
especially if they have had too much to
drink—it is unsafe and inappropriate.
Call a taxi or walk with someone.
Women who travel alone in taxi have a
10% discount from 9pm to 2am.
Drinking: The drinking age in Italy
-30-
has recently been increased to 18.
Selling alcohol to minors carries a fine
between €250 and €1000. If found in
an inebriated state, the police can stop
you, ask for documents, and fine you (up
to €350). Also, in these conditions, you
are at a greater risk of being physically or
verbally attacked.
ID: Carrying a personal document is
mandatory by law, but it is always safer
when you are coming to class or just
taking a walk to carry the copy rather
than the original. Note that if you will
be traveling, or going to the bank, you’ll
need your original. For a lost or stolen
passport, call your consulate.
Clothing: Fashion in Italy follows a more
conservative arch than it does in the
U.S. Keep this in mind when packing and
dressing yourself to go out. In particular,
take note of articles of clothing that have
logos or sayings on them. Sports teams,
band names, or even popular logos such
as Nike or Adidas can instantly label
you as an tourist. Try to pack things
without decals; it will help you blend
in. Girls need to be careful with shorts
or sweatpants with words written across
the bottom, low-cut shirts or midriffbaring shirts because they can easily gain
them unwanted attention.
Marist-LdM Pre-Departure Handbook
Registering with the U.S. Consulate
All foreign citizens should register with
the Countries Consulate in Florence or
Embassy in Rome. In the event of an
emergency, citizens who are registered
will be contacted by the Consulate; they
also receive regular updates via email on
various situations in Italy. U.S. nationals
should register with the U.S. Consulate in
Florence. This can be done online prior
to departure at: https://travelregistration.
state.gov/ibrs/.
A Special Note on Alcohol
and Drugs
9
9
Incidents involving alcohol or drug
consumption are among the leading
causes of problems in education
abroad. Don’t let these incidents
happen to you. Keep your educational
experience in Italy an enjoyable one.
The drinking age is 18 in Italy. For
many of our younger students,
this means the first opportunity to
legally purchase or order alcoholic
9
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9
9
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beverages.
We urge students to
consider the negative effects of alcohol
consumption when planning social
events or trips to clubs. If you do drink,
please consider the following guidelines
to keep your drinking and behavior safer
and culturally appropriate:
Î Drink SLOWLY to allow your body to
metabolize the alcohol. Getting sick
is not cool.
Î Be AWARE and know the cultural
context in which you are drinking.
If you drink, do so with friends and stay
together. Solitary drinking is a symptom
of a larger problem.
If you drink, drink as part of a meal. Food
slows down the absorption of alcohol
into the blood stream.
Be aware that most safety incidents
(robberies, physical attacks, etc.) happen
to students who are intoxicated.
Any amount of drinking impacts our
ability to use our better judgment in new
situations. Consider the full range of
potential outcomes before drinking in an
unfamiliar setting or with strangers.
Marist-LdM Pre-Departure Handbook
Personal Budgeting
“How much money do I need?” This is one of
the most frequently asked questions and one
of the most difficult for us to answer. Each
student has their own lifestyle and idea about
how much money they need to live. Feedback
from alumni is that students on a modest
budget spend approximately $3000 per
semester. On this budget, students should be
able to purchase personal care items, attend
events, activities, and eat out occasionally.
Dining out can be quite expensive, so if you
think you think you might want to do that
often, plan to adjust your budget accordingly.
Remember, students enrolled in courses with
field trips, lab fees, and class supplies and
materials are responsible for paying these
expenses, which can be costly. Students
should budget extra money accordingly. Most
museum visits occur in relation with specific
classes. Entrance fees to museums can vary
between $13.00 to $20.00. This amount does
not include weekend and break travel.
Bank Accounts, ATM Cards,
Credit Cards
You will find that you use cash more
frequently in Italy than you do in the U.S.,
especially for purchases of less than €10.
Your ATM card is the best way to get cash in
Italy. ATMs are widely accessible in Florence.
Check with your bank to be sure your ATM
card can be used in foreign countries and to
get information on your bank’s service fees
for international ATM withdrawals.
If your ATM card is also a debit/credit card
linked to the Visa or MasterCard network,
you will get the best exchange rate and not
be charged interest on purchases. Another
advantage of the Visa or MasterCard debit
card is that family members can deposit
money into your account in the U.S. and you
can access the funds almost immediately
through an ATM. Be advised that there is
usually a service charge/fee for each ATM
transaction, so plan your cash withdrawals
accordingly. Most students are able to stay
on track by making a weekly (or biweekly)
ATM withdrawal, and using their debit card
for dinners out, shopping, etc. By keeping
to this type of system, you minimize ATM
fees as well as benefit from getting the best
exchange rate on purchases.
Unless you have a bank account, it is very
hard to exchange money at a bank in Italy.
Opening a bank account is a cumbersome
procedure and not recommend it to students.
Please note also that checks from U.S. bank
accounts CANNOT be cashed in Italy. Since
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Marist-LdM Pre-Departure Handbook
Italian banks will not exchange dollars, and
exchange windows charge exorbitant fees,
we recommend that you arrive with at least
€100 in cash from your home bank, and then
make cash withdrawals at ATMs. This will
mean you have one less thing to think about
when you arrive.
cash in Italy. ATMs are widely accessible
in Florence. Check with your bank to be
sure your ATM card can be used in foreign
countries and to get information on your
bank’s service fees for international ATM
withdrawals.
Bank Accounts, ATM Cards,
Credit Cards
If your ATM card is also a debit/credit card
linked to the Visa or MasterCard network,
you will get the best exchange rate and not
be charged interest on purchases. Another
advantage of the Visa or MasterCard debit
You will find that you use cash more
frequently in Italy than you do in the
U.S., especially for purchases of less than
€10. Your ATM card is the best way to get
uch you
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-33-
Marist-LdM Pre-Departure Handbook
card is that family members can deposit
money into your account in the U.S. and you
can access the funds almost immediately
through an ATM. Be advised that there is
usually a service charge/fee for each ATM
transaction, so plan your cash withdrawals
accordingly. Most students are able to stay
on track by making a weekly (or biweekly)
ATM withdrawal, and using their debit card
for dinners out, shopping, etc. By keeping
to this type of system, you minimize ATM
fees as well as benefit from getting the best
exchange rate on purchases.
Unless you have a bank account, it is very
hard to exchange money at a bank in Italy.
Opening a bank account is a cumbersome
procedure and we do not recommend it
to students. Please note also that checks
from U.S. bank accounts CANNOT be
cashed in Italy. Since Italian banks will not
exchange dollars, and exchange windows
charge exorbitant fees, we recommend
that you arrive with at least €100 in cash
from your home bank, and then make cash
withdrawals at ATMs. This will allow you to
have one less thing to think about when
you arrive.
*Important Note: Be sure to let your banks
and credit card companies know you about
your travel plans. Otherwise, European
transactions could be flagged and service
could be blocked.*
US Banks in Florence
BANK OF AMERICA = BNL
Piazza della Repubblica, 21R (telephone:
+39 055 233 0502)
Via dei Cerretani, 6 (telephone +39 055
233 0440)
Via Ghibellina corner of Via Verdi
(telephone: +39 055 244 851)
CITIBANK = Barclays.
Via Don G. Minzoni, 9 (telephone: +39 055
5372301)
-34-
Marist-LdM Pre-Departure Handbook
-35-
Marist-LdM Pre-Departure Handbook
When you are trying to determine what to
bring on this trip, please remember that
you alone will carry your bags! You will
find cobblestone streets and many flights
of stairs—can you carry it all by yourself?
Test your bags before you leave home!
Airlines also limit the number of bags you
can travel with. Be aware of items that
are prohibited by your airline. For more
information on what you cannot carry
in your suitcase or carry- on bag and for
luggage restrictions, please contact your
airline or check the airline’s website.
During your journey, watch your bags at
all times and do not accept packages from
anyone.
Suggested Packing List
9 Comfortable shoes (older/historic
cities/sites have cobblestone and/
or uneven, unpaved streets and
sidewalks)
9 Comfortable clothing—perhaps a little
dressier then you are used to wearing
at home
9 Dressy outfit(s) for special dinners or
events, etc.
Remember that many airlines now charge
an extra fee for having more than one bag!
Going over the weight limit can also carry
heavy fees; purchase a luggage scale to
weigh your bags at home before departing.
9
It is also worth remembering that the
majority of students arrive in Florence on
the same day that they departed, which
may increase your chances of having
your luggage delayed, especially if it’s
overweight. After packing, see if you can
weed out any items you don’t think you’ll
wear or use.
9
9
9
9
9
-36-
Warm winter coat, gloves, scarf, etc.
as appropriate (accessories can be
purchased once you get to Florence)
Raincoat, rainboots, & umbrella (or
purchase umbrella once you arrive in
Italy)
Bathrobe/cover-up
Basic travel size toiletries (toothbrush,
toothpaste, deodorant)
Contact lens supplies for entire stay
abroad, extra lenses, and prescription
eyeglasses (in case contact lenses fail)
Necessary prescription medication to
last the entire semester or academic
year
Marist-LdM Pre-Departure Handbook
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
Backpack for weekend or vacation
travel
Camera, extra batteries, and charger
A few photos of family and friends
Sunglasses
Bathing suit
Sports gear (if you plan to participate
in sports abroad)
Foreign voltage converter for camera
or cell phone charger, etc.
Electric plug adapter to plug converter
into wall socket
9
9
9
Computer, cords, and backup hard
drive (be careful to use a converter
and/or adapter)
IPod, if desired
Sunscreen
What Not To Bring
9 Electrical appliances (e.g., hairdryers,
electric radios/alarm clocks, etc.)
because problems arise from
differences in electrical current—even
using converters
-37-
Clothing you might wear, because you
won’t!
Clothing that needs dry-cleaning
Expensive or precious items
Marist-LdM Pre-Departure Handbook
Culture Shock
We have provided this section on cultural
adjustment, sometimes referred to as
“culture shock,” to help you prepare for the
ups and downs that you may experience
during your time in Italy. Culture shock
is a term used to describe the anxiety
and feelings of surprise, disorientation,
confusion, etc. felt when people must
operate within an entirely different
cultural or social environment. Culture
shock is completely normal and is generally
experienced by all sojourners, although
different individuals experience different
levels of severity.
Symptoms of culture shock include:
9 Unwarranted criticism of the host
culture and people
9 Heightened irritability
9 Constant complaints
9 Fatigue; excess sleep
9 Retreat to the indoors
9 Utopian ideas concerning one's home
culture
9 Refusal to learn the language
9 Preoccupation about being robbed or
cheated
9 Constant communication with friends
and family at home
9 Preoccupation with returning home
Do not fear that your entire experience
in Italy will be spent in shock, but be
prepared to undergo a fairly typical cultural
adjustment cycle during your time abroad.
In other words, expect some ups and
downs. The following outlines a common
cultural adjustment cycle, but everyone
experiences a unique adjustment process:
Honeymoon Period or Initial Euphoria:
Initially, you will probably be fascinated and
excited by everything new. Students are at
first elated to be in a new culture; after all,
you have prepared for and anticipated this
experience for several months or years.
This stage can last from two weeks to two
months, but it will inevitably end.
Irritability and Hostility: You may realize
that there are many obstacles to living
in Italy—housing, transportation, food,
language, and new friends all pose
problems that you have never associated
with these aspects of life before. Human
beings often become disoriented without
their familiar cues for acceptable behavior,
and some may even develop various
physical ailments such as weight loss/
gain or fatigue. Students in this period
sometimes withdraw from the new culture
rather than immersing themselves in it,
-38-
Marist-LdM Pre-Departure Handbook
and they may become more judgmental of
others than usual.
Initial Adjustment: As you begin to better
interpret some of the cultural questions
that have been so puzzling, a gradual
adjustment takes place. Students may
still have the urge to isolate themselves or
cling to members of their own cultures, but
things will seem less intimidating and more
comfortable.
Adaptation: You will enter the adaptation
period when you are able to handle
any differences encountered with
understanding, and when you are at
ease with the college and your peers.
Students in this stage find much to enjoy
and relationships can begin to deepen
and mature. There is a willingness to
understand, to embrace, and to creatively
interact with the new culture.
sometimes surface. Most students realize
how much they have changed since leaving
home and wonder if it is possible to fit in
with their home culture. They will once
again be leaving friends and what has
become a safe and familiar environment.
These feelings may be compounded by
changes that have occurred at home during
their absence.
How can you cope with culture shock and
the challenges of adjustment?
9 Identify the symptoms of shock—this
will prevent you from thinking that you
9
9
Return Anxiety: As students near the
completion of their studies and face the
prospect of returning home, anxieties
-39-
are abnormal or that the discomfort is
permanent.
Use the coping mechanisms you have
always used during times of stress—
exercise, music, meditation, etc.
Tackle major stressors head on—if your
language skills are troubling you and
preventing adjustment, work diligently
towards improvement. Avoid the urge
to quit, as this will only amplify your
culture shock and any irritability or
hostility toward the host culture.
Marist-LdM Pre-Departure Handbook
99 Observe how people in your new
environment act in situations that are
confusing to you. Try to understand
what they believe and why they behave
as they do. Avoid judging things as
either right or wrong; regard them as
being simply different. This will help
you throughout the adjustment and
adaptation periods.
99 Set small goals and celebrate when
they are achieved—completing a
successful grocery shopping trip or
participating in class are important
achievements. When you are feeling
frustrated, remind yourself of the
small successes you have had and
continue to work for them.
99 Don't avoid things that make you feel
uncomfortable. The more you face
difficult situations, the easier it will be
to adjust to them.
99 Ask for help! Program staff is always
available to offer suggestions for
coping with culture shock and
adjustment.
99 Create a wide support network as
quickly as you can.
We hope that you will find this advice
helpful during your time in Italy. Remember
no matter your age or the amount of times
you have travelled before, anyone can
experience culture shock. Remember that
as you learn more about Italian culture and
acclimatize yourself to its peculiarities, you
will begin to develop your own personal
set of notes about what constitutes
Italian culture. Be careful of generalizing
and stereotyping; culture is complex and
multifaceted. You will also find that some
Italians and others whom you meet have
specific ideas about your culture, which
may or may not apply to you, and which
you may or may not agree with. Studying
for longer periods in a culture outside
your home culture offers an excellent
opportunity to engage in discussions about
what defines a culture, and to debunk the
stereotypes that abound.
Practical Cultural Hints
Shopping: Shops are very small in Florence.
The window displays give an accurate
picture of the merchandise available,
and the prices are usually listed. This is
to prevent too much foot traffic in such a
small space. It is general practice to enter
a shop only if you are looking to buy, if you
see something in the window that sparks
your interest and is within your price range.
In the other countries, people may be used
to large department stores where they can
try on as much as they like; while there are
larger stores in Italy as well, it is a good
idea to keep this difference in mind. In
Florence, the mall is located outside of the
city center, but is accessible by bus. While
there are supermarkets, most of them are
much smaller than those in the U.S. and you
will not find a “wholesale” type of store.
Most shops specialize in certain types of
products (i.e.: a key store, a jewelry store,
a stationery store). Sometimes it can be
more challenging to find a specific product,
but it can also be fun to see all the different
kinds of shops that are around!
Dining in Florence: Service at restaurants
runs at a slower pace than what you might
be used to. This provides time to relax and
chat with your meal companion. Not all
restaurants accept credit cards –make sure
you have cash! Dinner is also generally later
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Marist-LdM Pre-Departure Handbook
than it is in the United States. Dinner is
usually served beginning around 8pm, with
lunch having been served around 1-2pm.
Some restaurants will accommodate early
diners, but be prepared to eat later than
you may be accustomed to.
Tipping: In Italian restaurants, especially
in Florence, you will be charged a cover
charge known as a coperto or servizio
per person, which usually runs between
€1-2. This will be automatically included
on your bill and covers the tip, as well as
bread. If you wish to leave more, pocket
change is completely acceptable. It is not
necessary to calculate 20% of the bill and
tip accordingly, as done in the U.S. and
other countries. A little extra is of course
appreciated, but large tips are not expected
nor required. Likewise, it is not necessary
to tip bartenders. Tipping taxi drivers is
also not necessary, though a little extra on
top of the fare is generally acceptable.
Pausa: Many businesses close for a few
hours in the afternoon for the Italian
version of siesta called pausa, or ‘pause.’
They typically close around 1pm and reopen between 3:30-4pm. This includes
pharmacies (there are always pharmacies
open 24 hours a day) and clothing stores,
etc. Since Florence is very popular with
tourists, you may even find that some shops
stay open (especially the closer you are to
the center), but don’t assume most stores
will. The farther you are from the center,
especially when you travel to smaller
cities in Italy, the more you will need to
take these closures into consideration.
Businesses tend to stay open until 7 or 8 in
the evening.
Coffee: While in Italy, coffee is certainly an
important part of the culture. Italian coffee
culture differs greatly from the American
“stay all day with your laptop” coffeehouse
culture. Places considered “cafes” in the
U.S. are typically called “bars” in Italy. Bars
offer both coffee and alcoholic beverages,
and are usually frequented during the
day. There is a reason that Italians drink
espresso rather than the large cups of
coffee that Americans tend to prefer:
speed. A coffee break is a brief event: in
and out of the bar in 5-10 minutes, mostly
standing up at the bar counter. In most
bars, there are actually different prices for
those who drink their coffee standing up
and those who prefer table service (table
service enquires a sitting fee). There is
generally a price list on the wall which
indicates both prices. Depending on the
location of the bar, this price difference
can be quite significant. Bars in the center
of Florence (especially those with tables
outside in the main squares) tend to charge
you not just for the coffee, but for the view
as well. A 90 cent coffee can easily become
a €6/7 coffee, so be aware. Ordering a
“caffè” automatically means “espresso.”
If you prefer American style coffee, you
need to specify: “caffè Americano” or
“caffè lungo.” Also, you will be required
to pay immediately after ordering; you will
then be presented a receipt that you must
show to the barista preparing your order to
receive your order.
Dress: While people may of course dress as
they prefer around Florence, keep in mind
that it is easy to stick out as a foreigner
particularly with regards to clothing.
Italians (even college students) tend to
have a more formal way of dressing than
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Marist-LdM Pre-Departure Handbook
is typical of American colleges. Italians do
not attend class in sweatpants. It is unlikely
to see Italians in the streets of Florence
wearing sweatpants or hoodies, either, so
you may want to bring a smaller supply of
these informal clothes to wear at home.
Flip-flops are also not worn in public. Many
churches (especially in Vatican City) do not
allow people to enter unless their legs and
shoulders are covered, even in summer
months, so keep this in mind while travelling.
Many students will have mandatory
museum trips as part of their classes, and
it is important to dress accordingly or else
admission will be denied. There are also
a few events sponsored by Marist and/or
LdM (such as Welcome Aperitivi) where
you may want to have more formal attire
with you. Please note: if you are planning
on wearing heels, keep in mind that streets
in Italy are mostly cobblestone and very
uneven. It is easy to sprain your ankle or
hurt your feet, so be careful!
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Marist-LdM Pre-Departure Handbook5
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Marist-LdM Pre-Departure Handbook
Useful Websites
Information on Italy
http://en.comune.fi.it/index.html
(Italian and English) – Official Website of Florence
http://www.italyguides.it/us/florence/florence_italy.htm
(English) – Virtual tour of Florence
http://www.melindagallo.com/blog/
(English) – Blog American living in Florence
http://www.lifeinitaly.com/
(English) – All you ever wanted to know about life in Italy
http://www.knowital.com/italy/florenceinfo.html
More fast facts
Transportation
www.raileurope.com
(English) – Information on Eurail Passes
www.trenitalia.com
(Italian and English) – The official website of Italy’s train system.
You may check schedules, prices and buy tickets online.
www.aeroporto.firenze.it
(Italian and English) – The web site of the Florence airport.
www.advantagecsny.com
(English) – Advantage Travel
www.ataf.net
(Italian and English) – The official website of the Florence’s bus
company. To check routes, schedules, etc.
http://maps.google.com
Customized directions including walking paths and bus stops are
often included here
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Marist-LdM Pre-Departure Handbook
Accommodation
http://www.hostels.com/
www.hostelworld.com
(English) – Information on how to find/book hostels in Italy and
the rest of the world
Culture & Events
www.firenzeturismo.it
(Italian and English) – The official web site of the Florence’s
tourist office. To check events, museums’ opening times,
restaurants, useful information, etc.
www.boxol.it
(Italian and English) – to check about events, concerts, operas,
etc. in Florence and Tuscany. It is possible to buy tickets online.
www.lega-calcio.it/ita/atim.shtml
The official website of Italian soccer—to check Italian teams’
games, results, dates, etc.
www.lapulce.it
(Italian only) – Classified ads online
http://www.odeonfirenze.com
(English) – The website of the Odeon movie theater in Florence.
Regularly shows movies in their original language, as well as hosts
film festivals. Student can receive a discount when they present
their student IDs.
Language
www.duolingo.com
A free website to help you learn Italian—and any other language
that they offer.
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Marist-LdM Pre-Departure Handbook
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NEWS RELEASE

LKG Syllabus For Final Examination 2013

The First Year Seminar in the New Marist Core

Banner BDMS - Marist College

Gross salary (RAL) in a range of Euro 45.000

Sindem4juniors

Final Conference flyer - Changes

Curriculum Vitae

General Information and Timeline

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