01. How do I contact SAI? Can I speak with a representative before the student departs for Italy?
Please contact us at the following address:

Study Abroad Italy
7151 Wilton Avenue, Suite 202, Sebastopol, CA. 95472 USA.  
Tel: 1-800-655-8965
www.studyabroad-italy.com
mail@studyabroad-italy.com

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02. What study abroad programs do you offer? Why is study abroad valuable?
Study Abroad Italy (SAI) is pleased to offer undergraduate students semester programs (fall or spring), summer programs (June or July), and intersession programs in four distinct Italian locations: Florence, Rome, Sicily and Milan. At our Milan School, SAI is able to offer graduate programs. For information, see our program pages.

In our increasingly interconnected world, Italy is an ideal place to study.

As the center of the Mediterranean, Italy has riches that are as powerful a lure to scholars today as they have been for millennia. SAI takes advantage of that wealth by offering its modern study abroad programs in four historical cities spanning the Italian Peninsula and the island of Sicily: Milan, Florence, Rome and Sicily. Each of our program sites is unique. Rome is the capital of Italy, and the repository of the art and architecture of the Roman empire; Florence is the cultural birthplace of the Italian Renaissance; and Milan is the bustling center of Italian commerce and fashion. The Sicilian city of Syracuse, at the opposite end of Italy, was the center of Greek Italy and boasts a wealth of archaeological and architectural remains, ranging from Classical to Baroque and from Gothic to Arabesque, reflecting the overlapping historical narratives of all Italy.

Our host schools in Rome, Florence and Sicily all offer a liberal arts education with specializations in either business (Rome), art (Florence) or classical studies (Sicily). Our Milan programs focus on the study of contemporary design.

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03. How much will a study abroad program cost?

Florence Programs
Apicius International School of Hospitality
Florence University of the Arts

Milan Programs
Domus Academy
Nuova Accedemia de Belle Arti (NABA)

Rome Program
John Cabot University

Sicily Program
Mediterranean Center for Arts and Sciences

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04. How long is a study abroad program?
Our programs run for the following periods: Semester programs (fall or spring, 15 weeks); Summer programs (June or July, 4-5 weeks); Intersession programs (2-3 weeks, January); Masters programs (Milan only, 11 -13 months).

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05. Will all grades/credits be accepted by the home university?
Students enrolled in SAI Programs from affiliated universities will receive US credit for courses from their home university. All SAI students enrolling from non-affiliated universities will receive US course credit from Fairfield University in Connecticut. Study Abroad Italy will automatically process non-affiliate students through Fairfield University with no additional fee.

Our programs in Milan, Florence and Sicily are accredited by Fairfield University in Connecticut. Students attending the SAI Rome program at John Cabot University (JCU) will receive US credit directly from JCU, since JCU is a US accredited university.

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06. What documents are needed to travel abroad?
A passport with a validity that exceeds intended stay by at least 3 months and a student visa.
All students must obtain a student visa.

Upon acceptance, SAI will send the application procedures for your the student visa. It is very important this process be started as soon as they are enrolled in the program, as the procedure will take time. For some Italian Consulates, SAI is able to handle the visa processing for you, and the fee for this service can be in the on the costs pages.

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07. Who is responsible for making travel arrangements?
All students are responsible for booking their own airline tickets.

While each student is responsible for his or her own travel arrangements, Study Abroad Italy has made arrangements with Waldorf Travel of California to offer Florence University of the Arts (FUA) students the lowest available student-priced airline tickets. We encourage students to book their flights WELL IN ADVANCE (at least 90 days prior to departure) and to make sure to notify the travel agent that they are a Study Abroad Italy student attending FUA. Please note that the number of student-priced tickets is limited. Contact Waldorf Travel as soon as possible to make arrangements.

We suggest that students arrive in Italy with €200.00 to pay for taxis, trains, food and other immediate needs. Students must submit a Student Arrival Information sheet before departure. 

For airline ticketing contact:

Waldorf Travel
5316 SE Sherman St.
Portland OR 97215
TEL: 800-328-7266 - TOLL FREE
TEL: 503-233-4053
FAX: 503-232-7224

E-mail: info@waldorftravel.com

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08. Is there airport pick up? Are the students given an orientation?
All SAI students arriving at the designated airport for each program during the official check-in dates will be met by an SAI representative who will coordinate shuttle transfer to the school for program check-in, apartment check-in and cell phone pick-up. After check-in, students and their baggage will be taken directly to their apartment. This service is at no cost to the student, but is covered by program cost. Airport drop-off is not included, but can be offered.

During the SAI on-site program coordinator organizes a series of meetings and events which are designed to provide students with a thorough orientation of the city and surrounding area, and a full explanation of the academic program, including an introduction to the faculty and staff. By the end of orientation, students will have a clear understanding of their new environment and feel confident moving about the city independently.

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09. What are the housing options?
SAI, with our rental agency partners, offers all applicants shared student apartments in Italy, though students are free to arrange their own accommodations. Each student shared apartment is equipped with the following: basic kitchen supplies; furnishings; one set of sheets per student; washing machine and iron.

Study Abroad Italy aims to create a comfortable living environment for each student by providing safe, well maintained student-level housing in quality apartments. Our staff will be on hand to greet and help orient students, and will remain available throughout the school term to answer questions and help with maintenance needs that may arise.

Home stay options may be available at some school locations; contact us for information.

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10. What will the food be like? Where do the students eat?
The cuisine in Italy is world famous.

As all apartments are equipped with their own kitchens, it is possible for students to prepare all of their own meals at home. It is possible, however, for students to pre-purchase a meal plan for the duration of the semester in Florence and Rome.

Prices for the meal plan are available on request.

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11. What is Italy like? Is it safe?
Italy poses no special threat to visitors in either health or safety. It is perfectly safe to drink water from a faucet and to eat at any restaurant. Pickpockets are a menace, especially in crowds, on buses, and near the train station. Fanny packs and purses are easy targets for thieves. Women traveling alone will draw attention from Lothario-types, and walking alone after dark should be avoided (take a taxi).

The best series of guide books for Italy is the Blue Guide series. In addition to maps, these guides will provide you with cultural and historical information as well as suggestions for restaurants and hotels. Blue guides are published for Southern Italy, Northern Italy (including Milan), Florence, Rome and Sicily.

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12. How much does it cost to live in Italy?
The cost of living in Italy is similar to that in the U.S. In Italy, a cappuccino costs about $1.50 and fruits and vegetables are perhaps a little less expensive than in the States, especially if you buy them at the open market. Telephones, on the other hand, are more expensive in Italy, as is energy in general (gas, electricity, gasoline), so things tend to even out. If you cook in your own house, you can live relatively cheaply. Italian consulates expect you to have about $1,000 - $1,200 per month for your stay in Italy, and this is a good estimate of the basic living cost.

Of our different locations, Milan is perhaps the most expensive city and Syracuse (in Sicily) the lowest, in terms of the general cost of living.

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13. How much spending money is needed?

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14. How should the student handle money while abroad?
We suggest that students arrive with enough traveler's checks to pay for initial costs (essential food items, books and supplies, etc.). After that it may be best for students to use an ATM card to withdraw money from their US account as needed. ATM cards are probably the easiest way to handle money; there are plenty of compatible ATMs in Italy. Students should check to ensure that their PIN number is valid in Europe.

Students should try to keep 150 euro in cash on them at all times in case of possible emergencies. There are three basic ways of obtaining euros in Italy: traveler’s checks, ATMs and credit cards. Traveler's checks in U.S. dollars are widely accepted. In Europe, US traveler's checks often get a better exchange rate than plain cash. American Express traveler's checks can be cashed anywhere. Visa and MasterCard are universally accepted; American Express and Diners Club less so; Discover not at all. The exchange rate is good, and there are no transaction fees. Using a credit card at ATMs for a cash advance will work with a valid PIN number. It is also possible to request a cash advance with a credit card at any bank.

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15. Is there an insurance policy?
Study Abroad Italy automatically provides all students with an HTH Worldwide Insurance "Health Select Overseas Policy". Prior to your departure, you will receive an email explanation of benefits, as well as instructions on how to print your ID card from HTH and an "HTH (UNICARE) Authorization Form". This form must be completed, signed and returned to the Study Abroad Italy Office as soon as possible prior to departure.

All policy costs and charges for this policy are included in our general program cost.

For policy information see:

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16. Are there counseling and support services available?
SAI provides all students with access to a US trained and certified counselor. SAI also has an on-site program coordinator based at the host institution in Italy.

See our staff pages for details.

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17. What happens in the event of illness?
All of our host schools deal with a local English speaking doctor, and will refer students to that doctor if needed. In the event of a more serious case, our on-site SAI Staff will accompany the student to the local hospital.

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18. What if something goes wrong? Will SAI contact me?
In the event of any serious or life threatening issue, SAI will contact you directly.

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19. Is there a dedicated student advisor in Italy?
Every SAI program has a dedicated admissions officer based at our California office offering a full admissions service, and an on-site program coordinator based at the host institution in Italy.

All of our on-site Italy staff are fluent in Italian, have lived or studied in the city in which they work and are trained by the Italy Program Director and US staff. In times of emergency, parents may reach a member of the SAI Italy staff (24 hours a day) by dialing the number of the Program Coordinator in the appropriate city.

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20. How can we keep in touch with the student while they are abroad?
Study Abroad Italy provides all students with rental cell phones free of charge for the duration of their stay in Italy. No charges are made for incoming calls and text messaging received while in Italy. If a student opts to use the cell phone to make outgoing calls and/or text messages, relevant charges will be billed on a call by call basis.

For registration and billing information see: http://www.studentcells.com

All mail should be sent to the school address.

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21. Is there anyone we can contact in an emergency?
In times of emergency, parents may reach a member of the SAI Italy staff, 24 hours a day, by dialing the number of the Program Coordinator in the appropriate city.

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22. Can I visit? Can you help me to arrange a visit?
You are welcome to visit; please contact us for travel and hotel advice.

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23. Does SAI offer any programs for adults? Can I “study abroad”?
Yes, SAI offers a number of short term programs in Italy for students of all ages and interests. For information see our adult programs page.

Closer to home, the VIVA institute (run by Study Abroad Italy) can offer a number of short term or weekend programs on Italian history, language, culture and cuisine.

On request, VIVA also offers optional pre-departure weekend orientation programs in Sebastopol for students and parents throughout the year.

VIVA is located in Sebastopol, California, just 55 miles north of San Francisco in the heart of Sonoma County.

7160 Keating Avenue, Sebastopol, CA 95472
tel: 707.824.9913 or 800.655.8965
fax: 707.824.2285
viva@studyabroaditaly.com

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