RESOURCES AND MATERIALS

Upon acceptance, you will receive a handbook. Please read it carefully. You can also learn more about Italy through the following sources:

• http://www.studentsabroad.com/italy/
• Dept. of State Background Notes on Italy

PASSPORTS AND VISAS

• All students must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after the end of the program. Applications are available at the post office or at http://travel.state.gov/. Make copies or scans of your passport.
• The Italian Consulate prefers that TCU act on behalf of students in applying for visas, but you may choose to act on your own behalf. TCU has no control over how the Italian Consulate works or whether they will grant you the visa.
• If you choose to have TCU apply on your behalf, you will be given the necessary visa paperwork to submit at orientation. (Italian Student Visa Application Form, Passport Parent letter of support (notarized), 1 passport picture.)
• You must submit your passport in order to obtain a visa. The visa is stamped inside the passport and can take 2 – 5 weeks. You should not plan to travel internationally during this process. If you decide to travel abroad during the period in question, you must apply for a visa on your own.

BEFORE DEPARTURE

• You will be required to attend a mandatory pre-departure orientation at TCU and again upon arrival in Florence. You will also receive handbooks from TCU Study Abroad and ACCENT International, our logistical provider in Florence.

• Submit your flight itinerary to the Center for Intl. Studies. Some discount travel agencies include:
  • http://www.statravel.com/  
  • http://www.studentuniverse.com  
  • http://www.sidestep.com   
  • www.cheapflights.com
• If you live in TCU campus housing, inform Residential Services that you will be studying abroad.
• Consider purchasing the International Student Identity Card, available for purchase at the TCU ID Center or the Trip Plus card.
• If you will need academic accommodations while abroad, contact the Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities at TCU. TCU cannot guarantee academic accommodations, but will assist as needed. All documentation must be completed prior to departure.
• Forward your TCU mail home.
• Forward your TCU email to any other account you may use while abroad.
• Make copies of bank cards and credit cards to keep in a secure location. Make an emergency plan for lost or stolen cards.  Consider giving parents power of attorney to act on your behalf.  
• TCU recommends purchasingtravel insurance and personal property insurance.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

• Read health and safety information your program handbook, the State Dept: www.state.gov, and the CDC: www.cdc.gov.
• See a doctor and dentist for general check-ups and to discuss travel-related health issues.
• Request prescriptions for your time away.
• Call SOS (215-942-8226) at any time prior to departure or while abroad for health and safety questions. 
• TCU enrolls study abroad and travel abroad participants in Consolidated Health Plan medical insurance, providing coverage during the dates of the program abroad.  Please be aware that students will need to obtain their own coverage before and after program dates.  Review summary of benefits for full benefits and exclusions. 

ARRIVAL AND ON-SITE INFORMATION

• Plan to arrive between 9am - 5pm in Florence (dates specific to the semester).
• Proceed to the Hotel Medici (www.hotelmedici.it) upon arrival and receive further instructions from ACCENT, our program provider in Florence.
• The following day ACCENT staff will provide an onsite orientation, walking tour of the city, and direct you to your apartment.
• At the onsite orientation, submit the completed Italian Police Packet to obtain a “permesso di soggiorno.” The permesso, which includes Italian health insurance, is required to stay in Italy for the semester.
• Because you are not enrolled in TCU classes, you will not be on the TCU system. Please be understanding if snags arise when trying to change email password, register for classes, etc. Please contact the study abroad office for advice if necessary.
• Your classes will not transfer back to TCU until 8 – 10 weeks after the semester ends. This may appear to impact your financial aid (aid will be reinstated after grades are posted).