American School of Milan New Teacher Orientation Guide

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1 Living in Milan Housing Finding inexpensive and suitable housing in Milan is very difficult. For this reason, ASM makes every attempt to reserve apartments for new staff. Most apartments on the open market require a three-month deposit and three months of rent in advance. This deposit is covered in part by the school for schoolsponsored apartments. Most of the apartments for rent are furnished and we highly recommend this solution, as unfurnished in Italy may mean installing a new kitchen and bathroom fixtures. Furnished apartments generally include beds, dishes, and silverware, but not towels and sheets. Make sure that you bring at least one set of towels and sheets with you in your accompanied baggage. While ASM provides assistance to teachers for finding and renting apartments, the rental agreement is between the teacher and his/her individual landlord. ASM is not a rental agency and is not in a position to act as such. While generally satisfactory, furnishings vary considerably from apartment to apartment and may not always be of the standard U.S. residents are accustomed to. Furnishings are generally functional, but by no means luxurious. Note further that it is not customary in Italy for landlords to be responsible for day-to-day upkeep of rental properties. Minor repairs are the responsibility of the renter. The school does not have the resources to take care of apartment upkeep and repairs. This is the responsibility of the renter. Telephones Apartments are not furnished with telephones. The deposit required for a new contract with the telephone company is approximately Euro 200. For this reason, many new members of our community prefer to purchase cellular phones. Cellular phones are readily available on the local market for $100-$250. These phones allow you to make and to receive international calls. International calling cards offer discount rates and are readily available at newspaper stands and tobacconists in the city.

2 Money You should bring from the U.S. $1,500 to meet settling-in expenses prior to your first payment which will be around September 25th. Personal funds may be in the form of travelers checks. You can exchange cash dollars easily at any bank based on the daily rate. Alternatively, you may withdraw Euros from many local ATM machines with your U.S. credit card or debit card. This option is often the most convenient and economical means of accessing your funds in the U.S. Check with your U.S. bank for details about international ATM fees and charges before you leave. Money transfers from a U.S. bank to Italy are also possible. However, they can be lengthy, complicated, and expensive. Most teachers choose to open an account at one of the two school banks, Banca Intesa/San Paolo or Unictedit Bank, and automatic salary transfers can be made into your account once your local residency is established. Utility and phone bills may also be paid through the bank or at the post office. Many teachers prefer to keep a U.S. credit card to make on-line reservations for hotels and airline tickets. You may want to keep your U.S. checking account open and access it via on-line banking. Foreign residents in Italy may send legally up to 80% of their salary to the U.S. yearly. This can be arranged via our local bank. Note that all ASM employees are paid in Euros and the exchange rate for dollars fluctuates in accordance with changes in the world financial market. This means that your salary gain or lose its dollar value during the course of your stay. Currency fluctuations are not likely to affect your standard of living in Italy, but could theoretically make Euro to dollar conversations less advantageous. Currently, however, the Euro is very strong as compared to the dollar. As a U.S. citizen, you will be exempt from Italian income tax for your first two years, and you will not have to pay U.S. federal taxes (unless your income exceeds U.S. $86,000); however, you will still need to file in the U.S., so remember to bring your necessary U.S. income tax records. The U.S. consulate will have the necessary forms when the time comes. They are also available on-line. You will continue to pay U.S. social security and Medicare taxes. Deductions for U.S. citizens in their first two years of employment total approximately 10-12%. Make sure that you also inform your current employer of your new address so that you receive all needed tax forms.

3 A sample monthly budget for both a single and couple is below: Single Couple Rent , Condo fees (heat) Electricity Food /Household Garbage fee Cars Many teachers feel that a car is necessary, even though the system of public transportation is excellent. There is a very good used car market in Italy, and a decent car may be purchased for a reasonable sum. (Approximately US $2,000-4,000). An International Driver s license should be obtained through your local AAA before your departure from the U.S.. The school deals with a reputable insurance agent who speaks English and who will make all the necessary arrangements for you. Car transfer fee Insurance Gas is expensive , per year (depending on car) 1.90 per liter. Approximately $7.50 per gallon!! Medical Coverage Upon registration of a valid visa and attaining resident status, you will be eligible for Italian Medical Services in European Union countries only. ASM provides major medical coverage from August 21 until the Italian Comprehensive national plan is valid. When your national medical insurance is in place, you will then be assigned to a general practitioner. The GP refers you to a specialist in case of serious illness. More detailed information regarding procedures will be available during Orientation. Italian medical coverage is good and you should anticipate no problems. Medicines are covered only in part by the national insurance plan. Certain new treatments (e.g. insulin pumps) are not covered by the national health service. Note that there may be long waits

4 (sometime two-three months) for appointments with specialists. covered. Dental care and eye care are not It may be a good idea to have dental check-up at home with your own dentist before coming to Milan. This would avoid the difficulty and expense of searching for a new dentist. The same holds true for optical care, and it is advisable to bring a spare prescription. Eye glasses and contact lenses may be cheaper in the U.S. If you require prescription medicine, you should bring a sufficient supply with you until you find out the generic name of your medicine and can consult with your new doctor. This medicine should come with you and not be included in your shipment. Orientation ASM is justly proud of its Orientation program for new teachers. You can expect to receive s with useful information from team members, mentors, and members of the Orientation Committee before your arrival. After you arrive in Milan several days are dedicated just to our new staff members and sessions are scheduled with banking officials, business office personnel, and teaching team members. Excursions in and around Milan and survival lessons in Italian are also part of the program. The Orientation Committee arranges trips to supermarkets, telephone stores, discount furniture stores, etc. However, Orientation does not start or stop with these organized activities, and concern and care in the adjustment and post-adjustment period is always available. If you have any questions that you feel are particular to your situation, or if you just need reassurance about something, please do not hesitate to ask for assistance. The members of your Learning Unit are an invaluable source of information and support. Moreover, ASM began a new mentor program in Each new faculty member is assigned to a veteran teacher who becomes a source of information and support both for school- related topics and for life in Milan. Television

5 The TV system in Italy is PAL. Televisions from North America are not compatible. Most TV is in Italian, with the exception of some US news broadcasting in English (Fox News) in the early morning hours (2:00-6:00 a.m.). Satellite dishes are quite common, however, and a simple one can be purchased for approximately Euro CNN, CNBC, BBC, and Fox News are available by satellite TV. If you wish to watch videos taped in the U.S., you will need an American TV and VCR, which will not, however, pick up local television stations. Another possibility is buying a VCR in Italy which will play both PAL (Italian) and NTSC (U.S) videos. DVDs purchased in the U.S. require an American DVD reader. If you have questions about electronics, please contact the school for more information. Home videos are popular in Milan, and current films may be rented in English from international chains such as Blockbuster. Dress The Milanese take a back seat to no one in terms of elegance. Milan rivals Paris as a world fashion center, as the stores and people attest. At ASM, casual, neat, and functional clothing is the preferred attire for staff members. It is necessary to strike an appropriate balance between professional dress and the specific nature of your work, e.g. teachers who work with small children will adopt a style of dress which will allow then to interact appropriately in the classroom and on the playground. In school men generally wear ties. Jeans are discouraged. Mail Most teachers receive mail at school at the address noted below: American School of Milan Via C. Marx, 14 Villaggio Mirasole Opera Milano - Italy