Spring 2013 Pre-departure Orientation NYU Florence
What is NYU Florence? A renowned center for international learning and exchange Each semester roughly 350 NYU and visiting students, freshman to graduate level Courses are taught by outstanding local and visiting scholars 57-acre estate Staff provides a full range of student support services Classes incorporate on-site learning, lectures, performances, and participation in international conferences
What is on campus? Villa Ulivi Academic Support Classrooms Library Villa La Pietra Art Collection Classroom Formal Gardens Graduate Program Immigration Office Villa Sassetti Conference Center La Pietra Dialogues Global Research Initiative Classrooms Villa Natalia Student Life Dormitory Villa Colletta Dormitory Art Classrooms
Who is NYU Florence? Lisa Cesarani Assistant Director for Academic Affairs Ellyn Toscano Executive Director Mary Barbera Assistant Director for Student Life Alexa Farah Programming Coordinator AND MANY OTHERS! Sabrina Melillo Immigration and Facilities Coordinator Academics: florence.academicsupport@nyu.edu, Student Life: florence.studentlife@nyu.edu
What will I study? A wide variety of courses that focus on current European and global issues and Italian history and culture Students register for 12-18 credits Average class size is 16 students All students must study Italian language (cannot be taken pass/fail) All students must enroll in one course from Italian History, Culture, or Society course list Coursework is rigorous; attendance is expected and required; absences will negatively affect grades All course textbooks are available at local bookstores or through campus library
Where will I attend class? On campus, in classrooms or in the historic art collection and gardens of Villa La Pietra In Florence s historic center, exploring museums, churches, theaters, government buildings, and archives All students receive a museum card providing free access to all state museums Outside of Florence, in locations throughout Italy Courses frequently include Friday, Saturday, or Sunday day trips or weekend excursions Plan personal travel only after consulting your syllabi Costs are included in tuition
Where will I study? On Campus Villa Ulivi Library Open Monday through Friday Sunday hours Campus Lounges with Wi-Fi Villa Natalia Villa Sassetti Villa Ulivi Café Computer Labs with Printers Villa Natalia Villa Ulivi Villa Sassetti Off Campus British Institute Library Biblioteca delle Oblate Bibioteca Marucelliana Palazzo Giovane
How do I get involved? Attend lectures and events Volunteer at LPD Participate in community service Teach in schools, lead tours of monuments, assist the elderly and disabled, coach youth sports, participate in city-wide clean ups and food drives, etc. Start a club Creative Writing, Studio Arts, Philosophy, Culinary, Knitting, Running, etc. Participate in student life activities Day trips, cooking lessons, theater and sports events, museum visits, residence life programming
La Pietra Dialogues Convenes some of the world s foremost scholars, policy makers, practitioners, business leaders, public intellectuals and artists to confront critical issues of contemporary society Provides students unique access to distinguished guests on campus through small group meetings, breakfasts, and workshops that promote one-on-one interaction Runs work study and volunteer programs that involve students in the development and organization of events Features student work writing, photography, etc. on the LPD website Get involved and volunteer with LPD : lapietra.dialogues@nyu.edu
Can I work or volunteer? Federal Work Study 20-25 positions available throughout the campus Peer Advisors 8-10 positions Visiting and NYU upperclassmen La Pietra Dialogues 4 Work Study positions Core group of volunteers Community Service Weekly commitments Large-scale events
What s the city like? Dynamic international learning community Capital of Tuscany, most populated city in the region 380,000 Unesco World Heritage Site attracting visitors from all over the world Seat of one of Italy s most prestigious universities Home to the EU s only university and historic archives Founded by the Romans, birthplace of the Renaissance, one-time capital of Italy World class center for fine and performing arts, both historical and contemporary
What do I need to do before I get there? Confirm your spot in the program ($500 reservation fee and Confirmation Form) Read all What s Next posts Obtain or renew your passport ASAP Apply for additional funding Notify NYU Housing in NYC (NYU students only) Register for courses abroad Submit all required forms by November 30th Obtain a student visa round trip flight required to obtain visa
How do I get my visa? Unless you are traveling on an EU passport, all students will need to obtain a student visa Passports must be valid for 3 months beyond the end of the program (August 17 th, 2013) The Italian consulate requires students to submit a visa application supported by enrollment letters from NYU, proof of financial means, affidavits of insurance and financial support, etc. Please reference the Florence Visa Workshop on the Florence blog for an in-depth look at the visa requirements
How do I pay my bill? E-bills ONLY, sent to NYU email address Spring 2013 bills are generated in early/mid December You can authorize a parent or other individual to have access to your E-bill Payment is made directly to the Bursar Estimated Housing Charge will be posted on E-bill and must be paid in full prior to arrival The estimated housing charge is a placeholder charge until assignments are finalized Once housing placements are made, the E- bill is adjusted, resulting in either a credit or a charge, which appears within 2-3 weeks after the start of the program Questions? Visit the NYU Bursar Web-site for details
How will I afford everything? Most students use their credit and debit cards exchange rates are favorable, but contact your bank about fees Figure out how much money you will have Working abroad may not be an option; how much can you save before going? Consider ALL of your expenses Airfare, food, toiletries, medicine, laundry, spring break trips, activities, etc. Checks are not accepted and traveler s checks are difficult and expensive to cash Be aware of the exchange rate and fees for currency conversion http://www.xe.com
What should I pack? Suggested items Back pack for weekend trips and groceries Plug adapters Battery-operated travel alarm clock Any medication you need (and copies of the prescription written in the generic term) Comfortable shoes Camera (with battery charger) Toiletries you love the brands may be different or expensive abroad Leave it home Linens Kitchen utensils Appliances (e.g. hairdryer) Electricity converter they don t work! Contact your airline before you pack to find out luggage restrictions Put passport, immigration documents, medication, and valuables (e.g. laptop, camera) in your CARRY-ON luggage
When do I have to be there? All students except for returning freshman and year long students must arrive on January 29 th and complete check-in Returning freshman and year long students arrive on January 30 th Peer Advisors arrive on Sunday January 20 th Mandatory All Student Orientation held on January 30 th Students must check out of housing by noon on May 17th If you arrive earlier or depart later than program dates, you must find your own accommodations and are responsible for your immigration status. No exceptions!
Arrival and Check-in Check-in is historically 9:00am to 6:00pm (it s best to arrive in the morning) Arrival Cheat Sheet with shuttle times will be available prior to arrival Staff will be at the Florence Airport during shuttle times Transportation from the check-in location to housing is carried out only within official check-in hours Students arriving at other airports, by train, or outside of set times are on their own, including transportation to campus (taxi 20-25) and then to their living situation ( 15-20) cash in Euros only It may be several hours before students will be able to contact family; let family know!
Orientation Orientation activities continue through the weekend Mandatory sessions are on academics, policies, health and safety, and housing Optional sessions include tours of neighborhoods, the campus, and local transportation; an information fair; workshops on community service, work study, advising, LPD, living LGBTQ in Florence, travel; mixers, etc. Activities include City Sightseeing Tours, an Information Fair and more! Classes start on Thursday, Jan. 31st
Where will I live? All students must live in NYU Florence housing Assignments are based on submissions to the Study Away Confirmation Portal and availability Roommate requests are limited to bedrooms Single rooms are limited No smoking except in Homestays designated as smoking Meal plans available in On-Campus housing and Homestays only Actual housing prices are available online and via Study Away Confirmation Portal Housing assignments are sent to students NYU e-mail accounts 2 weeks before check-in Housing is not provided after check-out day
On-Campus Housing Villa Natalia and Villa Colletta 24/7 Gate Security and Reception Bedrooms with en suite (Natalia) or communal (Colletta) bathrooms Meal Plan: breakfast and dinner daily Lunch a la carte on weekdays (not included in the meal plan) Communal refrigerators, sink, microwave Cleaning and linens service (sheets, towels, blankets, pillows provided but bring a towel not white - for travel) Coin-operated laundry machines Exercise room Air-conditioning Computer labs Ethernet in the rooms, Wireless in common areas
Off-Campus Residences Located throughout the city center High-occupancy units House 4-23 students in suites with single, double, triple, and quad bedrooms Shared, fully-equipped kitchens (no meal plan) Shared bathrooms Internet is Ethernet or Wireless and may vary in reliability Cleaning and linens service (sheets, towels, blankets, pillows provided but bring a towel not white - for travel) NYU cell phone in each Residence
Homestays No language requirement to apply Locations vary within and just outside the city center House 1 to 2 students in single and double bedrooms within families homes Family types vary, most have kids Most have Internet (no guarantees) Sheets, blankets, pillows provided, but bring towels! With Meals: breakfast and dinner daily, no kitchen access Without Meals: kitchen access (kitchenware provided) NYU cell phone in each living situation
Who will I live with? Roommates must request to live with one another through Study Away Confirmation Portal Roommates may be NYU or visiting students enrolled in the Florence program Some suites are single-sex while others are coed Coed bedrooms may be available, individual requests will be considered Neighbors (just down the hall or in the building next door) are locals, so be respectful! Overnight guests (even other students) are NOT permitted in any of our housing (guests must leave at 11pm)
What should I do about guests? My mom, dad, brother-in-law, sister, boyfriend, grandmother, stepgrandfather, girlfriend, best friend, cousin, neighborhood is going to visit me They cannot stay with you due to legal restrictions tell them in advance A hotel list is available on the Florence blog or through the Office of Student Life you can stay with your guests in the hotel, if you d like, but hotels will charge Schedule visits around spring break and/or Italian holidays
How will I meet people? Meeting people on campus Arrival week mixers Activities, clubs and events Conferences, concerts, film and lecture series Interaction in classrooms, housing, cafeteria, and café Large-scale community service Meeting people in Florence Homestay housing option DSU, Scambio Dinners, and other immersion activities Community service placements Palazzo Giovane and the Oblate Local associations and clubs (sports, the arts, hobbies, etc.)
How do I get around? Florence is a compact and walkable city It s a 30-minute walk from campus to central Florence The #25 bus stops right next to campus, and it s a 10-15 minute ride to central Florence Taxis can be found throughout the city and are easy to call information will be provided upon arrival Florence has a huge Vespa culture, but resist the urge to rent or buy one you need the proper license, traffic laws are different, and Italians are aggressive drivers
How do I arrange my personal travel? Choose times when you re sure you don t have academic obligations Save the date: Okkupazione - Friday, April 12 th, 2013 Ask faculty, staff, friends and family for suggestions Attend the Travel session during orientation Do some research online and in the library Most students travel by train or discount airline Hostels are inexpensive, but read reviews to ensure they re safe and clean before booking
What if I get sick? Crisis response available 24/7 the Office of Student Life is there to help Italy s healthcare system is ranked #2 in the world (W.H.O) you re in good hands All students are enrolled in HTH, an international health coverage plan Free of charge for students No advance out-of-pocket payment for students to see a doctor or counselor Credentialed, English-speaking health professionals available to students Remember to register with HTH when you receive the email from them Doctors and mental health professionals are also available on campus for free DO NOT cancel your domestic health insurance while you are abroad!
What about my ongoing medical needs? Students with special needs, academic or otherwise, must contact the Moses Center prior to departure; resources and services may differ abroad www.nyu.edu/osl/csd Students with disabilities that affect courses or housing and require special arrangements should also inform staff If you take prescriptions regularly, bring a full supply (especially ADHD meds, which are not available to adults) DO NOT SHIP ANY MEDICATIONS, FOOD, OR TOILETRIES FROM OUTSIDE THE EU Arrange ongoing counseling and any specialists needed in advance through the Wellness Exchange or the Office of Student Life (alexa.farah@nyu.edu)
Will I feel safe? NYU s campus is monitored by security guards 24/7 There is ALWAYS a NYU staff member on duty the emergency number will be provided at orientation Emergencies in Europe (911 equivalent): 112 The most common issues are petty theft and harassment Help us keep you safe by following staff recommendations: Don t invite new acquaintances to your living situation Keep belongings secure at all times Ignore/report unwanted attention Look out for one another Stay aware Don t leave your street smarts at home!
How will I stay in touch with people? Set-up video chat accounts for yourself and for your family Purchase a local cell phone and SIM card Unlock your smart phone and purchase new SIM card onsite Create a communication plan Are you going to talk daily, weekly, or say see you next semester? Be sure to check your NYU e-mail regularly Share your personal cell phone number with the Office of Student Life as soon as you have it
Preparing to Live in a New City You might find yourself getting a bit anxious as you get closer to the date of your departure. It s natural to be nervous before moving to new surroundings. Some steps you can take to prepare can be found at: www.nyu.edu/global/culturaladjustment 1 View the What is Culture Webinar 2 Plan how you will Reflect on the Experience before arrival, during, and after you return Blogging Facebook Personal Journal 3 Research the culture you will experience by logging into GlobeSmart : GlobeSmart is a web based cultural awareness training tool which provides quick and easy access to extensive knowledge on how to engage effectively with people from countries around the world.
NYU Florence: Final Recommendations Prioritize Prepare Academics come first Plan to get involved Know and plan for your medical needs mental, physical, and insurance Plan for banking/financial needs take exchange rates into account Learn some Italian Research, read, and follow the What s Next blog Questions? Academics: florence.academicsupport@nyu.edu Student Life: florence.studentlife@nyu.edu
Grazie!