sis pre-departure: part 2

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Pre-‐departure Informa:on. Part 2: Slide 1 -‐ What to Pack Slide 2 -‐ For those at Home Slide 3 -‐ Health Insurance & Healthcare in Siena Slide 4 -‐ Health: Prescrip%on Medicines Slide 5 -‐ Health: Special Note: Adderall, Similar Drugs Slide 6 -‐ Communica%ng with Home Slide 7 -‐ Permit of Stay

Siena Italian Studies Engage with the world. Study Abroad.

Siena Italian Studies Program

What to Pack and What NOT to Pack: Review your airline’s luggage policies and weight restric:ons.

•Don’t Overpack: Remember you will have more when you leave Italy!

Be sure to bring: •Bathing suit •Good walking shoes/sneakers •Pocket size English/Italian Dic:onary •One more formal ouJit •A smaller ‘day-‐pack’ for short trips •Bring layers for cooler days/evenings. A coat would be a good idea!

What NOT to Pack: •Expensive jewellery •Hair dryers, straighteners, etc. – They oSen break, even with adaptors. •Nothing you can’t bear to lose •A large amount of cash

1. Packing Tips


2. For those at Home

Please leave the following informa%on with family at home: • Copy of passport

• Credit/Debit card informa:on/ phone number to call in case of loss or theS

• SIS contact email to contact us in case of flight schedule change

• Alert them that the first days will be very busy so not to expect frequent contact right away.

• Ask family and friends to Like the Siena Italian Studies Facebook page [www.facebook.com/sienaitalianstudies] -‐we will post updates on that page.

http://www.facebook.com/sienaitalianstudies%5D


3. Health While Abroad

Health Insurance: •All SIS Program par:cipant must have health insurance coverage. •Check with your provider for extent of coverage while overseas and carry info with you •Some students purchase addi:onal coverage while studying abroad. •The following op:on is an example •HTH Worldwide Insurance -‐ www.hthworldwide.com

Doctor Visits while in Siena: •SIS can arrange for a private doctor visit upon request. The fee is 50 euros to be paid at the :me of the visit. Students can ask for a reimbursement to insurance companies later. •In an emergency, Siena has an excellent hospital that students may visit if necessary. •SIS Staff members will assist students in the even of a medical emergency.

http://www.hthworldwide.com


4. Health: Prescrip:on Medicines

Note on Prescrip%on Medicines: •Prescrip:on medicines can be brought if they are in original packaging, clearly labeled with copy of doctor’s prescrip:on and a note. •Students should pack:

•Prescrip:on medicines for the dura:on of stay •Extra eyeglasses, contact lenses •Small first aid kit: neosporin, preferred over the counter painkiller, an:-‐diarrhea meds •Sunblock

•Italian pharmacies carry many similar over the counter medicines.

**The drug Adderall (and other similar drugs used by people to treat ADHD) is not available in Italy and is considered a narco:c. Please see next slide for special instruc:ons regarding impor:ng this type of drug.


5. Special Note: Adderall and similar medicines

In order to bring the Adderall (or similar meds) into Italy the student must follow the recommenda:ons of The Italian Customs Agency below: You need a signed and stamped note from your doctor (on lekerhead) that states in English that:

1.The medicine is not “stupefacente”, in English stupefacient, which means “a narco:c” 2.The pa:ent is carrying X amount of the medicine (boxes, grams, etc) to last X amount of months. The note must state that this medicine is necessary for your health, and that you cannot go without it during your stay in Italy. Also state that the medicine cannot be found in Italy, which is why you must bring it with you.

3.The Italian Customs Agency says to make sure that the medicine is in its original packing. They suggest puong it in a suitcase, rather than a carry-‐on. This way, you will avoid going through customs at the first point of entry into the European Union (Paris, Frankfurt, etc) and can just deal with customs in Italy.

4.They further suggest that when you get off the plane in Italy and aSer you collect the bags, you should go to the customs office to declare the medicine and the doctor’s note. If you do not declare this immediately, you risk being stopped in the exit hall on your way out of the airport. According to the Italian Customs Agency, bringing meds into the country and NOT declaring them is illegal.


6. Communica:ng with Home

Thanks to technology, staying in touch is easier than ever!

Cell Phones: Op:ons 1) Purchase a pre-‐paid cell phone in Siena. No contract or monthly fee is

necessary – one “recharges” once money runs out. 2) Use US cell phone with Italian SIM card. Ensure your phone uses a SIM card

and is unlocked.

There is no cost to receive calls on an Italian cell phone. To call Italy from the U.S., you must dial: 011+ 39+ the number 011 – the interna%onal access code 39 – the country code for Italy To call the U.S. from Italy, you must dial: 001 + the area code + the number

Internet: SIS provides access to free wi-‐fi. On weekends, students may visit internet cafes that offer wi-‐fi. Some host families have wi-‐fi at home, but not all. Some students purchase USB internet modems while in Italy – this provides mobile internet access. **Many students u:lize Skype to keep in touch with family or friends.


7. Permit of Stay

All students who had to obtain a student visa to enter Italy must apply for a Permit of Stay. SIS will assist you with the procedure as long as you do the following:

1. If you already have your student visa and your flight i:nerary, please fill out the form at this link: hkps://sienaitalianstudies.wufoo.com/forms/permit-‐of-‐stay-‐form/ (you will need scanned copies of your passport personal data page, and student visa)

Sample personal data page Sample Italy visa

https://sienaitalianstudies.wufoo.com/forms/permit-of-stay-form/


7. Permit of Stay

All students who had to obtain a student visa to enter Italy must apply for a Permit of Stay. SIS will assist you with the procedure as long as you do the following:

2. Bring originals and copies of these to submit with your applica:on: ✓ Copy of en:re passport (page per page). ✓ All documents the Italian consulate sent you back with your visa.

✓ Visa/admission leker from SIS, stamped by the Italian consulate. ✓ 4 passport pictures ✓ Health Insurance informa:on

**Make sure to bring all the documents listed above with you to Siena to avoid problems and or delays with your permit of stay. SIS is NOT responsible for denied applica%ons!

For ques:ons, please contact us at [email protected]

sis pre-departure: part 2

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