Florence Pre-departure information
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:
AT PRE-DEPARTURE ORIENTATION
- Submit the Credit Approval Form with the help of your academic advisor, department chair, dean, and the Financial Aid office if yo have not already done so. Be sure you understand how your courses will be counted at TCU.
- Complete and return all necessary forms to the Center for International Studies (Rickel Building, Suite 246), including the Indemnity Forms, and the ACCENT enrollment forms.
- Staple 5 passport photos to the ACCENT forms and submit 1 additional photo. (Consider getting a full sheet of passport photos, as you will need more for your visa and other IDs. Check CVS and Walgreens for pricing).
- You will receive an Italian Police packet to complete and submit in Italy. Complete these forms and carry them with you for arrival in Italy.
PASSPORTS AND VISAS
- All students must have a valid passport. 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
- 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
- American Airlines also offers a 10% discount on international travel for study abroad students. More information about this discount will be available at the orientation.
- 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.
- Each student must show proof of health insurance before traveling to Florence.
- Verify your insurance coverage for out-of-country claims prior to departure.
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).