Student Handbook 2020-2021

STUDENT HANDBOOK 2020-2021

ECU TUSCANY STUDY ABROAD 1 WELCOME TO OUR PROGRAM!!!

I am as excited as you are and truly looking forward to spending this time with you in Italy. The Mayor and City Coun- cil of Certaldo have welcomed us with generous support and encouragement, providing our classroom facility in the beautiful medieval village of Certaldo Alto. The citizens of Certaldo Alto will host us in their lovely, classic lodgings and restaurants, allowing us to study in this model environment. With idyllic views of medieval buildings, vineyards, olive groves and the Chianti hillsides, you will immerse yourself in the Italian culture along with intensive challenging course work. This handbook has been created to help you better prepare for your semester abroad. Please, read it carefully and follow the suggestions regarding all paperwork requirements, packing, travel and money matters. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. Please also share the following pages with your parents. As Director, I and your other faculty will be housed close to our school and student apartments. While you are with us on this venture we have multiple staff available for consultation and assistance, 24/7. Participating students are expected to conduct themselves as guests in Italy, realizing that cultural practices will be different from what they are used to in the States.The Director has the authority to dismiss a student from the program if the student discredits the program or endangers any of its other participants.

Students need to be aware of the following conditions from this point forward:

a. No loud noises, parties, or disruptions at night in the lodgings (after 10 pm) b. Curfew—quiet return to all lodgings by 1:00 am is appreciated. c. No unauthorized guests in the lodgings. Respectfully keep lodgings clean and neat. d. No illegal drugs permitted anywhere while on the program. Discovery of illegal drugs or drug intoxication will result in immediate suspension and dismissal. e. If students leaves the residence for any weekend or overnight trip, a signed statement of destination and length of absence must be left with the Director. f. Intoxication due to alcohol abuse is a reason for dismissal. Complaints from others in our group or 04 Arrival Information from local residents regarding disorderly conduct or alcohol abuse will result in immediate suspension 05 Contact Info in Certaldo and dismissal from the program. 06 Passports and Documents g. Students dismissed will travel back to the States at their own expense and will lose all fees previously paid into the program. 07 Money and Credit Cards 08 Phone, Internet and Computer We have never had a student dismissed so I do not anticipate any problems. It is simply important that you understand the behavior we expect of our students. Thank you in advance for all that I know you will do to create positive 09 Special Things to Bring feelings about American students and our ECU Tuscany program! 10 Mail In Italy I look forward to getting to know you in Italy! I promise to do everything I can to make this an unforgettable experi- 11 Buying Groceries ence and the very best semester ever! 12 Class Supplies Buon Viaggio!!! 13 Travel While in Certaldo 14 Places to Stay for Guests 15 Apartments in Certaldo 16 Hostel/Hotel Contact Info 17 Packing and Luggage Suggestions Linda Darty 20 Health Insurance while in Italy Program Director 21 Emergency Management Abroad 23 Covid-19 Preparedness & Conditions

2 ECU TUSCANY STUDY ABROAD ECU TUSCANY STUDY ABROAD 3 Flight Arrival Information Important Addresses and Phone Numbers

If you arrive near the suggested ar- Pirate logo wear! If you do not im- port. If that is the case, we will need Please program the phone num- Please note: In case of emergency rival time, we will be at the airport to mediately see us, stay in the general to arrange a meeting time. The group bers & addresses on these pages If you wish to call a number in Italy please contact the following meet you with transportation service area. DO NOT GO OUTSIDE OR will depart from the airport together into your phones prior to leaving from the US or other countries you personel in this order: to our first lodgings. LEAVE THE AIRPORT. for our first lodgings in Italy. home and remember to leave a must first enter the Italian country copy with your parents and other code:39. Linda Darty, Director Get off of your plane, pick up your If for some reason your plane is If your luggage is lost US contacts. 39 340 858 3833 luggage, follow the crowd OUT the delayed and very late or you miss a You will need to have the addresses To call the same number from within exit (Uscita) then look for ECU staff connection or have weather issues below to give to the information desk Also keep all information on pa- Italy on an Italian phone, you may Stuart Watson, Assistant Director and their ECU signage. One or more etc., follow these procedures: at the airport! Write them down or per and in your wallet at all times leave off the +39 prefix. 39 347 372 6493 of our staff will be in the airport program them into your phone. for contacting us in case you need expecting you. We know what flights 1. First try to contact assistance! If you call the United States from Italy, Lucy Clark, Student Coordinator you are on and we will track all of Director Linda Darty Hotel website if our first Remember you could on an Italian phone you must enter 39 392 042 7200 them. at [email protected] or night is in Orvieto lose your phone! US code 001 before the area code and number that you’re calling. assistant director Stuart Watson www.grandhotelitalia.it Francesca Maddalena Afer picking up luggage, when at [email protected] or 39 347 552 7899 Via di Piazza del Popolo you exit you will see many people Student Coordinator Lucy Clark grouped outside the exit in a sort of at [email protected]. 1305018 Orvieto (Terni) La Meridiana, Ceramic School semi circle—waiting to meet passen- Then try our phone numbers found on Tel: 0763 342065 39 057 166 0084 gers. Look around as you walk out— following page. Fax: 0763.342902 Below: and stay in the area, in close proxim- If you do not have internet 2. Email: [email protected] The white building, center, houses our ECU complex: first floor is classrooms; windows above ECU classroom ity to the exit. If you don’t see us go access when you learn your plane will are some of our student apartments. From this view you can see all of Certaldo Alto, the quaint 39 057 165 2822 to INFO point 1, which will be to be delayed, call your parents Hotel website if our first village where you will be living. In the distance are olive and grape laden Tuscan hillsides. your left as you walk out. There are and let them know and ask them to night is in Vico Equense chairs & coffee shops. Also we will email us. www.aequahotel.net find you easier if you wear purple or 3. If you arrive very late and do not see the ECU staff at the exit, do not Corso Filangieri worry, know we are making 46, 80069 every effort to locate you. Do go to an Vico Equense (NA) information desk and kindly ask the Email: [email protected] attendant to call us . Tel: (+39) 081 801 5331 Facebook: Hotel Aequa | Vico Program our phone numbers into your phone! Equense To students who may be traveling prior to the program start date, and do not plan to take the airport shuttle with the group, please let Linda know so she will not wait for you at the air-

4 ECU TUSCANY STUDY ABROAD ECU TUSCANY STUDY ABROAD 5 Passports and Documents Money and credit cards

Start your application for a passport Very Important! To Do List Currency If you contact your bank at least 2 Depending on your bank charges, as early as possible, it can regularly Please scan of the front photo • Leave copies of your checking weeks before you depart, you may ATM debit cards are the best way take over 6 weeks to obtain. It is page of your passport and email account numbers, savings account Bring only a small amount of be able to get US Dollars converted to obtain cash in Italy. In most imperative you learn to carry it with this image to Linda Darty, numbers, social security number and US cash with you when you travel to to Euros, before you leave the states. cases you are allowed to withdraw you at all times while traveling. When [email protected], at least one (1) copies of passport and credit cards Italy; keep some for your return trip to Normally theere is no service fee for the equivalent of up to $250.00 not traveling remember to keep your month prior to departure for our with a parent, or friend in the U.S. the US ($100.00 or less). this, it is the best way to get euros. in euros per day. ATMs allow you passport it in a safe place. Each of us permanent records. This means you can arrive in Italy the best exchange rate on the day will • Leave a copy of the semester itiner- There is an ATM/Bancomat at the with some money. Then use your you withdraw. We recommend not always be asked for their passport This not only helps us get you into ary with parent, or friend in the US. airport for an immediate way to obtain debit card as needed. using Traveler’s checks; ATMs are when we check into a hostel or hotel our hotel lodgings, it also registers Let parents or a friend know euros with a debit or credit card, and much more convenient and easier. and sometimes you will need to show your apartments with the Certaldo flight information for pick up when we will help you. Credit Cards Most major credit cards are hon- it when you use a debit or credit card. Police Department. you return home. ored in Europe. It is highly recom- Be sure to get your Passport Re- Do not bring dollars to exchange as Be sure to call your credit card mended to bring a credit card in turned To You, before you leave each HELPFUL HINT: • SCAN a copy of the information you will be charged a higher fee. Do company before you leave the your name, signed on the back, hostel or hotel. Use a folder, zipped case or pouch for all your first page of your passport, and email not change money at change stations states to let them know you will with a pin number that you can documents. Keeping all your documents in the it to: [email protected] in the airport. It is expensive because be in Europe. Do NOT use your remember. Make one or two copies of your pass- same place in a folder will save you endless • Print out a copy of our school ad- of commissions credit card for cash; it is too port to leave with people you trust time looking for your important information dress and all contact information so and fees. expensive. HELPFUL HINT: Ask your bank or credit (family/friends). This will enable you over the course of your stay. You should keep family will know how to reach you. card company, before you leave, about the to get a replacement sooner, if it gets a copy of your passport, health insurance rates for using their cards in Europe. Some lost or stolen. Be sure to pack one information, credit card, contact info, flight • Prepare any additional informa- banks have affiliates that charge lower or no copy in your suitcase as well. itinerary, class syllabi, etc. in this folder or tion parents may need while you’re transaction fees if you use their ATMs for even a plastic zip lock bag away—examples include: tax forms, withdrawals. For example, Bank of America Do bring your driver’s license and financial aid forms, voting documents currently has an arrangement with BNL banks Student ID with a picture—this will etc. in Italy. Be sure to memorize your PIN number work at many stores and other places for these accounts or you will be without cash. if you don’t have your passport with • Bring copies of all advising Again, make copies of these cards and write you when you are shopping. information that you went over with down their phone numbers in case of loss. your advisor for your next semester. Make an extra copy of this information for a This will help you register for your parent or trusted friend. classes during registration week while you are in Italy.

• All contact info for our lodgings in Italy is in the addendum of this handbook. print it for your family. It is also on our website. please share the website with your family.

Your family and friends might also like to follow our blog at:

http://italyintensives.tumblr.com

6 ECU TUSCANY STUDY ABROAD ECU TUSCANY STUDY ABROAD 7 Phone, Internet Special Things to Bring 2. Do not to bring hairdryers, curling and Computer irons etc, as they will almost always 1. Power converter or adapter. A power burn out—even with adapters. These Internet: Phone: Computer: converter changes the voltage from the items are available to purchase in European 220 volt down to the US 110 Certaldo or Florence and most cost Internet is provided throughout If you are bringing a phone with an An external hard drive is highly volt so you will not fry your school/ less than €20.00. Students in apart- the classrooms & student lounge international plan we urge you to recommended to bring along with apartment electronics. ments can share the cost if one is not with several other hotspots within throughly understand your calling your computer. supplied by landlords. Certaldo Alto businesses. Students functions & costs with your phone An adapter is just a transition device will have the ability to connect back provider, prior to arriving. We will Students in the pasthave had consid- which allows plugging your US elec- 4. Do bring headphones with an inco- home with audio/video chat through have no way of dealing with your car- erable problems when their com- tronics into an Italian wall outlet. Your roporated microphone for your calls their cell phones or computers with rier in Italy. puters have crashed and they have computer and other major electron- & private conversations at school—for Gmail, Skype, Facetime, iMessage, As of 2019 T-Mobile works very not backed up their work. It is very ics usually convert the voltage auto- your privacy and as a courtesy. Snapchat, Facebook Messenger or well in Italy with no extra changes or difficult to get computer repairs done matically with their propietary charger their chosen software– these are free charges. in Italy and purchasing hard drives (read the instructions on your power 5. Useful & handy to bring Ziplock through our wireless service. in Italy is more expensive. So bring bricks, cord, or check online). De- plastic bags (this brand is not available ECU has purchased simple Italian along a good external hard drive & pending on what electronics you bring, in Italy) and can help you pack wet We do ask students to regulate time non-smart phones for each of our get in the habit of backing up your get what you need before leaving! items, snacks for travel, toiletries for on Skype and other chat platforms students to use during their stay in computer & assignments on a daily It’s a good idea to bring several of the overnights, etc. to evening hours, after class time or Certaldo. We will lend students one basis. If you are using a ‘Cloud’ sys- adapters that will allow you to plug in during non-class days or after dinner. of these phones during the semester, tem for back up be sure your accounts your smaller electronic devices; USB 6. Pack your prescription medicines! While staying in touch with family charging only a small deposit that are paid up before your trip. chargers, camera batteries, tablets etc. Have them filled for the duration of and friends is an expectation, we have will be returned when the phone is You will want at least one to keep your travel time! found that overindulging in daily con- returned working. These phones can Photography Students are required in the classroom and one for your tacts can impede our students immer- call & text throughout most of the to bring a portable hard drive for apartment. Label these pieces with 7. Pack some non-prescription meds sive experience. We strongly suggest EU for free between each other and class. your name as well since we all use as well—cold meds, motion sick- that students relax and enjoy their faculty. School numbers are entered them! These are available to purchase ness meds, headaches etc. Aspirin, experience in Italy with their new into each phone so students can im- Don’t forget your computer in Italy. acetaminophen and Ibuprofen can be friends, limiting contacts in the states mediately contact us if there is an charger! Electronics are especially purchased at Farmacia in town to 2 or 3 times a week. We encourage emergency. We require students to expensive in Italy. use of headsets or ear phones so your carry these phones with them at all 8. Review the packing list on page 16 conversations will feel more private. times, especially when traveling. HELPFUL HINT: Add a LABEL to all for many other helpful suggestions. chargers, portable drives, converters and headphones since often we have the same gear and peripherals!

8 ECU TUSCANY STUDY ABROAD ECU TUSCANY STUDY ABROAD 9 Mail in Italy Groceries, Restaurants

The post office is in Certaldo Basso, Once we are in Italy, you can re- Siesta time for stores is generally Beauty needs–hair salons, do not all just a couple of blocks from the foot- ceive mail at our classroom facility: 1:00–4:00 pm. Don’t be surprised if require appointments. See the staff for path that takes us down from Certaldo they are closed! their favorites! There is a great store Alto. It costs the same to send a Student Name in Certaldo that sells very reasonable letter as a post card, about 2 euros to East Carolina University Sunday—Not many stores are open— toiletries, hair products, lotions, sun- the States. Mail can take 10 days or Via Boccaccio 28 grocery store only in the morning. screens, etc. even 2 weeks or longer to get to the 50052 Certaldo Alto (Firenze) During orientation week we will take States. Receiving mail from the States Italy you grocery shopping and you will Student apartments have washers can take even longer. Mail, such as learn to find your way around Certaldo only, but in town there are two laun- letters and post cards are easier to Packages: Basso and Certaldo Alto. dromats—one near the post office and deal with than packages, which are Only ship what is necessary! one next door to the grocery store. A difficult sending both ways. We don’t Most of the time packages get held There are several small groceries in washer cost is about 4–7 euros—and recommend that friends and family up in customs—there are random Certaldo Basso. The Coop is the main dryer is 3. send care packages because it costs inspections, and you may have grocery store in town. You can use a students to receive them (customs customs fees to pay. Declare the credit card with a passport or photo id. charges). Do not plan to receive any contents exactly before mailing. If you buy produce in the store there Dining Out In Italy packages during the shorter sum- are plastic gloves that must be worn mer sessions because it can take 3-5 Avoid sending any food because before handling the produce. Once Many restaurants will have a cover weeks for packages to arrive. these packages have the most trouble you have placed your produce in the charge or service charge included in getting through customs and need plastic bags that are provided, weigh the cost. This is usually written in You can buy stamps (francobolli) at special authorization. them on the scales that print out price small letters on the menu and it is Tabbachi stores & our post office in stickers. called a COPERTO. Sometimes the Certaldo, Postale You may be sending some of your menu will say NO COPERTO so you things from Italy back to the States at It’s a good idea to buy a large cheap will know that there is no cover charge the end of the semester. We will help cloth shopping bag on your first day, added to the cost. Check the menu you with packing and shipping from as you will be charged a small fee for prior to sitting down to order to see if Italy at that time. plastic bags. you will be charged a coperto. Some- times if you sit down for coffee, it will There is a street market in Certaldo cost more than if you stand up and Basso on Wednesday mornings. This drink it at the bar. market has fresh vegetables, cheese, olives, and even a rotisserie truck that Italians rarely tip, as waiters in Italy sells cooked meats. They also sell are paid differently than in America clothing, towels, shoes, housewares and tips are included in COPERTO etc. There is a smaller fruit and vegeta- charges, or food prices. ble market on Saturdays. In Italy the word BAR is used to If you have particular food require- describe places to buy coffee, water, ments or allergies, you need to know juices, snacks, sandwiches, and pizza the Italian words for your allergies and as well as wine, beer and other drinks. how to communicate that information to servers in restaurants or stores. It is possible to buy gluten free products in the grocery stores and pharmacies.

10 ECU TUSCANY STUDY ABROAD ECU TUSCANY STUDY ABROAD 11 Class Supplies Travel while in Certaldo

Please review your class syllabi for For those taking jewelry class there For students of photography, large Up to Certaldo Alto: Train Travel in Italy: Certaldo is a Check train schedules on the Trenitalia class supply lists and plan accord- is a metals supply store in Florence format inkjet printers are in our There is transportation up the hill wonderful location for easy travel. website (www.trenitalia.com/en). Dur- ingly what is best for you to pack that has some copper sheets but no studios. See the class syllabus for to Certaldo Alto on the funicolare Just a 10-15 minute walk down the ing some seasons, the last train back from home. If you have any questions other metals. We have some copper information on camera and computer (similar to a cable car lift). There are hill is the train station with many from Florence to Certaldo is approxi- about what is available in Italy, please and sterling silver in the studio, but it requirements for the class. THIS IS hours of operation posted on a bulletin departure times posted throughout mately 9:20pm contact our student services coordina- is best to bring whatever other metal VERY IMPORTANT! board at the entry gate on both ends. the day. tor, Lucy, at: [email protected]. you will be using with you. See your You can buy tickets at either the top The program director has folders in the syllabus. If you are an upper level Book Arts and Design students will or bottom of the lift, using a simple When you travel by public transpor- office that may provide information There are office supply stores and a metals student and already have a find many beautiful papers that can vending machine. In Certaldo Basso’s tation you can buy a ticket either at about particular places you wish to paper store (cartoleria) in Certaldo selection of tubing, wire or various be purchased in Florence or Certaldo, funicolare station there is an attendant the train ticket office or at one of the visit in Italy.and our library has many Basso where you can buy notebooks, small pieces of sheet – you might like for class projects. We have book who can sell tickets to you. If there is self service machines, or at the local books with information on locations, paper, pens, pencils & other supplies. to have some of that with you. If you board, linen threads, glue, polymer a machine for purchasing a ticket that Tabacchi. travelguides and historical references. Our school has standard office sup- are a beginning student we will have and acrylic paint. You can also make reads: “no resto” it means you need plies like staplers, pencil sharpeners, what you need here in Certaldo. You books with found papers, shopping exact change for the machine. You will In Certaldo a Tabacchi is located EACH TIME YOU travel you must paper cutter, copy machine and print- will need to pay for the supplies you bags, maps, photos or drawings . We see most of our students walk up and across the street from the train sta- validate your ticket before you get ers. You can buy glue sticks, x-acto use. We have jewelry and enameling have book arts KITS for students to down the hill unless its raining or they tion and the staff are very friendly on a bus or train. There are little knives, tape & more in Certaldo. KITS that students check out to use check out during the semester. Kits have heavy grocery bags. and helpful. The times for arrival and green and white boxes in the train sta- We have a small art supply store in while in Italy. The tools they include include scissors, sewing needles, glue departure are listed on bulletin boards tion and on the buses. You need to put Certaldo with a few offerings, but we are listed in the class syllabus. brushes and bone folders. Taxi: Add this number to your at the station and sometimes there is a your ticket in the slot of the box, slide shop more extensively at the art sup- contacts in case you ever need a taxi television monitor. Check the number it to the left and have it stamped with ply stores in Florence. around the Certaldo region: of the track (binario) to learn from the time and date. This is important ~ Tiziano: 339 661 9222 which track your train departs. NEV- because you could be fined 50 Euros ER, EVER walk over the tracks… if a conductor asks to see your ticket, you can be hurt or arrested! and you have not validated it. Keep your ticket where you can find it in case a transportation official asks to see it.

12 ECU TUSCANY STUDY ABROAD ECU TUSCANY STUDY ABROAD 13 Visitor Accomodations in Certaldo Luggage And Packing

We do not allow you to travel with The following lodgings are located Il Castello is a lovely hotel and res- FIRST RULE visitors during scheduled class peri- in Certaldo Alto, near our apartments taurant just at the top of the funicolare You need to be able to manage your cally doesn’t get really cold until mid *Something to sleep in like PJs, extra ods. Please encourage your friends or and classrooms and they both offer on the edge of town with views of the own luggage! PACK LIGHT!! Be December or when we are up north T’s etc to keep warm on cold nights. family to visit only on free weekends, special prices to ECU. Elsa Valley and the Tuscan hills. They sure you can easily manage your lug- in Venice. January, February are cold fall or spring break, or before/after have 10 rooms all with windows that gage by yourself. Practice handling and windy, with normally little or no *A personal preference style towel that summer program dates. Any students Locanda Linando is a family either overlook Certaldo basso or the alone before you depart. We highly snow. March and April are sunny, but packs easily – something you don’t planning to host visitors must email owned & operated bed and breakfast streets of Alto. All rooms have en- reccommend you bring less than you often rainy-50’s to 60’s. May and June mind leaving here! the director as far in advance as pos- set in a 14th century renovated house. suite bathrooms, air conditioning and plan to need, packing only essentials are warm to hot in the day and cool at sible because our program itinerary Our friend Chiara, who speaks Eng- wireless internet. It is owned by our regarding your semesters weather night – July and August can be in the *Money. As explained earlier in this often changes due to outside circum- lish, has furnished it with a relaxed friend Alfred Kramer (who speaks conditions! We carry our luggage up very high 90’s or hotter. Pay attention handbook on page 6. stances. family feel. Special prices for our English). Booking is available online. and down stairs and on and off trains, to your travel period and bring as little guests. There is a website with more specific busses & up and down hills & cities. as possible, Italy has enough to cover *Documents and photocopies. as ex- Visitors are never allowed to stay Website: www.linando2.it details and contact information. Spe- This cannot be stressed enough. what your particular dress needs are. plained in more detail on page 5. in student housing under any Tel: 39.0571.66.68.06 cial prices for our guests. NO ELEVATORS EXIST IN circumstances, it is the law! Email: [email protected] www.albergoilcastello.it/index_ CERTALDO APARTMENTS *Bring one set of long underwear – *Small daypack- this is great for en.php ALL LODGINGS ARE UP STAIRS!! just in case! carrying an extra sweater, camera, lit- Tel: +39.0571.668250xw erature, journals, money, art supplies, email: [email protected] Limit your travel packing to: *Girls will want at least one dressier passport and travel books. 1. one carry-on size bag: skirt/pants and boys may want one 9” x 21” x 13” nice shirt and pants. NO HIGH * Camera! A digital camera and a 2. one day pack for short overnights or HEELS. Streets are cobbled and you high-capacity memory card – AND a day trips (on plane you can put your can easily twist an ankle. way to charge the battery- (Target and purse inside) Best buy sell European converters that 3. one checked bag of 50 pounds *Swimsuit, shorts or cover-up if you pack easily- see pg.9 for photos). or less. like. *Earplugs. A DEFINITE If night Helpful Hint: You can always buy essentials in *Underwear and socks,. noises bother you, …you may have Italy if you find you don’t have enough of most snoring roommates!!! anything. *Two or three pairs of comfortable walking/hiking/dress shoes. You might *First-aid kit. A few band-aids – mole- Helpful Hint: Travel with a well made fitted want one water resistant shoe for skin for blisters etc. backpack as you will find it makes due for walking to town when it is wet and the most trips of our one to three day excursions. other pair is in case you get blisters *Medicine,vitamins. Keep it in We travel light and fast and need to make ad- and need to change. You can also bring original containers with prescriptions. justments often due to weather or train strikes. sandals or flip-flops for shower shoes You might also bring something like Make sure it is light comfortable and sturdy! or beach, and boots or heavy shoes pepto bismol, Imodium for diarrhea, or you like to wear in colder weather. Dramamine for motion sickness, cold Serious Suggestions: Just keep that luggage as LIGHT medicines or aspirin/ibuprofen if you Be prepared for weather condi- as you can and shoes can obviously use them. If you take a prescription tions of your semester, inquire prior weigh a lot! medication each day, bring enough for to departure! September will still the entire semester. Bring at least one be warm swimming weather but by *Jacket. Bring a warm / fleece or down week’s worth in carry on bag in case mid-October you may need additional coat and a raincoat that has a hood. your luggage is lost or delayed. light sweaters & wind breaker depending on travel locations. November is *Warm hat and gloves- it’s smart to windy with cool nights but it typi- have one pair of wool socks

14 ECU TUSCANY STUDY ABROAD ECU TUSCANY STUDY ABROAD 15 *Extra eyeglasses, contact lenses, and *Address list. A list of email and DON’T FORGET THESE IMPORTANT THINGS!! prescriptions. Contact solutions are mailing addresses will help you keep widely available in Europe. in touch. You can send mass emails as Get a flu shot! Many students miss Bring headphones for skyping so we you go (bring a shrunk-down print- special travel days because they get don’t all hear your private conversa- *Sunglasses and sunscreen (you can out of your email address book in the flu. tions. easily buy both in Italy). case you can’t access it online). Or if you prefer to send postcards, consider See your doctor about immunization Bring a few small packages of tis- *Toiletries kit. Put all squeeze bottles printing your mail list onto a sheet of for meningitis. sues—you may also need them in in sealable plastic baggies, since pres- adhesive address labels before you some bathrooms. sure changes in flight can cause even leave. There will be Internet access in Bring Power converter or adapter - good bottles to leak. If you bring any most cities we visit. PUT YOUR NAME ON THESE AS Bring a hard drive or flash drive to in your carry on bag, all liquids, gels, THEY EASILY DISAPPEAR. back up work! and aerosols must be in three-ounce *Small notepad and pen or make your • or smaller containers, and all of these own in the book class! Cold medicines, throat lozenges, items must fit within a single, quart- pain relievers, dizzy medicines (like PACK LIGHT!! size sealable plastic baggie.) Bring a *Do not bring a hairdryer or flat iron. Dramamine). little toilet paper or tissue packets just in case. Fingernail clippers and twee- *Direct Current Adaptor -In Italy the Sharpie or other permanent mark- zers are also handy. Remember - you current is 220 V 50 cycles (in the US ers: bring these or buy when you can buy shampoo, lotions, soap etc. it is 110 V 60). arrive and mark your personal items. once you get to Certaldo! (You will need soap in the Rome hostel.) *Laptop Computer/iPod/Headphones/ Do not bring hairdryers, curling chargers, portable hard drive etc. ALL irons etc, as they will almost always *Hand sanitizer –for when you need LABELED CAREFULLY burn out, even with adapters. to wash without water and to keep from getting sick!!!!! *Class Supplies- read syllabi for details! *Sealable plastic baggies. Get a variety of sizes. In addition to hold- KEEP IT LIGHT! You’ll be glad you ing your carry-on liquids, they’re did! ideal for packing leftover picnic food, containing wetness, and bagging po- tential leaks before they happen. The two-gallon jumbo size is handy for packing damp clothing.

*Sewing kit, if you think you might use it. Take along a few safety pins and buttons too.

*Travel information. If you don’t want to carry your travel book, read it at home and photocopy appropriate chapters from guidebooks and staple them together. We have books in our library.

16 ECU TUSCANY STUDY ABROAD ECU TUSCANY STUDY ABROAD 17 Health Insurance and Medical Issues CRISIS MANAGEMENT ABROAD East Carolina University ECU Tuscany An insurance policy has been pur- When you are sick and concerned • Bring non prescription chased for you that will cover you that you should see a doctor, no- medicines for motion EMERGENCY CONTACTS IN ITALY on the dates you are on the ECU tify the program director immedi- ECU Tuscany Campus- program. It is a GREAT plan. ately. We will get you to the doctor sickness on transportation; Via Boccaccio 28 When you get the card (emailed) right away! OR, during COVID, Certaldo Alto, FI 50052 go online to see details about the the doctors will even come to us! for colds, your favorite School Office: (39) 057.165.2822 coverage. BRING HAND SANITIZER!!! headache meds etc. Director: Linda Darty- (39) 340.858.3833 [email protected] When you get a copy of this card, Make sure you wash your hands • We suggest you acquire print it out several times and EVERY time you eat and do not ECU CAMPUS EMERGENCY CONTACT store it in multiple locations, one put them in your mouth, eyes or a flu shot and immuniza- -Whitney Morris in your wallet, purse, phone etc. nose! You’ll have so much more -SSAB Coordinator and keep a spare with your other fun if you stay healthy! tion for meningitis. [email protected] important documents. The school • Copy your passport, -252.328.9218 travel insurance will cover you for the exact dates of this program Super Important things you credit card, plane ECU Italy Staff Cell Numbers: Linda Darty, Director -(39) 340.858.3833 only. Therefore, during summer need to remember: sessions, if you want to travel itinerary 2 times. Leave Stuart Watson, Assistant Director-(39) 347-372-6493 Lucy Plato Clark, Student Coordinator-(39) 392-042-7200 earlier or stay past our dates, you one copy with family, and will need to purchase additional Francesca Maddalena, La Meridiana contact-(39) 347-552-7899 health insurance. (During fall or • Send requested passport put another separately in Italy In-Country Emergency Contact Numbers: spring it is impossible to travel be- information to: dartyl@ •Certaldo Office Telephone(39) 057.165.2822 yond program dates because you your suitcase or carry-on •USA Embassy(39) 06 46741 would need a VISA beyond the 90 ecu.edu in case of emergency. •Local Police, Polizia112 day duration of our stay.)Here are • Write Linda also about •Carabinieri (State Police)113 a couple of companies that offer • Call your debit/credit •Fire Department115 extended coverage for medical any allergies or special •Medical Emergency118 insurance: MEDEX Insurance card companies to tell Services, TravMed Choice Out- dietary needs. them you will be abroad. Our two nearby hospitals: bound. • Bring enough prescrip- Siena Ospedaliera0577 585111 • Get excited! You’re on Viale Mario Bracci, 16- Siena There is a small, good, medical tion medicine to last clinic in Certaldo Basso as well as your way to ITALY!! Emploi Ospedale0571 7051 several pharmacies. There is also during your entire time Viale Giovanni Boccaccio, 20, Empoli an English doctor in Florence who will bill the insurance company in Italy—you can pre-ar- directly and it is easy to get an ap- range this with your insur- pointment with him. ance company, explaining His contact info is: Dr. Stephen Kerr - 055 288055 that you will be out of the www.dr-kerr.com country.

18 ECU TUSCANY STUDY ABROAD ECU TUSCANY STUDY ABROAD 19 In the event of an emergency of any kind always & immediately contact the director or staff personnel immediately. If they cannot be reached, keep trying, but here are also contacts at ECU’s Study Abroad office & the US State Department should you need to use them

ECU GLOBAL STUDIES OFFICE on Greenville Campus

Jon Rezek, Assistant Vice Chancellor tel: 252.000.0000 [email protected] Whitney Morris: tel [email protected] Katie Strickland tel: [email protected]

Office of Global Affairs 306 East Ninth Street Greenville, NC 27858 252 328 1051 State Department Telephone Numbers: •State Department Switchboard 202 647 4000 (Call this number and ask for the country desk) •Overseas Emergency 202 647 5225 •Consular Affairs 202 647 3600 •After hours duty officer 202 647 1512

ECU’s highest priority is the SAFETY of our students and staff while you are studying abroad.

The director and program staff are in frequent communication with ECU and the U.S. State Department regarding travel alerts and advisory warnings.

We regard Certaldo as a VERY SAFE, familiar community of about 150 citizens, with zero crimes reported in the past 10 years. We live in a safe, intimate, idyllic, community!

If you have concerns of ANY kind regarding your safety on campus or away from campus, please contact our director, one of our staff, or the listed contacts on the ECU home campus right away. In the twelve years since our program began, more than 900 students from ECU have safely joined us for a successful and memorable study abroad experience in Italy. We look forward to adding you into the family!

A separate list of COVID safety measures will be sent to each student, based on current rec- ommendations from the CDC as well as Italian government/health mitigation requirements.

20 ECU TUSCANY STUDY ABROAD