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PADUA Summer 2012 Handbook BU in

1 Getting Ready to Go A Sense of Purpose Helpful Websites

2 Academics Courses Textbooks Academic Policies and Procedures Libraries

2 What to Bring Handbooks Passport and Student Visa Student Identification Calling Card/Phones Clothing Prescription/Drug Store Items Appliances Computers/E-mail Miscellaneous

4 Money Matters Program Fees Cash Banking

5 Arrival Travel Arrangements Orientation

6 Housing Housing Assignments Italian Households Family Housing Guidelines

8 Life in Padua Food and Dining Shopping Entertainment Transportation: Getting Around Padua Communication/Mail Media Padua-area Hotels and Hostels Outside of Padua

11 Names and Numbers

2 University International Programs Padua Getting Ready to Go “...Per Il grande desiderio che avevo Divedere la bella Padua, culla delle arti

Padua (known to as Padova) claims to be the oldest Sono arrivato... city in . Ancient Padua, inhabited by Veneti, Ed a Padua sono venuto, come chi lascia thrived thanks to its excellent breed of horses and the wool of its sheep. Its men fought for the Romans at Cannae, and Uno stagno per tuffarsi nel mare.” the city (a Roman municipium since 45 BC) became so powerful that it reportedly was able to raise two hundred –Shakespeare thousand fighting men. The historian was born in La Bisbetica Domata, Atto 1, Scena 1 Padua, and Padua was the first home to one of the most famous architects of the Renaissance, . Padua is also the setting for most of the action in “…For the great desire I had Shakespeare's “.” To see fair Padua, Nursery of Arts.

The city is the economic and communications hub of the I am arrived… region in northern Italy, and is included, with And am to Padua come, as he that leaves (Italian Venezia), in the Padua-Venezia Metropolitan Area, A shallow plash to plunge him in the deep.” population around 1,600,000. Its agricultural setting is the Pianura Padana, edged by the praised by and , and . The city is –Shakespeare picturesque, with a dense network of arcaded streets The Taming of the Shrew, Act 1, Scene 1 opening into large communal piazze, and many bridges crossing the various branches of the River Bacchiglone, which once surrounded the ancient walls like a moat. A SENSE OF PURPOSE A lively city of 240,000 inhabitants, Padua is home to the There’s more to preparing to spend the summer in Padua second oldest European university, founded in 1222, and it than deciding what to pack. You’ll also need to identify your now hosts a student population of 60,000. Elena Lucrezia own goals and objectives, specifically: Cornaro Piscopia, the first woman to receive a college degree, graduated from the Università degli studi di Padova • Establish some general priorities before you go— in 1678. taught in Padua, and his podium is academic, personal, and professional—and try to keep still preserved at the Palazzo , the historic university them in mind throughout the summer semester. building in the center of the city. Having been a university • Think about what you hope to accomplish while you’re in town for almost eight centuries, Padua bustles with all the Padua. diverse cultural and social life that a large population of • Think about how you might accomplish those goals. students and scholars brings. • Remember to keep an open mind. Learn from all of your experiences. Located about 20 miles west of Venice, Padua is also very central to the major art cities of Italy, as well as to those in HELPFUL WEBSITES the rest of . The city itself is extraordinarily rich in art and architecture: it boasts ’s frescoes in the Cappella • Info on the BU Padua Program degli Scrovegni; works of Mantegna, , and painters www. bu.edu/abroad/programs/padua-language-and- of the Venetian school; and it is one of the largest groups of liberal-arts-program interconnected medieval and renaissance public spaces in www. bu.edu/abroad/media/padua-what-students-say Italy. Virtually all the great buildings of Palladio are within • Padua (municipality information) forty minutes of the city. www.paduanet.it • Venice (city information) Boston University’s Padua Academic Center is located in the www.virtualvenice.com historic center of Padua and within walking distance of most • Lonely Planet Guides—Italy university departments. www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations

1 Boston University Study Abroad Padua Tardiness Academics Students must make every effort to be on time for all scheduled meetings and class sessions and should notify the appropriate persons by phone or written message of extenu - COURSES ating circumstances that result in tardiness. If you should Classes are held at the Boston University Padua Academic arrive late to class, please minimize the effects of your Center and are taught by Boston University faculty and local arrival. Students are not admitted more than ten minutes instructors. Expect your Italian professors to have different past the beginning of class. teaching styles than your professors at your home campus and expect that your courses will operate differently than Coursework courses at your home campus. All students enroll in a total You are expected to turn in all course assignments on time; of eight semester-hour credits. A minimum enrollment of turning in assignments late will have a negative effect on five students is required for a course to be offered. your grades. Students caught submitting the same written work for two separate courses will fail one of the courses. Please go to www.bu.edu/abroad/programs/padua- All academic commitments must be completed before you language-and-liberal-arts-programs-summer . leave Padua; no incompletes are permitted. Students who do not complete a course on time will be given an F. In addition, students are not permitted to audit courses or to TEXTBOOKS take courses on a pass/fail basis. For certain courses you will need to purchase textbooks before you leave the United States. BU visiting faculty will contact you directly with information regarding textbook LIBRARIES purchase from the U.S. The remainder of the books you will The library system in Italy works a little differently than that purchase once in Padua. of the US. You may access most university libraries with your Università degli studi di Padova (UNIPD) ID that you will receive on-site. Don’t be surprised to find it necessary to ACADEMIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES leave all your belongings, including your jacket, at the Attendance entrance of library. While not necessarily user-friendly, the You are expected to attend each class session, field trip, and library provides a wonderful quiet space to study. There are any other course-related event. Attendance and class partic - also Aule Studio located throughout the city where you can ipation will influence your grade for the course. You will be study, access Padua WiFi service once registered, and meet required to account for undue absences either by personal other Italian students. The Padua city library is sometimes explanation to the course instructor and/or to the Resident used by students, and there also is a good collection of Director, or by written statement from another authority. books for students to use at the BU Padua Academic Center.

If you have been absent from a course excessively, you may be required to withdraw from that course without credit. If you expect to be absent from a class, you must notify your instructor and the resident director in advance, preferably in What to Bring writing. If you are absent from class for medical reasons, you need to contact BU Study Abroad Padua and seek medical attention. HANDBOOK Bring this handbook with you to Padua. It contains informa - Academic Conduct Code tion which you may find useful during your summer in Italy. All students participating in a Boston University Study Abroad are expected to maintain high standards of academic honesty and integrity. It is the responsibility of PASSPORT every student to be aware of the College of Arts and You must have a valid passport to spend the summer in Italy. Sciences Academic Conduct Code’s contents and to abide by its provisions. The Academic Conduct Code can be found at www.bu.edu/cas/students/undergradresources/ Passport-Size Photos code. You should already have supplied the Padua Office with the specified JPEG of a passport photo along with your accept - ance paperwork.

2 Boston University Study Abroad Padua STUDENT IDENTIFICATION CLOTHING Bring your student ID card; it’s always helpful to have an The most important thing to remember when packing extra form of photo ID. It’s also a very good idea to purchase clothes is that whatever you pack will probably be more an International Student Identification Card, which provides than you will need. Also, keep in mind that you may not some student discounts. For information on the nearest have a lot of closet and drawer space so bring only what is issuing office, check the following: www.statravel.com . necessary. You will do best to bring clothes that are easily mixed and matched. Bring comfortable walking shoes for Europe’s stone pavements. Do realize, however, that it will CALLING CARDS/PHONES be hot. Casual wear in Europe is less casual than in the U.S.; Using a calling card is a convenient and generally inexpen - you should be prepared with some semi-dressy clothes for sive way to call the US since calls are billed at US, not local, an occasional invitation out. Please keep in mind that some rates. Check with your US long-distance carrier to obtain an of the excursions in the religion and art history courses will international calling card for your calls back home to the be to religious sites, so you will need to be dressed appropri - States. Most of the long-distance companies offer these ately (for example, you would not be admitted to a church cards and special calling plans for international calls. Be sure while wearing shorts or a sleeveless shirt). It is also a good to contact your long-distance calling card company before idea to bring a money belt or a neck pouch to carry credit leaving home to obtain the necessary access numbers to cards, your passport, and money when traveling away from dial from Italy. Padua.

Italy offers a direct, toll-free line to a US operator. However, Linens a convenient and perhaps easier method would be to buy In the homestays bed linens and towels are provided, but pre-paid phone cards at the tabacchi stores and use them at you should bring an extra towel and/or beach towel for the city pay phones which are located on all blocks of the weekends away. city for local and long-distance calls. If some students are housed in apartments or dorms, You may also use calling cards from your host family’s land information will be provided about what to bring. line if they have given you permission. Some calling cards can also be used with your mobile phone but the call may cost more. PRESCRIPTIONS AND DRUG STORE ITEMS You should be sure to bring copies of prescriptions for any Cellular Phones medications you may need and for glasses or contact lenses It is a program policy that you have a mobile phone while if you wear them. Since medications tend to be expensive in attending the BU program in Padua. During orientation, the Europe and because it sometimes can be difficult to get the onsite staff will indicate where you can buy an Italian cell appropriate equivalent medication, we recommend that you phone (€40-50 circa). If you prefer using your current bring an adequate supply of whatever medications you may phone you need to find out about unblocking it well in use while abroad. Any medications you do bring should be advance, before leaving the US, and how to make your in the original, properly-labeled bottles. You should also phone work once you are in Italy. The BU staff cannot help bring an extra pair of glasses (or contact lenses) if you wear with this. them. You also might want to bring your preferred over-the- counter drugs (Tylenol, for example), a supply of deodorant, Internet Phone Option and contact lens solution. Many program participants use Skype to call home through their computer. It is free to download and free to talk between computers. If your host family only has Internet APPLIANCES access with an Internet key, this service may not be You may want to leave electrical appliances (especially hair available. For more information go to www.skype.com . dryers) at home. Fairly inexpensive models can be purchased overseas, and you won’t need to worry about adapters or converters. If you are bringing a photo or video camera you'll probably need a plug adapter for Italian-type outlets (not a voltage converter as most travelling devices have this already built in). It's easier if you bring it with you; Clothing and Climate however, these can be purchased in Padua. The temperature in Padua is generally in the 80s-90s F during the day in June and July, with an occasional cool evening. Don’t forget your raingear!

3 Boston University Study Abroad Padua LAPTOPS • budget travel guide—Berkely guides, Lonely Planet guides and Let’s Go Italy are recommended. The BU Padua The BU Padua Academic Center has limited computer facili - Academic Center does have a small collection of guides ties (a few computers) for student use. If you do bring your which past students have left. own laptop, keep in mind the following: • insect repellent (for mosquitos) • Make a complete backup of all the information/software • sun block on the computer. If the computer has one, bring along the computer system maintenance or operation system disk. • Computers should be insured, under your family’s general household policy or a specialized student insurance policy for specialized coverage), to the full value of the Money Matters computer including any peripherals, such as a modem, CD ROM, etc. Check with companies such as Safeware (www.safeware.com ) or National Student Services PROGRAM FEES (www.nssinc.com ). For information about the program fee and personal • A security kit is essential because of the possibility of budgeting guidelines visit: www.bu.edu/abroad/aid theft. The most widely known kits are made by /finances.html . Kensington ( www.kensington.com ) or Targus (www.targus.com ). Room and Board • Check whether your computer has a built in transformer Your room and board bills will be automatically deducted which can handle voltages of 110 (US) to 220 (Europe)— from your stipend and paid directly to the families by the BU most newer computers are equipped with this. If so, all Padua staff. Students will receive a stipend of 12 euros per you will need to get is an adapter to fit the Italian wall day to help defray daily living expenses such as food and jacks. If your computer can handle only 110 volts, then local transportation. Students will also be provided with a you will need to get a transformer, which can be quite university mensa pass which will give them access to the bulky and expensive. Consider buying one in Italy. university cafeterias where a full meal costs 4.00 euros • Make sure that you are entirely familiar with the (most students spend less on a plate of pasta and a salad or workings/programs of your computer, as we have limited fruit and yogurt). technical support in our Padua office. • You must ensure that your computer is loaded with up- Room Damage Fees to-date antivirus software. Boston University students See page 7, Property Damage for guidelines. can either visit the Boston University website to download free software for both Mac and PC laptops, Field Trips and Program Activities which is available at www.bu.edu/tech , or visit Common You are expected to participate in all orientation activities, @ Mugar to configure their laptops. Visiting students the costs of which are covered by the program and are not should check with the computer /technology support refundable. The schedule for these activities varies and is at department at their home schools. the discretion of the Resident Director.

Please see “Life in Padua” and “housing” sections for further information on e-mail and Internet access. CASH The obvious danger of losing your cash or having it stolen does not make this a good option for large sums of money. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS No student should ever keep large amounts of cash in • sewing kit—bring a small one; it may prove useful. his/her room or on his/her person. • school supplies—you’ll find the supplies you’ll need in Padua, and it’s much easier to purchase them there than to bring those materials with you. • gift for your host family—a calendar or anything that How much should I take? represents the place where you are from. Some families Depending on your own standard of living and have hosted for a number of years so photo books of your how much traveling, shopping, and dining out hometown may not be the best choice. you do, expenses (exclusive of tuition, room, • camera, film, batteries, or digital camera—be sure to and board covered by your program fee) will bring batteries or memory cards, since they tend to be vary. In the past, students have spent from more expensive overseas. $600–$1,500 during the summer. Keep in mind • alarm —bring a small, non-electric one. that your buying power is directly related to the • calculator • booklight/flashlight exchange rate.

4 Boston University Study Abroad Padua Cash for Arrival You should plan to exchange $50–100 into euros before you You should always carry your cash and other leave so that you will have money to use when you first valuables (travelers checks, passport and visa, arrive in Italy; small denominations are best. You may also airline ticket, etc.) in a money belt that you wear want to carry some US currency. around your waist under your clothes. If you leave for a trip out of town be sure you ALWAYS Cash for Departure have your passport and visa with you, police It is also wise to keep around $50 in cash for your return may ask you for it at any time for any reason. trip. Check to see if there is a departure tax payable at the airport before you leave—you might need your last euros or your credit card for this purpose, or if you are charged for machines in Padua, and in cities throughout Europe, where excess luggage. VISA cards may be used to withdraw money. Check with your VISA card company to make sure that your PIN will BANKING work overseas. Many stores and businesses accept MasterCard and Visa. Expect more limited hours at banks in Padua than you may be accustomed to in US. Banks in Padua will usually exchange currency 8:30 a.m–1:30 p.m. and 2:30–4 p.m., approximately, Monday through Friday. Please also be aware that most Italian banks will not cash personal checks from Arrival the US.

ATMs TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS Instead of only using travelers checks (as used to be the Group Flight custom), many students now rely on a combination of an Your program fee does not include round-trip airfare to Italy. ATM card and credit card. Remember to bring both types of However, optional flight arrangements are available through cards with you, as your ATM card will be useless if it Advantage Travel. You should have received separate becomes demagnetized, damaged, or lost. information on travel arrangements, and you must contact Advantage Travel directly to make your reservations; we With your ATM card from home, you will be able to cannot do this for you. Please contact BU Study Aboad with withdraw funds from your US checking account. Although your itinerary if you are making independent arrangements. there will probably be a fee for each transaction at another bank’s ATM machine, you will be charged the bank’s You will receive detailed instructions regarding arrival time exchange rate in effect on that day, which is typically better and place in Padua a few weeks before your departure. than the one used for normal currency exchanges. US banks vary widely in the charges they attach to foreign ATM Independent Travelers withdrawals; shop around well before leaving and consider Those students arriving in Padua on their own must send moving your account based on what you learn. their travel itineraries to BU Padua staff.

Note: Money deposited into your US bank account during Note: If you arrive in Padua earlier than the official arrival the normal working day is typically updated on the US date and/or stay later than the official departure date, you bank’s computer at midnight that day, which means you will need to make your own housing arrangements. A list of cannot withdraw money until the Italian bank’s computers hotels is included on page 10. Ask the hotel staff to give you have similarly updated their records at midnight the a copy of the transmission of the “Dichiarazione di following night. In other words, there will generally be a Presenza,” which you must submit to the Italian authorities. delay of two business days before you can access those funds. Details for using ATM cards abroad vary from bank to bank. For some banks, you will need to inform them that you ORIENTATION plan to use your ATM card abroad so that bank officials can During the first few days of the program, you will participate allow overseas card transactions. Be persistent in finding out in orientation activities designed to introduce you to your information on service fees and restrictions. new surroundings and to the academic expectations of the program. You will also have a chance to meet with the Credit Cards program staff, to become acquainted with program facilities Credit cards are a very good emergency money source, as and resources, and to learn more about daily life in your new holders of these cards can get cash on the spot from partici - environment. pating banks. Students have found VISA and MasterCard to be more useful than American Express. There are ATM

5 Boston University Study Abroad Padua Directions to the BU Padua Academic Center

You can arrive by train from anywhere in Italy. All From trains, including the high-speed and international Look for destination Venice (but get off in Padua). trains, stop in Padua. A train from Milan takes about two hours and is approximately 20.00 euros ($28). If you are From the Venice Airport flying to Malpensa airport you may have to take a There is an airport shuttle service called Air bus that will leave you at Milan’s . Service. This is a door to door service. You must The cost of the bus is about 8.00 euros ($11.30). reserve at least 24 hours in advance, but it is wise Malpensa airport is about 1 hour away from to reserve a week or so before your trip, calling to Milan. confirm a day ahead. The phone number is 01139-049-8704425, during regular business Once at the Train Station in Padua hours. You can also reserve this service by fax If you have luggage, it’s easiest to take a taxi from (049 8705050), by e-mail at airservice right outside the train station. Ask the taxi to take @taxipadua.it, or through their website: you as close as he can to the BU Padua Academic www.airservicepadova.it . Center: Galleria Santa Lucia, 1. The cost will be about 8 euros. Ring the bell and take the elevator They will ask you for the following information: up to the third floor. Name, date, time and number of your flight, address, and phone. The cost is 30,00 euros A word on local taxis: all taxis in Padua are with (about $40.00). one company (Radio Taxi). The taxis are white cars with a red stripe. They are licensed and From Venice metered. There is a slight surcharge for luggage, if Trains run throughout the day until 11:00pm. It you call in to have it picked up and for evening takes about half an hour to get to Padua and the service. Tips are not expected, but a euro may be cost is about 3.10 euros (about $ 4.40) added for superior service.

From / For More Information (Both cities are on the same line) Follow the instructions in the welcome e-mail Look for destination Venice (but get off in Padua). that you will receive a few weeks prior to your There are several trains leaving for Padua every departure. If you have any specific questions, day. From Rome it takes about five hours and the please do not hesitate to contact the Padua staff cost is approximately 40.00 euros ($36). From directly at any time. Florence it takes two and a half to three hours and the cost is around 20.00 euros ($28). Some trains go directly to Padua, on others you might have to switch trains in .

TRAVEL PLANS Housing You should not make any travel plans for the summer before getting to Padua and consulting the final academic calendar (including class schedules, exams, class trips, group dinners HOUSING ASSIGNMENTS and other mandatory program appointments). Students are placed with Italian host families. Placement is based on the information the student provides on the Housing Questionnaire (which you would have downloaded after acceptance and forwarded directly to the Padua staff). It is very important to be as thorough and specific as possible about your housing preferences as the local housing coordinator must solely base your host family assignment upon the Housing Questionnaire. Every effort is

6 Boston University Study Abroad Padua made to place you in an environment commensurate with your interests and preferences. However, given the large Living with an Italian Family student population, housing can be tight in Padua, and some Although you will be a paying guest, it is best flexibility is required of all students. You will receive more not to think of your Italian home as a hotel. detailed information regarding your host family a few weeks Rather, think of yourself as a guest and a prior to departure. All students, must submit a University of boarder. Keep your room neat, make your bed, Padua Accommodation Form application to obtain their clean up the bathroom after using it. These may student ID, and will receive specific instructions regarding seem like obvious points, but they do mean a procedure and deadlines from the BU Padua office staff. You great deal to the people with whom you will be will learn of your homestay assignment at least a week prior living. It is a good idea to present a modest gift to your arrival in Padua. to your host family when you arrive. It helps to break the ice and shows you are interested in ITALIAN HOUSEHOLDS getting to know them. Italian households which have hosted Boston University students vary in size, age, and lifestyle. Some are young Telephone couples with children, others are single mothers, and still You may use the host family phone for calls only in an others are retired couples or widows. Housing is located emergency. Absolutely no long distance calls will be allowed throughout Padua, and most students travel to the BU Padua without a calling card. You may receive calls when conven - Academic Center by foot or public transportation. Boarding ient for your host family. in a household is quite common among students and workers in Italy. Laundry You are entitled to have 2 loads of laundry done once a Boston University does not place you in a household with week. Some families will add your clothes to their loads, the expectation that you will become a family member, but others will show you how to do your own. rather to facilitate your language acquisition and to integrate you into Italian society and culture. This living arrangement Keys places you in a hospitable, Italian-speaking environment in The family will provide you with your own set of keys (to be which you live as if you were Italian. In many cases, students returned at the end of the program). If you lose the keys, you form warm and long-lasting friendships with their host are responsible for replacing them. Be very careful to close families. windows and lock doors properly each time you leave, as theft is not uncommon in Padua. In your host family’s home, you will be given your own room and may share the bathroom with the family. In addition, Going Out and Coming Home you will have three dinners per week at home, as well as a You are free to come and go as you would be on your home daily Italian-style breakfast, which usually consists of coffee, campus, but we ask you to be respectful of your host family. tea or milk, a cereal or yogurt, or toast or breakfast cookies. It is very important to let the family know if you are leaving While some families are willing, even eager, to prepare for the weekend or overnight. additional meals, others are not. A few families allow students to use the kitchen to prepare meals for themselves. Visitors You will receive a stipend of 12 euros per day for meals not You are allowed to have visitors only if you have the permis - taken with the family and other daily expenses sion of your hosts. Be aware that the family has the right to such as local transportation. say no. This subject should be discussed when you first move in. Please note that in any case, you cannot have guests overnight. FAMILY HOUSING GUIDELINES Payment of Room and Board Property Damage Once you have paid your Boston University program fee, you You are directly responsible for the repair or replacement of will have to make no additional payments to the family. The any household item you damage or destroy. Boston BU office in Padua will make payments to the families to University declines all responsibility. Failure to settle these cover breakfast everyday and three evening meals per week. charges with your host family prior to departure from the program site will result in appropriate charges being Shower or Bath assessed to your Boston University student account. It may You may take a brief shower or bath once per day. also result in inability to register for courses; inability to have grades assigned; transcript holds; and delays in processing financial aid awards for future semesters.

7 Boston University Study Abroad Padua Parties/Social Gatherings Dietary Restrictions Students are not allowed to hold parties in their living space. Lifestyles that impose dietary restrictions or special To do so may be cause for disciplinary sanctions up to and needs can mean different things to different people. If including expulsion from the program without a refund. you are a vegetarian, does that mean that you do not eat Storing Luggage any red meat, chicken, or fish? Do you eat dairy products and eggs? If you are Jewish, do you eat pork Storage is available at most train stations at your own risk. and/or shellfish? If you keep kosher, does this imply Generally, students cannot store luggage at the BU Padua restrictions on food preparation? Since you will be Academic Center before the program begins or after the eating most of your principle meals in your household, program ends. However, in unusual circumstances, permis - you will want to be as specific as possible in defining sion may be given by the Resident Director on a case-by- your dietary restrictions and needs on your housing case basis. questionnaire. You should also learn to express your needs in Italian before you arrive in Padua and be prepared to explain them to your host. The Housing Coordinator does her best to place students with special Life in Padua dietary restrictions or needs in homes that can accommodate those needs or with hosts who can be flexible with a student preparing his or her own meals. FOOD AND DINING Do be patient as your particular dietary needs or restric - Mense tions may be completely new to your host family. There are mense (cafeterias) throughout the city. All students have access to any of them with valid ID. Some SHOPPING mense are more popular than others, so be prepared to find long lines at the popular ones. The food is very healthy and Markets tasty. You can usually get a full Italian meal, consisting of There are a variety of markets in Padua. The open markets two courses and access to an infinite amount of beer, wine, are the most common place for the Paduani to shop. There and other beverages for 4.00 euros (a great deal!) Keep in is a big fruit and vegetable market every morning and all day mind that mozzarella is a substitute for meat or fish many Saturday in Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza della Frutta. This is times. a great opportunity to grab some fresh produce, but don’t be surprised to get pushed around and yelled at if you are not Restaurants quick and aggressive. Every Saturday there is a big, open There are various kinds of eating places in Italy. Most market in della Valle where you can find shoes, authentic Italian restaurants are expensive, but they clothes, plants, and other goods. During the week and definitely are something you should experience at least once through the holiday season, there are smaller markets in with a group of friends or family. The “full Italian meal” Piazza dei Signori and Capitanato, where you can find consists of five or six courses, including appetizers, il primo almost anything from clothes to kitchenware to little gifts. piatto , il secondo piatto with contorni , salad , fruit , dessert , and For groceries, PAM is very conveniently located in the center coffee. A full lunch or dinner takes two to three hours. In of town. Bigger supermarkets include Eurospar and Centro many restaurants, trattorie and pizzerie , you may get a pizza Giotto (to which you may want to take a bus). Paduani and mineral water and get away with it (a common food support local vendors. They often shop at the “meat and order for a group of students.) Paninoteche and caffé have cheese” market “Sotto il Salone,” which is between Piazza various kinds of ingredients to choose from for having a delle Erbe and Piazza della Frutta in the town’s center. The quick panino . Most Italians drink their coffee in half-a- markets are not only places to shop, but also a way to come minute, while standing, so some caffé will not allow you to together as a community and socialize between weekly sit and drink your coffee without paying extra. Bar usually errands and work. also have snacks and panini . Shops Tipping There are various types of shops in Padua. The first and Bars and restaurants include a service charge on the bill. most common places where Italians shop are the little shops Porters at train stations get a specified amount; rates are owned privately by locals. They have a variety of goods and posted at each station. Hairdressers and barbers also expect generally are priced fairly reasonably, but some can also be a small tip. very expensive, depending on the shop. There are also department stores like UPIM, , Oviese, and Centro- Giotto , a huge mall with over fifty shops and a Eurospar to top it off. The tabacchi shops are convenient shops on every block where you can buy phone cards, stamps, and other

8 Boston University Study Abroad Padua things you need for everyday life. There are also numerous newsstands on corners with daily papers and magazines. Getting to Know Padua Remember that shops and markets in Padua, and Italy in In Padua, you’ll be surrounded by the beauty of general, have different hours than those in the US. For the past, but you’ll also encounter the example, expect to find them closed during siesta times advantages and disadvantages found in all (12:30–3:30 p.m.) and on Sundays. contemporary cities. Getting to know Padua means getting to know its people and how ENTERTAINMENT they live. Some suggestions from past partici - Padua offers a great variety of activities and facilities for you pants: to enjoy, including art galleries, museums, cinemas, theater, and sports events. Many of these events are sponsored by • “When you arrive in Padua, forget all the local music and cultural societies. Check the posters around stereotypes you have of Italy. Welcome Palazzo Bò or pick up a copy of the newspaper il Mattino for Italy and its culture with a fresh, brand new concert and film listings. state of mind.” • “Be ready to throw yourself into a new Social life/night life is quite lively in Padua. Depending on experience. Be prepared to learn a lot.” your interests, there are a variety of social events going on in • Be curious. This is not your culture—take the evening and night time and many choices for entertain - an open approach, and you will gain the ment including cinema, theater, wine bars, and discos. most.

Student Activities/Clubs good during the day and early evening. Some bus lines run Arrangements can be made to join local gyms and various with less frequency on the weekends and holidays. Tickets sports clubs. In the past, students have joined numerous should be purchased from the tabacchi stores and cost 1,20 sports clubs focusing on , hiking, soccer, rugby, euro; sometimes they can be purchased on the bus. Each horseback riding, and . The Università degli studi bus has a box where you insert your ticket to be punched di Padova CUS offers many sports activities. See with the date and the time; you should do this immediately www.cuspadua.com . Plan to check out other cultural when you get on the bus because an inspector could appear societies for additional clubs and events. at any time and ask to see it.

TRANSPORTATION: COMMUNICATION/MAIL GETTING AROUND PADUA Mail Local Transportation and Travel You should receive all mail and packages at the BU Padua While abroad, you should remember that public transporta - Academic Center address where you will have a mailbox. tion is the way the great majority of local residents get Airmail takes at least seven to ten days to get to Padua. around their town and country, and so it should be a part of Boston University will not take responsibility for mail which your experience as well. For that reason, and for reasons of arrives before the start of the program or after the program economy and safety, we strongly discourage students from ends. Mail cannot be forwarded after the end of the renting automobiles or other motorized vehicles while program. abroad. Receiving Packages from Home The city of Padua is well-connected to major cities in the US Priority mail is the most reliable way to receive packages. region. Trains and buses to and from Venice run continu - Avoid using UPS for packages because they charge ously, eighteen hours a day. Trains to Milan, Florence, and astronomical customs fees upon delivery. Please ask the Rome are available throughout the day. sender to use a padded envelope when mailing more than a card or letter and remind your family NOT TO SEND CASH! The households where students live are in Padua. Both the All packages, regardless of method sent, should be marked Università degli studi di Padova and the BU Study Abroad as containing USED ITEMS FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY, and Padua office are in the heart of the center of Padua. You insured at a minimal rate. Otherwise they will get snarled in should expect to use public transportation, which is quite European customs and incur lofty fees that you will have to pay before the package will be released to you. For the same “I feel I’ve learned many valuable lessons. Most reason, it is important to find out about import and export important of all, it has been thrilling to be in Padua and restrictions. Many toiletries, medicines and food from the US cannot be brought or imported into European Union to truly comprehend that there is a whole new and territory. beautiful world outside of America…”

9 Boston University Study Abroad Padua PADUA-AREA HOTELS AND HOSTELS Address All Mail: No overnight guests are allowed in program housing. If Name of Student friends or family members plan to visit you, please consult Boston University the following list and/or websites. Please note that any Boston University Study Abroad, Padua friends or family who wish to visit should do so at the end of Galleria Santa Lucia 1 the program. Accommodations in Padua range from four- 35139 Padua star hotels to small pensions. ITALY Up-to-date hotel information can be found at: www.turistopadua.it or www.paduando.com . Faxes Faxes may be sent to the office; the number (from the US) is Some area accommodations include (information subject to 011-39-049-654-555. change):

Wireless Internet [$$$ – expensive; $$ – moderate; $ – budget] Wireless internet is available at the BU Padua Academic $ Buenos Aires - Via L. Belludi, 37. Center. There are limited numbers of desktop computers for Phone: 39-049-665633; student use. There are some Internet cafés where you can Fax: 39-049-858685. access e-mail and the Internet for an inexpensive hourly fee. $ Igea - Via Ospedale, 87. There are also numerous Aule Studenti and Libraries Phone: 39-049-8750577; thoughout the Università degli Studi di Padova where Fax: 39-049-660865. students, aside from studying, can also access the WiFi $ Mignon - Via Luca Belludi, 22. service once registered. Students will receive more informa - Phone/Fax: 39-049-661722. tion on orientation day. $ S. Antonio - Via S. Fermo, 118. Phone: 39-049-8751393. $ Verdi - Via D. del’Orologio, 7. MEDIA Phone: 39-049-8755744. Newspapers and Other Publications $$ Plaza Hotel - Corso Milano, 40. Padua has two daily newspapers, Il Mattino and Il Gazzetino . Located in the center of Padua. Il Mattino has a daily listing of all Padua events: cinema, Phone: 39-049-656822; theater, music, and even television films. Reading the Fax: 39-049-661117. newspaper is very common in the Italian lifestyle. $$$ Grand’Italia - Corso del Popolo, 81. Located near the train station. Television and Radio Phone: 39-049-8761111; There are eight local television stations in Padua that offer Fax: 39-049-875-0850. news, current affairs, and sports, plus the usual assortment $$$ Majestic Toscanelli - Via del’Arco, 2. of sit-coms, soap operas, and dramas. There are also many Located in the historical center. more national stations since Italy’s television industry was Phone: 39-049-663244; privatized ten years ago, so the number of stations has Fax: 39-049-876-0025. increased from three to over 100 nationally. Many $$$ Methis Hotel - Rivera Paleocapa, 70 households have satellite and cable stations. Phone: 39-049-8725555; Fax: 39-049-8725135. There are also a number of radio stations offering everything from classical to contemporary pop/rock, American music, as well as Italian. OUTSIDE OF PADUA There will be some opportunities for you to travel outside of Padua during the summer through program field trips. You may also opt to travel on your own on the weekends.

10 Boston University Study Abroad Padua Names and Numbers Emergency Telephone Numbers Students experiencing any kind of emergency while overseas should contact the Padua office Boston University Study Abroad directly. Padua Galleria Santa Lucia 1 35139 Padua During weekday office hours: ITALY 011-39-049-650-303 (from the US) 0039-049-650-303 (from within Italy) Phone: 011-39-049-650-303 (from the US) (Program Office) 0039-049-650-303 (from within Italy) Fax: 011-39-049-654-555 (from the US) Weekend and Evening Emergencies: 0039-049-654-555 (from within Italy) 011-39-348-835-3243 (from the US) (Director’s cell phone) Elisabetta Convento, Director E-mail: [email protected] If parents need to contact their children in an emergency, they should call the student’s cell Bonnie Lee Ponthier, Student Affairs Coordinator E-mail: [email protected] phone. If they can’t be reached there, the parent should contact the program staff directly. Elena Zago, Financial and Office Operations E-mail: [email protected] There is a six hour difference between Padua and Eastern daylight time, i.e. when it is 8 a.m. in Boston it is 2 p.m. in Padua.

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