Tunisia and Italy: Politics and Religious Integration in the Mediterranean Fall 2019
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Tunisia and Italy: Politics and Religious Integration in the Mediterranean Fall 2019 TABLE OF CONTENTS COUNTRY OVERVIEW .......................................... 3 General Information ............................................ 3 Climate and Geography ...................................... 3 Local Customs .................................................... 4 Diet ..................................................................... 4 Safety, Security, and Health ................................ 5 Homestays .......................................................... 6 Other Accommodations ....................................... 6 Transportation ..................................................... 7 Communication ................................................... 7 Phones and E-mail .............................................. 7 Mailings............................................................... 8 Money ................................................................. 8 Visitors and Free Time ........................................ 9 PACKING GUIDELINES ....................................... 10 LUGGAGE ........................................................ 10 Clothing Guidelines ........................................... 10 Equipment ......................................................... 10 Computers and Other Electronics ..................... 11 Gifts .................................................................. 11 What You Can and Cannot Obtain in Country ... 11 Alumni Contacts ................................................ 12 PACKING LIST ..................................................... 13 Clothing............................................................. 13 Women ............................................................. 13 Men ................................................................... 13 Travel Documents ............................................. 13 Health/Toiletries ................................................ 13 Other Important Items ....................................... 13 Optional ............................................................ 13 SIT Study Abroad - 2 Country Overview and Packing Guidelines4/5/2019 COUNTRY OVERVIEW English, are spoken mainly by the educated younger generations. GENERAL INFORMATION Tunisia is situated in the eastern part of North Palermo, Italy will be very similar to Tunisia due to Africa. Its recorded history goes back at least three their geographical proximity. Food, climate, millennia, with the foundation of Phoenician transportation, and customs will all be comparable, colonies, the most famous of which was Carthage, obviously there will be differences, but you will have established in 814 BC. Modern Tunisians are the the opportunity to observe how each culture has descendants of indigenous Berber as well as of influenced the other. numerous Mediterranean and European peoples: Phoenicians, Romans, Vandals, Arabs, Ottoman Turks, and French. Tunisia was a French Protectorate from 1881 until independence in 1956, and it has retained close political, economic, and cultural ties with France and its southern European neighbors. In 1957, Tunisia became a republic with a president elected for five years and a bicameral legislative apparatus. Tunisia is a leader in the Arab and Muslim world in promoting modern state institutions, universal education for both sexes, and the legal and social rights of women. It is perhaps due to these progressive policies that Tunisian people (and CLIMATE AND GEOGRAPHY especially the younger generation) made the first Tunisian climate is Mediterranean, which basically civil and liberal revolution in the Arab World, whose means two long seasons: one extending from domino effect has successfully toppled the Mubarak October to April and tends to be mild and wet; the dictatorship in Egypt and is at present shaking other from May to September and is habitually warm Libya, Syria, and Yemen. and dry. Fall and spring are brief transitional Post-revolutionary Tunisia is an exciting place to be, seasons. Tunisians call a winter day “cold” when the observe, and study, for the challenges facing the temperature is 10° C (50º F); this may be due to the nascent democracy willed by the 14 January elevated air moisture, especially in coastal areas. Revolution are numerous, not least of which is the It is not uncommon for the temperature in July and threat of radical Islamism. So, again, the way August to rise above 40° C (above 100º F). When Tunisian people and state institutions steer the the temperature reaches this level, direct sun democratic transition and the increased moderation exposure is to be avoided at all costs between 10 of the Islamic party, Ennahdha, are of paramount am and 5 pm. importance, not merely for the country itself, but for the Arab World generally, as the “Tunisian model,” if Mediterranean weather is sometimes described as successful, may serve for future democratic the kind of weather that is too hot for apples and too experiences in the region. cold for bananas. The weather in Palermo will be very similar to the climate in Tunisia, as they are Nearly all Tunisians (98%) are Muslims. There is, geographically so close to each other. however, a sizable historic Jewish community on the island of Djerba and in the capital. There is also a Rainfall, though unpredictable and variable from small Christian community dispersed throughout the year to year, is more abundant in the northern parts country. Arabic is the official language, but French is of the country, including the capital (75-85 widely spoken, and other languages, including SIT Study Abroad - 3 Country Overview and Packing Guidelines4/5/2019 inches/year), than in the southern desert, where all SIT programs, we cannot separate food and many months may pass before a drop is seen. Fall eating communally (including with your host family) thunderstorms, occurring typically in September and from the program experience. Please consider local October, are spectacular. diet seriously when selecting your program of choice. Your admissions counselor is a great Tunis, Tunisia: resource in better understanding the local diet. AVERAGE HIGH/LOW TEMPERATURES (°F) Participating in the local food culture is a central JAN FEB MAR APR MAY aspect of daily life in Tunisia. Special or restricted 61/45 63/46 64/48 70/50 77/55 diets may not always be fully understood by your host family, although they may have previously AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC hosted a student with similar dietary restrictions. By 91/70 86/66 79/61 68/52 63/46 trying to replicate your diet at home you may miss out on an important part of your host culture. Palermo, Italy: Tunisian food is by and large Mediterranean: pasta AVERAGE HIGH/LOW TEMPERATURES (°F) varieties with a preponderance of fish, vegetables, MAR APR SEP OCT and olive oil. The food in Italy will be very similar. 61/52 64/55 81/72 73/66 Fruit, when in season, is plentiful and affordable. The staple diet for the vast majority of Tunisians is couscous, which may come with meat, fish, or simply vegetables. Tunisians insist on three meals a day, and traditionally, lunch has more importance LOCAL CUSTOMS than in the US. Vegetarians will encounter only Tunisian mothers tend to over-feed their children nominal problems adhering to their diet in Tunisia. and guests. She will insist that you try at least a little Our host families may be able to accommodate a bit of everything that she places on the table, and it vegetarian diet, but restaurants, especially during is regarded as good manners to accept. If you finish educational excursions, may be less willing to do so. what is on your plate, you will be served again Vegans, though, may encounter more difficulties. because your gesture will be interpreted as if you Both vegans and vegetarians should bear in mind are still hungry. To signify that you have no more that tofu and soy milk, for instance, are rare and desire for food, leave a morsel or two on your plate. expensive commodities when available. Also, in Tunis, there are a few places that serve kosher food products, and one or two Jewish restaurants not far DIET from the SIT office location. Special Diets: Many Tunisians like their food spicy hot; this is SIT Study Abroad provides experiential learning achieved by adding a condiment composed of a opportunities where students become embedded in mixture of spices called harissa (crushed red hot their host community. As such, we strive to chili pepper, garlic, and various spices, etc.). If you accommodate serious food allergies where possible, are averse to it, you may ask the waiter in but simply cannot ensure that all dietary restrictions restaurants or your host family to remove harissa or non-medically mandated diets can be from your portion. accommodated. Note: if you have special dietary needs, including Students are encouraged to participate in the local allergies, please inform our office prior to the start of food culture as a central aspect of daily life. By your program. We will advise you on realistic trying to replicate your diet at home you may miss expectations about avoiding or incorporating certain out on an important part of your host culture. Due to foods within the program context. the unique living and learning community central to SIT Study Abroad - 4 Country Overview and Packing Guidelines4/5/2019 SAFETY, SECURITY, AND that are candid, designed to elicit a genuine discussion, but they may be calculated to provoke HEALTH and antagonize. Our general advice is to avoid