Planning your arrival A.Y 2018/2019
International Student Guide
Piacenza Dear International Student,
Studying in Piacenza can be an exciting and challenging experience that will broaden your social and cultural horizons.
This guide has been carefully designed to provide essential information about courses, documents, student life and practical advice for your stay in Piacenza and your experience at Cattolica.
Further information about your stay at UCSC Piacenza will be provided during the Orientation event. This guide will give you a good idea of what to expect upon arrival.
We hope your visit to UCSC Piacenza will be a positive and enriching experience.
The UCSC International Staff Index > Before you leave home ...... 6 > What to bring to Piacenza ...... 9 > Medical assistance ...... 10 > Accommodation in Piacenza ...... 11 > Studying at Cattolica ...... 15 > Public transportation in Piacenza ...... 17 > How to reach us upon arrival ...... 19 > Residency Permit Requirements ...... 21 > Student life ...... 23 > Living in Piacenza ...... 25 > Money matters ...... 26
> Connecting you ...... 28
4 5 Before you leave home Useful links: Visa > https://travelregistration.state.gov/ Requirements > https://orao.dfat.gov.au Non-EU residents require a visa for any stay longer than three months (90 days). Students need to apply for a student visa at the Italian Embassy or Medical Consulate of their jurisdiction. You will Insurance find below the basic application requirements. However, it is important If you are a national from either that students verify their Consulate’s a EU Member State or an EEA web-site for any additional require- country or you are of Swiss natio- ment: nality, you should have a European ● Original Bachelor Degree Health Insurance Card (EHIC) Italian ● Admission letter issued by UCSC acronym: TEAM, obtained in your ● Passport and Driver’s Licence/ID/ home Country from your national Residency Card healthcare authority. The European ●● Student visa application to be Health Insurance Card (EHIC) allows submitted in person to receive medical treatment in ●● Evidence of financial support another member state for free, or at a (of not less than €430 for every reduced cost. A patient contribution month of the academic year) is required for prescriptions, medical ●● Proof of adequate health insuran- examinations, oral and dental care. ce cover outside your Country Non-EU residents must arrange ●● Flight itinerary International Health Insurance to ●● Proof of accommodation in Italy cover any cost related to medical treatment and admission to hospital. If allowed by the Embassy/Consulate, Travel they can also purchase health cover Registration through the Italian National Health Insurance upon arrival in Piacenza. We strongly advise that you register Please refer to > http:// your contact details online with the www2.waitaly.net/en/ for further Department of Foreign Affairs and details. The cost is of €71 for 6 Trade of your jurisdiction. The details months or €120 for a year. Higher provided will be used in the unlikely levels of cover are also available. case of an emergency. Note: Medical cover is compulsory when applying for the residency permit. 6 7 What to bring to Piacenza Bring receipts of any electrical Pre-departure devices that you have with you, such as laptops, cameras, etc., for travel documentation insurance purposes. check-list ● A valid passport Packing ● A valid student visa (if applicable) ● Travel itinerary/ticket The weather in Piacenza varies ● Travel insurance considerably depending on the ● Health insurance season. December to February are ● Credit cards & other cards the coldest months, but April usually ● Any medical certificates brings nice spring weather. July and ● Admission letter issued by the host August are the hottest months. institution Students on campus generally dress ● At least four colour and original informally, but you may want to passport size photos (3 x 4 cm); they bring something more formal for cannot be scanned. special occasions. You can buy anything you need in Piacenza, so don’t worry if you Documentation forget to pack something. guidelines You will need to buy adapters for Make additional copies of all your your devices. The voltage in Italy documents, certificates, cards etc. and Europe is 220 V. The Italian Keep copies in a safe place in your plug is a two (sometimes three) home Country, and bring the rest round-prongs socket. to Italy. When travelling, remember to keep copies in both your hand luggage and checked-in luggage. Upon arrival keep all documents in a safe place in your apartment.
For further safety measures, scan all your documents, certificates, cards etc. and email them to yourself as attachments.
8 9 Medical Assistance Accommodation in Piacenza Opening hours: Before your arrival in Piacenza, UCSC For further information please visit: Medication Mondays and Wednesdays: International will send you useful > educatt.unicatt.it/educatt-residenza- 3.00pm - 4.00pm information about available options. gasparini-il-collegio You should verify the availability of Fridays: 11.00am - 12.00pm certain drugs in Italy, but we suggest Collegio Sant’Isidoro that you stock up from home on any Residence Halls (on campus) specific medication you may need Location: Room 55, 1st floor during your stay. Check customs Collegio Sant’Isidoro There are two on campus residence The Residence was built in 1995. restrictions for importing medication Strada dell’Anselma, 7 halls and two residence halls in the With 165 single bedrooms, the from outside the E.U, especially anti- 29122 Piacenza town centre. The University also has dorm provides many services, depressant drugs as you do not want Tel. +39 0523 621111 agreements with some real estate including heating, air conditioning, to have your medication taken away agencies that can help students find sports facilities, common study at customs. For safety measures, we the right place to stay charging a rooms, tv room, a Wi-Fi connection, recommend that you ask your reduced fee. private bathroom, room cleaning - General Practioner for a letter Specialists all included in the accommodation indicating the medication you will You have access to off campus Residenza Gasparini fee. Inside the Collegio you will find bring with you. specialists at special student rates: (on campus) the University cafeteria, open to Centro Medico Inacqua students, staff anf Faculty as well as Located right behind the Univer- Via Caffi, 1 (angolo Corso Europa) external guests. Pharmacies sity’s cafeteria lies the on campus 29122 Piacenza Collegio Sant’Isidoro will be closed Residenza Gasparini. With 52 single Many medications that you purchase [email protected] from 23 July to 24 August for the rooms, private ensuite bathrooms over-the-counter in other Countries > www.inacquacentromedico.it summer holidays. are available only with a prescription and three common kitchens, this Please note: only few bedrooms will in Italy. residence is a very comfortable place be set aside for Exchange Students - to stay. The price includes breakfast, for deadlines and info on the Hospitals bed linen, blankets, towels, weekly application procedure please Health Centre at room cleaning and a Wi-Fi contact: If you require more serious medical connection. Residenza Gasparini also Mil Service (Stefano Zaffiro) Cattolica assistance you will need to go to the includes common rooms where you > [email protected] hospital. Remember to always bring a can study and spend your time with For more information please visit: An on campus Health Centre copy of your health insurance with other international students. > collegi.unicatt.it/collegi-collegio- provides all registered students with you. If you need an interpreter, please sant-isidoro-presentazione medical and nursing care as well as contact the International Student Contacts: psychological counselling. Services who can arrange one for Segreteria Operativa Piacenza Collegio Morigi (off campus) & you. EDUCatt Collegio Orsoline (off campus) > [email protected] Alternatively, you can apply for a Tel. +39 0523 621111 private room at one of the other Fax: +39 0523 579416 student residences. For information about the application procedure and deadlines please refer to:
10 11 Segreteria Operativa Piacenza EDU- Temporary lodgings Catt > [email protected] Bed and Breakfast L’Antica Torre Tel. +39 0523 621111 Str. La Motta Vecchia, 31 - 29122 Fax: +39 0523 579416 Montale (PC) Tel/Fax: +39 0523 615267 Mobile: +39 392 3958926 - +39 Real Estate Agencies 348 4590725 > http://www.solo-bed-and- If you prefer to stay in a private breakfast.com/beb.asp?id=1300 apartment, we suggest that you book a room in a hotel or hostel for a few Mulino degli Orti B&B days and make an appointment with Via Colombo, 120 - 29122 one of the Real Estate Agencies that Piacenza support our international students: > Tel. +39 0523 614272 > [email protected] Casa IN > www.mulinodegliorti.it Emanuela Anglani (English speaking) Via Tansini 35/C - 29122 Piacenza Ostello Don Zermani Tel. +39 339 4297746 Via Zoni, 38/40 - 29121 Piacenza > [email protected] > Tel. +39 0523 712319 > www.casainpiacenza.it > www.collegiodipiacenza.it/it/ donzermani/donzermani.htm Invest S.R.L. Roberta Sarti Ostello Papa Giovanni XXIII Via Mazzini 31-33 – 29121 Piacenza Cantone San Nazzaro 2/A - 29122 Tel +39 0523 384842 Piacenza > [email protected] Tel. +39 0523 337989 > [email protected] > www.ostellodipiacenza.it > www.investimmobiliare.eu > [email protected] Piacenza Affitti Hotel Petit Tel. +39 347 6990669 Via Pennazzi, 5 - 29122 Piacenza > [email protected] Tel. +39 0523 590405 > [email protected] Tecnocasa > www.hotelpetit.it Ms. Umbra Carini (English speaking) Tel. +39 366-2535166 Euro Hotel > [email protected] Via Cristoforo Colombo, 29/F > www.tecnocasa.it 29100 Piacenza Tel. +39 0523 606 011 Once you arrive in Piacenza, you can > [email protected] also look at the ads on the notice boards located inside the University building (close to the café) or inside Collegio Sant'Isidoro.
12 13 Hotel City Mobile +39 348 6376766 Via Emilia Parmense, 54 - > [email protected] 29122 Piacenza Studying at Cattolica Tel. +39 0523 579752 Casa Scalabrini - Collegio di Piacenza > www.hotelcitypc.it Mrs Stefania Via Francesco Torta, 14 -29122 Piacenza Bed and Breakfast Giò Tel. +39 0523 348621 The Italian Italian Language Via Croce 10 - 29121 Piacenza > [email protected] Grading System course Tel. +39 327 2892814 or > https://www.casascalabrini.it/casa- +39 340 5252402 piacenza/ The Italian Grading System ranges Your program may already include a > [email protected] from 18/30 to 30/30. compulsory Italian Language Course. > www.bedandbreakfastgio.com If this is not your case and you are The highest mark is 30/30 cum particularly interested in improving Casa del Viaggiatore laude (with distinction). your language skills, UCSC Mr Leo Balestrazzi International organises an Italian Stradone Farnese 63/a 29121 All the exams under 18/30 are con- Language and Culture Course every Piacenza sidered a “fail” and they are not semester. reported on the final Transcript of Tel. +39 0523 1996230 To find out more about the course Records. > www.casadelviaggiatore.eu and the application procedure, please visit our website: 1 ECTS corresponds to 1 CFU (Credi- > www.ucscinternational.it/student- to Formativo Universitario). services-at-cattolica/students- services-piacenza-cremona/ italian-language-culture-course-in- Orientation piacenza-cremona Events
There will be an Orientation and Welcome event for Every Master's program. You will receive details before the start.
14 15 Public transportation in Piacenza Bus Bike
Buses number 2 and 3 stop outside Sharing “Mi Muovo in Bici!” the University (front entrance). Piacenza bike sharing service involves Fares (subject to change): the main towns of the Emilia- ● Single: €1,50 Romagna region. To benefit from the ● Multi-ride pass: €8 (6 rides/ service, you will have to register individual - it cannot be shared) online. You will receive your personal ● Multi-ride pass: €12 (10 rides/ electronic card directly at your Italian personal- it cannot be shared and it address in Piacenza. must report name and photo I.D.-the first time you purchase this ticket you You can choose between: must pay an additional €5 for the card) ●● Daily pass: €5 ● Multi-ride pass that you can share ● Annual pass: €25 (+ daily costs) with other passengers on the same ● ride: €15 (12 rides) Daily costs:
● SETA/bus company I.D. card: €5 ●● First 30 minutes: free of charge ● Student one-month pass: €32 ●● every 30 minutes: €0.80 ● Student 12-month pass: €240/260 ●● more than 3 hours: €2/hour > www.mimuovoinbici.it/ You can purchase the SETA ID card from the SETA ticket office in via Hire or buy a bike Colombo 3 - Piacenza. You will need the following: Alternatively, you can hire a bike at the Railway Station, or buy a bike at ●● passport-size photograph any bike shop. ●● tax code Hire fees: ●● passport or ID card ●● €1,20/hour For information on timetables and ●● €3,50/day routes: ●● €30/month > www.setaweb.it/azienda/index. > www.comune.piacenza.it/temi/ php?azienda=pc muoversi/in-bici/noleggio-biciclette
13 16 17 Bike shop near the University campus: Ciclo Point Piacenza How to reach us upon arrival Via Caduti sulla strada, 37/A - Piacenza By plane By train Taxi Here follows a list of the closest From Milan Central Station take a train airports to Piacenza: to Piacenza. Shuttle buses to Central ●● Radiotaxi Piacenza: station are also available from all Milan Aeroporto di Orio al Serio +39 0523 591919 airports. (Bergamo) ●● Radiotaxi Night: Please check the train timetable at: 110km from Piacenza +39 348.448.5155 > http://www.trenitalia.com/tcom-en > http:// www.milanbergamoairport.it/en/ From Piacenza Railway Station take bus For more information please visit no. 2 or 3 to 'Università'. > radiotaxipiacenza.blogspot.it/ Aeroporto di Linate (Milano) Please check timetable at: 65 km from Piacenza > http://www.setaweb.it/pc/linee#pc1 > http://www.milanolinate- airport.com/en You can also catch a taxi outside Piacenza Railway Station or call the Aeroporto di Malpensa (Milano) following numbers: 120 km from Piacenza Radio Taxi: 0523.591919 > http://www.milanomalpensa- Night hours - Taxi service: +39 airport.com/en 348.4485155 The average taxi fare from the station to UCSC is about €10 (during the day) and By car a little higher at night. Coming from the A1 Highway towards Bologna, take the 'Piacenza Sud' exit.
Stay on the 'tangenziale' (ringroad) and follow for San Lazzaro/ Università.
19 18 19 Residency permit requirements
Non-EU residents require a visa if The admission letter issued by UCSC their stay is longer than three ● A copy of your health insurance months (90 days). Within eight (8) days from your arrival in Italy you are ● A Marca da Bollo (revenue stamp) of required to submit the application €16 that you can purchase upon for a Permesso di Soggiorno arrival in any Tobacconist shop. (Residency Permit) which will be issued by the local police (Questura). ● You address in Piacenza, including You will require the following docu- the zip code. ments: ● An Application Form ('yellow kit')- available from any Post Office or The total amount of fees you will have from UCSC International Office. to pay is €116.46 (subject to change).
● Your passport After submitting the form at any Post ● The photocopy of every page of Office, you will be given a receipt. your passport (one copy per page) Please keep it in a safe place as proof of your application. Four recent and identical passport size photos ● Your VISA documentation and any A special orientation session will be letter issued and stamped by the organised to assist you with the Embassy/Consulate (bring additional Application forms. copies)
20 21 Student life
Being an Exchange student is a life ● Language meetings changing experience not only from ● International dinners an academic point of view, but also ● Trips from a social, cultural and personal ● Aperitivo/drinks perspective. ● Cultural events Adapting to a different culture can ● Sports activities be exciting yet sometimes ● City tours challenging. ● Nights out
UCSC International Office, together Useful links: with SMINT, the International Student UCSC International FB page: Association at UCSC Piacenza, will > www.facebook.com/Study-in- assist you from the moment you Piacenza-at-Universit%C3%A0- arrive in Piacenza and throughout Cattolica-del-Sacro- your stay. Cuore-242177345824590/
Some of the activities organised SMINT - student association: throughout the semester include: SMINT Facebook page: > www.facebook.com/ smintunicatt/
22 23 Living in Piacenza Piacenza is a quiet yet dynamic town. Piacenza is an ideal place to visit the People ride their bike everywhere. rest of Italy and Southern Europe. Its The essence of Piacenza is as true strategic location makes it very easy to today as in centuries past. hop on a train to Milan or Rome or drive to the Mediterranean Riviera. Piacenza - from 'placentia': pleasing, welcoming - is a beautiful town, rich Useful links: in history and hidden culture, that › http://www.trenitalia.com/tcom-en tourists rarely manage to fully › www.comune.piacenza.it discover. › www.visitpiacenza.it/ › http://www.castellidelducato.it/? Piacenza is a typical Italian town lang=EN featuring cobbled streets, piazzas and theatres. In the surrounding countryside, rivers, castles and hills are the perfect location for a pic-nic on the week-end or for local food and wine tasting in the many restaurants or festivals organised throughout the year.
24 25 Money matters When withdrawing money from an Books: € 200 ATM beware of people around you. Local Transportation: € 200 We advise that you preferably use ATM machines inside banks rather *Costs may vary depending on than the ones along the street. individual cirumstances. Avoid, whenever possible, ATM ** The University will provide you machines in or around railway with a student card (badge) which stations. allows students to access the If you plan on opening a bank cafeteria at discounted prices. account or renting an apartment you Full meal: €7.70 will need a Codice Fiscale (tax code). Light meal (formula lunch): €5 This card is issued by 'Agenzia delle Entrate' - Via Modonesi 16-Piacenza, Bring your I.D. and a copy of your Average food cost (per item): Visa if you are not an E.U. student. ● Pizza + Beer: €15 Tel. +39 0523 601 211 ● Movie ticket: €8 Opening hours: ● Gelato (ice-cream): €3 Monday-Friday: 8.45am- 12.45pm ● Panino (filled sandwich): €5 Mondays and Thursdays: 8.45am - ● Caffè (coffee): € 1.50 12.45pm and 2.45pm - 4.45pm
Average costs (per semester)
Accommodation*: € 2,400 to €3,300 Food**: €650 to € 1,000 Personal expenses: €200 to €400 per month
26 27 Connecting you Mail Telephone
To locate a post office look for the The most convenient way to keep in yellow and blue PT sign. For mailing touch with your new Italian friends cost information please refer to the and family back home is the mobile Italian Post web-site: phone. You can purchase an > www.poste.it unlocked GSM phone back home and get an Italian SIM card at If you need to mail important a provider of your choice, such as documents we advise that you send TIM, Vodafone or Wind. them by registered post or courier, or through express mail services, such as Only triband and quadband phones DHL, UPS or FedEx. Receiving will work in Europe. Check with your packages from the US via priority mail home cell phone service provider to can cost a lot in terms of taxes. Postal find out if your current mobile phone & customs taxes are very high (once unlocked) can support a depending on the weight and the foreign SIM card. Once in Italy, you value of the content. may look into signing up for a plan or simply getting a pre-paid/ Please note that if you are going to rechargeable service. If you do not get packages delivered to our office, have a GSM phone purchased at this is the procedure you are required home you may also buy one at a to follow: reasonable cost once in Italy.
1. Inform us that you are expecting a package at our office and the estimated delivery date.
2. Since our office is not authorised to keep cash you are kindly requested to leave with us the cash amount you are supposed to pay at least a couple of days before the expected delivery date. Please note that if you don’t respect this procedure, UCSC International will not accept the package and it will be sent back to the central post office (close to Linate Airport).
28 29 UCSC International Office Piacenza-Cremona Campus Via Emilia Parmense, 84 29122 Piacenza (PC) Italy
Tel: +39 0523 599 106 Fax: +39 0523 599 441 > [email protected] > http://www.ucscinternational.it/