Posted by forex at 1:58 AM
Read our previous post
Becoming a Foreign Exchange Student in Italy
1. Go to your guidance counselor or study abroad office on campus, if you are a student. This should always be your first resource as schools will usually offer programs or affiliate programs that will easily transfer. Trying to get credits you earned abroad to reflect on your American transcript after the fact can be a huge headache, so it's best to avoid that, if possible.
2. Decide what you want to study in Italy. There are many programs in English, and you are not limited to studying only the Italian language. Are you looking to study archaeology, fashion, history or art? Your study abroad office or guidance counselor will likely be able to help you narrow your choice of study.
3. Start doing research on other programs if you're not in school or not satisfied with your school's offerings. One great place to get you started on your search is www.studyabroad.com/italy.html. This provides a great deal of information on several different programs offered in Italy. Make sure you research the programs carefully. Ask to get in touch with an alumnus of the program and ask them questions about their experiences to help you decide. When you've decided on one you like, bring it in to your Italian adviser or academic adviser. They can help you figure out if the company is legitimate and help you choose courses that will transfer to your home institution. Choosing courses without consulting your school can result in loss of transfer credits, delayed graduation and generally a lot of headaches.
4. Find out about housing options. Many programs will offer you the choice of staying with an Italian family or staying in a dorm with students of all nationalities. Both situations have their pros and cons, so it is important to decide what is best for you before making your decision. Some programs will exclusively offer one choice or the other. This can be a huge factor in deciding which program to go with.
5. Apply for a passport as soon as you know you're going to be leaving the country. This will be instrumental in securing your visa. The U.S. State Department (www.travel.state.gov/passport/) offers detailed information on how and where to get your passport.
6. Purchase your plane ticket. It is a necessary step in securing your visa. This can be relatively expensive, so you'll want to choose wisely. Some airlines will offer discounts for young people, so be sure to shop around and enter your age if the airline carrier asks when quoting you a price. Many student-centric travel agencies will also offer deep discounts on Eurail Passes to students, so you can enjoy exploring Italy and surrounding countries during your breaks.
7. Locate your local Italian consulate. Italy requires students to have a visa even if staying for less than 90 days. Some consulates will require you apply in person. Visit the Italian embassy's website and click on 'Visas' for more information (www.ambwashingtondc.esteri.it/ambasciata_washington). Your host school or study abroad program should provide you with some of the necessary documents and be able to instruct you on how to fill it out, although you will have to mail them in yourself or visit the consulate independently.
8. Figure out your finances. This will be important when obtaining your visa. The consulate will ask that you supply a proof of savings or that relatives or a study grant will be giving you at least 350.57 euros per month while you are living in Italy. It is important to know the current exchange rate of the euro to the U.S. dollar, as this changes very frequently. Remember, the cost of living can vary widely between cities and the countryside, just like in the United States. It is important to take that into account.