Summer Grad Program Pre-Departure Orientation

1. Summer Grad Program Pre-Departure Orientation Consortium of Universities for International Studies

2. The program begins soon!! Are you ready? Here are some hints to help you prepare for your trip…

3. 1 – 2 Months before your trip…

4. Taking care of details • Do you have a passport? • Do you need a visa? -Not if you are a U.S. citizen • Have you checked your VIP Page? • Have you submitted all of your forms? • Make plan for bills/other financial issues

5. 1 – 2 Weeks before you leave…

6. Packing What to bring • Converter/adaptor • Beware: Hairdryers and hair straighteners tend to fry even with a converter. • The better the quality the more chance it will fry • School supplies (notebook and pen) • Types of clothing (what you normally wear to class) • Appropriate dress for various occasions • Business professional for class presentations and tours • Dressy clothing for gourmet dinner • Prescriptions (cannot be shipped so be sure to bring enough) • Travel and Living Guide

7. 1 – 2 weeks before the trip Money Issues Currency • Know the exchange rate (1EUR = $?) • Bring some Euros with you if possible (Order in advance from your bank) Debit cards and credit cards • Ask about international fees • Let your bank and credit card company know that you will be out of the country • Make copies of cards and leave with parents • Bring phone numbers for bank/credit card companies in case of emergency

8. 1 – 2 weeks before the trip Other tips • Make copies of all important items (passport, credit cards, bank cards, etc.) • Leave some copies at home with someone, bring copies with you

9. Day of Departure

10. Day of Departure • Arrive 2-3 hours ahead of scheduled departure • Make sure you have necessary documents: Passport, tickets, etc. • Carryon bag • Change of clothes • Essentials • (Money, medications, a good book, etc.)

11. Arrival in Italy

12. Entry into Italy • As an American citizen, you are allowed to travel in Europe for 90 days as a Tourist • If the border security asks why you are in Italy, you tell them you are a tourist

13. Making Your Way to Campus Purchase a bus ticket for the Venice-Mestre Train Station at the ATVO booth in the Marco Polo Airport Buy a bus ticket at the airport at an ATVO Ticket Station ATVO Bus Stop – Get onto bus to Mestre train station

14. Making Your Way to Campus Walk Into the Train Station Mestre Train Station

15. Making Your Way to Campus Once at Venice-Mestre, purchase a train ticket for Castelfranco, Veneto. Station “Lobby” Schedule Board – Look for Castelfranco Check for departure time and bin (platform) number

16. Making Your Way to Campus Validate your ticket before getting on the train.

17. Making Your Way to Campus Once you arrive in Castelfranco, you will need to take a taxi to Asolo (where the campus is located). Cost of taxis range from $25-40.

18. You’ve Made it to Campus! • Check in • Get your room assignment (2-4 people per room) • Unpack • Attend welcome/orientation in the evening • Get some rest, it will be a busy week!!!

19. Get to Know the Italy Staff • Program Director : Dr. Al Ringleb • Associate Director: Cristina Turchet • Office Manager: Margherita Lago

20. Taking Classes in Italy - FAQs • How are the classes scheduled? • You will be in class all morning and on most afternoons (SSI will have one afternoon off each week) • Do I need to bring my books with me? • No, you will receive them upon arrival • Will I have to do assignments over the travel breaks? • No (as long as you are keeping up during the week) • Do I have to go to class? • Yes, you must go to class

21. Da Vinci Challenge – Low Ropes Course, Only for IPC students in SSI • Use problem solving and decision making skills • Explore leadership behavior • Get to know your classmates • Team work skills

22. Behavior and Safety • Low crime rate in Italy, mainly theft • Be aware of your surroundings • Don’t give into the “ugly American” stereotype! • Represent your home university and CIMBA well while you’re abroad

23. Living in Asolo

24. The Campus • Students stay in the “castle” • Can request roommate (2-4 roommates) • Private baths • Breakfast on site • Lunch catered in • Dinner at local restaurants • Computer lab • WiFi on entire campus • Laundry send away service • Can be expensive (approximately 10-15 Euro per load) • Classrooms on site Asolo Graduate Facility

25. The Campus

26. Communication • Skype • Talk over the internet • Computer to computer free • Computer to landline or cell phone small fee • E-mail • Computer lab on campus • WiFi • Post office • Within walking distance to campus

27. Travel Opportunities • SSI • 3 long weekends • SSII and SSIII • 1.5 days for sightseeing • Exploring Italy and surrounding countries!

28. Other Necessities Pharmacy There is a nurse on the undergraduate campus and doctors are available if needed. There is a pharmacy in town, but plan to bring all medications with you. Weather Temperatures range from 50 degrees to 100 degrees Fahrenheit (summer). Facility is not air conditioned.

29. Popular Travel Destinations in Italy Cinque Terre: Northwestern coast of Italy Rome: Southern Italy - 8 hours by train Florence: Central Italy - 4 hours by train Pisa: 1 hour from Florence Venice: 1.5 hours by train Lake Como: 1 hour by train from Milan

30. Useful Websites • www.sta.com (airline & train info) • www.ryanair.com (cheap flights in Europe) • www.landnet.it (info about Paderno) • www.trenitalia.com (Italian train info) • www.veniceairport.it (Marco Polo Airport) • www.cimbaitaly.com (our website)

31. Have a great time!!! Contact Information Leslie Hazlett lhazlett@ku.edu 785-864-7526