NYU FlorenceFall 2013 Pre-departure Orientation

Cinque Domande Veloci

Five Quick Questions

What is the color of the Florence soccer team?

Fiorentina - Viola

What common ingredient is absent in Tuscan bread?

Salt

What famous bridge currently known for selling high end jewelry, was originally home to the city’s butchers?

Ponte Vecchio

How many statues of Michelangelo’s David are in Florence?

At least three . . . .

What is NYU Florence?

A renowned center for international learning and exchange

Each semester roughly 350 NYU and visiting students, freshman to graduate level

Courses are taught by outstanding local and visiting scholars

57-acre estate Staff provides a full range of

student support services Classes incorporate on-site

learning, lectures, performances, and participation in international conferences

Villa UliviAcademic Support

ClassroomsLibraryCafe

Villa NataliaStudent LifeDormitory

Villa CollettaDormitoryClassrooms

Villa La PietraArt Collection

ClassroomFormal Gardens

Graduate ProgramImmigration Office

Villa SassettiConference CenterLa Pietra Dialogues

Global Research Initiative

Classrooms

What is on campus?

Who is NYU Florence?

Ellyn ToscanoExecutive Director

Lisa CesaraniAssistant Director for

Academic Affairs

Mary BarberaAssistant Director for

Student Life

Sabrina MelilloImmigration and Facilities Coordinator

AND MANY OTHERS!

Academics: florence.academicsupport@nyu.edu, Student Life: florence.studentlife@nyu.edu

Alexa FarahProgramming Coordinator

What will I study?

The Liberal Studies Core of Writing, Social Foundations, and Cultural Foundations, as well as Italian Language

Students will be registered for their coursework by Liberal Studies

Average class size is 16 students All students must study Italian language

(cannot be taken pass/fail) All students must enroll in Global

Encounters: Italian Society and Culture Coursework is rigorous; attendance is

expected and required; absences will negatively affect grades

All course textbooks are available at local bookstores or through campus library

Global Encounters: Italian Culture and SocietyWhat is the course about?

•Creates a common community building experience for all students on NYU Global Study Away programs

•Introduces key historical, social and cultural issues in Italy today

•Provides a basis to understand and explore these issues

How does it work?

•Four cluster groups•Five group discussions•Two papers•Series of program sponsored events, lectures, & conferences

Where will I attend class?

On campus, in classrooms or in the historic art collection and gardens of Villa La Pietra

In Florence’s historic center, exploring museums, churches, theaters, government buildings, and archives All students receive a museum card

providing free access to all state museums

Outside of Florence, in locations throughout Italy Courses frequently include Friday,

Saturday, or Sunday day trips or weekend excursions

Plan personal travel only after consulting your syllabi

Costs are included in tuition

Where will I study? On Campus

Villa Ulivi Library Open Monday through Friday

Sunday hours

Campus Lounges with Wi-Fi Villa Natalia

Villa Sassetti

Villa Ulivi Café

Computer Labs with Printers Villa Natalia

Villa Ulivi

Villa Sassetti

Off Campus British Institute Library Biblioteca delle Oblate Bibioteca Marucelliana Palazzo Giovane

La Pietra Dialogues Convenes some of the world’s foremost

scholars, policy makers, practitioners, business leaders, public intellectuals and artists to confront critical issues of contemporary society

Provides students unique access to distinguished guests on campus through small group meetings, breakfasts, and workshops that promote one-on-one interaction

Runs work study and volunteer programs that involve students in the development and organization of events

Features student work – writing, photography, etc. – on the LPD website

Get involved and volunteer with LPD : lapietra.dialogues@nyu.edu

How do I get involved?

Attend lectures and events

Volunteer at LPD

Participate in community service Teach in schools, lead tours of monuments,

assist the elderly and disabled, coach youth sports, participate in city-wide clean ups and food drives, etc.

Start a club Creative Writing, Studio Arts, Philosophy,

Culinary, Knitting, Running, etc.

Participate in student life activities Day trips, cooking lessons, theater and sports

events, museum visits, residence life programming

Federal Work Study 20-25 positions available

throughout the campus

La Pietra Dialogues 4 Work Study positions

Core group of volunteers

Community Service Weekly commitments

Large-scale events

Can I work or volunteer?

What’s the city like? Dynamic international learning

community Capital of Tuscany, most populated

city in the region – 380,000 Unesco World Heritage Site attracting

visitors from all over the world Seat of one of Italy’s most prestigious

universities Home to the EU’s only university and

historic archives Founded by the Romans, birthplace of

the Renaissance, one-time capital of Italy

World class center for fine and performing arts, both historical and contemporary

What do I need to do before I get there? Read all How Tuesday Newsletters Get your visa Submit all required forms by June 15th Book your flight & submit flight details to

NYU Traveler by June 15th Register with the Moses Center (if applicable)

How do I pay my bill? E-bills ONLY, sent to NYU email address Fall 2013 bills are generated in July You can authorize a parent or other

individual to have access to your E-bill Payment is made directly to the Bursar Estimated Housing Charge will be posted

on E-bill and must be paid in full prior to arrival

The estimated housing charge is a “placeholder charge” until assignments are finalized

Once housing placements are made, the E-bill is adjusted, resulting in either a credit or a charge, which appears within 2-3 weeks after the start of the program

Questions? Visit the NYU Bursar Web-site for details

How will I afford everything?

Most students use their credit and debit cards – exchange rates are favorable, but contact your bank about fees

Figure out how much money you will have Working abroad may not be an option; how

much can you save before going?  Consider ALL of your expenses

Airfare, food, toiletries, medicine, laundry, spring break trips, activities, etc.

Checks are not accepted and traveler’s checks are difficult and expensive to cash

Be aware of the exchange rate and fees for currency conversion http://www.xe.com

What should I pack? Suggested items

Back pack for weekend trips and groceries Plug adapters Battery-operated travel alarm clock Any medication you need (and copies of the

prescription written in the generic term) Comfortable shoes Camera (with battery charger) Toiletries you love – the brands may be different

or expensive abroad Leave it home

Linens Kitchen utensils Appliances (e.g. hairdryer) Electricity converter – they don’t work!

Contact your airline before you pack to find out luggage restrictions

Put passport, immigration documents, medication, and valuables (e.g. laptop, camera) in your CARRY-ON luggage

Are your computer files backed up? Consider bringing an external hard drive.

When do I have to be there? LS students must arrive on August 26th and

complete check-in LS Academic Orientation and Freshman

Welcome is on August 27th (the date the upperclassmen arrive)

Mandatory All Student Orientation held on August 28th: Includes the entire Florence student body!

Students must check out of housing by noon on December 13th

If you arrive earlier or depart later than program dates, you must find your own accommodations and are responsible for your immigration status. No exceptions!

Arrival and Check-in Check-in is historically 9:00am to 6:00pm

(it’s best to arrive in the morning) Arrival Cheat Sheet with shuttle times

will be available prior to arrival Staff will be at the Florence Airport

(Peretola) during shuttle times Transportation from the check-in location

to housing is carried out only within official check-in hours

Students arriving at other airports, by train, or outside of set times are on their own, including transportation to campus (taxi €20-25) and then to their living situation (€15-20) – cash in Euros only

It may be several hours before students will be able to contact family; let family know!

Orientation

Orientation is for students, though there is a parent reception on August 27th

Orientation activities continue through the weekend

Mandatory sessions are on academics, policies, health and safety, and housing

Optional sessions include tours of neighborhoods, the campus, and local transportation; an information fair; workshops on community service, work study, advising, LPD, living LGBTQ in Florence, travel; mixers, etc.

Activities include City Sightseeing Tours, an Information Fair and more!

Classes start on Thursday, Aug. 29th

Where will I live? All students must live in NYU Florence housing Assignments are based on submissions to the

Study Away Confirmation Portal and availability Single rooms are limited Meal plan required for On-Campus housing:

includes breakfast and dinner; the cafeteria is also open for lunch but students pay out of pocket for midday meals

Actual housing prices are available online and via Study Away Confirmation Portal

Housing assignments are sent to students’ NYU e-mail accounts 2 weeks before check-in

Housing is not provided after check-out day Academic Year students do not have access to

housing between Fall and Spring semesters

On-Campus Housing Villa Natalia and Villa Colletta

24/7 Gate Security and Reception Bedrooms with en suite (Natalia) or communal

(Colletta) bathrooms Meal Plan: breakfast and dinner daily Lunch a la carte on weekdays (not included in

the meal plan) Communal refrigerators, sink, microwave Cleaning and linens service (sheets, towels,

blankets, pillows provided but bring a towel – not white - for travel)

Coin-operated laundry machines Exercise room Air-conditioning Computer labs Ethernet in the rooms, Wireless in common areas Overnight guests not permitted

What should I do about guests?

My mom, dad, brother-in-law, sister, boyfriend, grandmother, step-grandfather, girlfriend, best friend, cousin, neighborhood is going to visit me…

They cannot stay with you due to legal restrictions – tell them in advance A hotel list is available on the Florence

blog or through the Office of Student Life – you can stay with your guests in the hotel, if you’d like, but hotels will charge

Schedule visits around fall break and/or Italian holidays

How will I meet people? Meeting people on campus

Arrival week mixers Activities, clubs and events Conferences, concerts, film and

lecture series Interaction in classrooms, housing,

cafeteria, and café Large-scale community service

Meeting people in Florence DSU, Scambio Dinners, and other

immersion activities Community service placements Palazzo Giovane and the Oblate Local associations and clubs (sports,

the arts, hobbies, etc.)

How do I get around?

Florence is a compact and walkable city It’s a 30-minute walk from campus to

central Florence The #25 bus stops right next to campus,

and it’s a 10-15 minute ride to central Florence

Taxis can be found throughout the city and are easy to call – information will be provided upon arrival

Florence has a huge Vespa culture, but resist the urge to rent or buy one – you need the proper license, traffic laws are different, and Italians are aggressive drivers

How do I arrange my personal travel?

Choose times when you’re sure you don’t have academic obligations

Ask faculty, staff, friends and family for suggestions

Attend the Travel session during orientation

Do some research online and in the library

Most students travel by train or discount airline

Hostels are inexpensive, but read reviews to ensure they’re safe and clean before booking

What if I get sick? Crisis response available 24/7 – the Office of

Student Life is there to help Italy’s healthcare system is ranked #2 in the

world (W.H.O) – you’re in good hands All students are enrolled in HTH, an

international health coverage plan Free of charge for students

No advance out-of-pocket payment for students to see a doctor or counselor

Credentialed, English-speaking health professionals available to students

Remember to register with HTH when you receive the email from them

Doctors and mental health professionals are also available on campus for free

DO NOT cancel your domestic health insurance while you are abroad!

What about my ongoing medical needs?

Students with special needs, academic or otherwise, must contact the Moses Center prior to departure; resources and services may differ abroad www.nyu.edu/osl/csd

Students with disabilities that affect courses or housing and require special arrangements should also inform staff

If you take prescriptions regularly, bring a full supply (especially ADHD meds, which are not available to adults) – DO NOT SHIP ANY MEDICATIONS, FOOD, OR TOILETRIES FROM OUTSIDE THE EU

Arrange ongoing counseling and any specialists needed in advance through the Wellness Exchange or the Office of Student Life (alexa.farah@nyu.edu)

Will I feel safe?

NYU’s campus is monitored by security guards 24/7

There is ALWAYS a NYU staff member on duty – the emergency number will be provided at orientation

Emergencies in Europe (911 equivalent): 112

The most common issues are petty theft and harassment

Help us keep you safe by following staff recommendations: Don’t invite new acquaintances to your living

situation Keep belongings secure at all times Ignore/report unwanted attention Look out for one another Stay aware Don’t leave your street smarts at home!

How will I stay in touch with people?

Set-up video chat accounts for yourself and for your family

Purchase a local cell phone and SIM card

Unlock your smart phone and purchase new SIM card onsite

Create a communication plan Are you going to talk daily, weekly, or

say see you in the summer?

Be sure to check your NYU e-mail regularly

Share your personal cell phone number with the Office of Student Life as soon as you have it

Transition TipsYou might find yourself getting a bit anxious as you get closer to the date of your departure. It’s natural to be nervous before moving to new surroundings.

Some steps you can take to prepare can be found at www.nyu.edu/global/culturaladjustment

View the “What is Culture” Webinar

Plan how you will reflect on the experience before arrival, during, and after you return

Research the culture you will experience by logging into GlobeSmart. (Link to come in a later newsletter but available through NYUHome.)

Remember: • Study away AND freshman year are both processes, not

events. You’re going to get used to both over time.• Trust your experience• Call on tools that have worked• Stay curious • You are not alone!

NYU Florence: Final Recommendations Prioritize

Academics come first Plan to get involved

Prepare Know and plan for your medical

needs – mental, physical, and insurance

Plan for banking/financial needs – take exchange rates into account

Learn some Italian Research, read, and keep up to date

on your How Tuesday newsletters

Questions? Academics:

florence.academicsupport@nyu.edu Student Life:

florence.studentlife@nyu.edu

Grazie!