For more detailed frequently asked questions, please consult the sites of relevant city programs - in Florence, Rome, Sicily or Milan.

01. How do I contact SAI? Can I speak with a representative before deciding to study abroad/choosing program?
Our US based admissions officers conduct regular site visits to the host school in Italy and are able to answer any questions about the programs as well as any aspect of the admissions process, from course enrollment through housing assignment. You can click on the "Contact Us " button at the top of each program web site to be immediately connected to an admissions officer and ask your questions through live chat.

You can also contact us at the following address:

Study Abroad Italy
7151 Wilton Avenue, Suite 202, Sebastopol, CA. 95472 USA.  
Tel: 1-800-655-8965
www.studyabroad-italy.com
mail@studyabroad-italy.com

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02. What study abroad programs does SAI offer?
Study Abroad Italy (SAI) is pleased to offer undergraduate students semester programs (fall or spring), summer programs (June or July) and intersession programs (January) in four distinct Italian locations: Florence, Rome, Sicily, and Milan. At one of our Milan schools, SAI also offers graduate and Masters programs in design. For information see our program pages.

Our host schools in Rome, Florence and Sicily all offer a liberal arts education with specializations in business (Rome), art (Florence) or classical studies (Sicily). Our Milan programs focus on the study of contemporary design.

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03. Where are the Schools located?
As the center of the Mediterranean, Italy has riches that are as powerful a lure to scholars today as they have been for millennia. SAI takes advantage of that wealth by offering its modern study abroad programs in four historical cities spanning the Italian Peninsula and the island of Sicily:Milan, Florence, Rome and Sicily.

Each of our program sites is unique. Rome is the capital of Italy, and the repository of the art and architecture of the Roman empire; Florence is the cultural birthplace of the Italian Renaissance; and Milan is the bustling center of Italian commerce and fashion. The city of Syracuse, at the opposite end of Italy, was the center of Greek Italy and boasts a wealth of archaeological and architectural remains, ranging from Classical to Baroque and from Gothic to Arabesque, reflecting the overlapping historical narratives of all Italy.

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04. Can I get a scholarship or other financial aid?
Each year SAI offers a number of Scholarships for study in Italy. See our page on scholarships for details.

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05. Am I eligible to apply? Is there a G.P.A. requirement?
Students are required to be 18 years of age and have a minimum GPA of 2.8. Students with a GPA less than a 2.8 will be considered on an individual basis, and should contact the Study Abroad Italy office to discuss enrollment.

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06. Are courses taught in English?
All courses are taught in English with the exception of Italian language (immersion style for English-speakers). For advanced Italian language students, a few courses are offered each term taught in Italian, marked "in Italian" in the catalog and class schedules.

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07. Do I have to take Italian?
Semester students in Florence, Sicily and Milan MUST take at least three credits of Italian language as part of their program. Summer session/Intersession students are not required to take Italian language. Students attending our Rome program are not required to take Italian language as part of their program.

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08. Do I have to buy books or pay any lab fees when I arrive?
When a student is required to purchase books, the cost for a semester or summer term generally does not exceed €50- €75 per course. Students taking studio art classes should expect to spend about 200 euro per class. Classes in Florence, Rome and Milan with field trips or studio components require the payment of lab fees on site.

The Sicily program does not charge lab fees for classes with field trips.

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09. Can I get US academic credit for my courses?
Students enrolled in SAI Programs from affiliated universities will receive US credit for courses from their home university. All SAI students enrolling from non-affiliated universities will receive US course credit from Fairfield University in Connecticut. Study Abroad Italy will automatically process non-affiliate students through Fairfield University, with no additional fee.

Our programs in Milan, Florence and Sicily are accredited by Fairfield University in Connecticut. Students attending the program at John Cabot University (JCU) in Rome will receive US credit directly from JCU, since JCU is already a US accredited university.

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10. Do I need a visa?
All students must obtain a student visa (see our page on visas). Upon acceptance SAI will send you the application procedures for your student visa. It is very important that you start this process as soon as you are enrolled in the program, as the procedure will take time. For some Italian Consulates, SAI is able to handle the visa processing for you and the fee for this service can be found on the costs page.

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11. How do I travel to Italy?
While each student is responsible for his or her own travel arrangements, Study Abroad Italy has made arrangements with Waldorf Travel of California to offer SAI students the lowest available student-priced airline tickets. Waldorf Travel has handled flights for SAI students for 10 years and are familiar with each school's calendar and travel requirements. We encourage students to book their flights WELL IN ADVANCE (at least 90 days prior to departure), and to make sure to notify the travel agent that you are a Study Abroad Italy student. Please note that the number of student-priced tickets is limited. Contact Waldorf Travel as soon as possible to make arrangements.

We suggest that students arrive in Italy with €200.00 in cash, to pay for taxis, trains, food and other immediate needs. Students must submit a Student Arrival Information sheet before departure. 

For airline ticketing contact:

Waldorf Travel
5316 SE Sherman St.
Portland OR 97215
TEL: 800-328-7266 - TOLL FREE
TEL: 503-233-4053
FAX: 503-232-7224

E-mail: info@waldorftravel.com

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12. Can I arrange an airport pickup?
All SAI students arriving at the designated airport for each program during the official check-in dates will be met by an SAI representative who will coordinate shuttle transfer to the school for program check-in, apartment check-in and cell phone pick-up. After check-in, students and their baggage will be taken directly to their apartment. This service is at no cost to the student, but is covered by program cost. Airport drop-off is not included, but is possible to arrange.

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13. Where will I live?
SAI, with our rental agency partners, offers all applicants shared student apartments in Italy, but students are free to arrange their own accommodations if they prefer. Each student shared apartment is equipped with basic kitchen supplies; furnishings; one set of sheets per student; washing machine and iron.

Study Abroad Italy aims to create a comfortable living environment for each student by providing safe, well maintained student-level housing in quality apartments. Our staff will be on hand to greet and help orient students, and will remain available throughout the school term to answer questions and help with maintenance needs that may arise.

Home stay options may be available at some school locations; contact us for information.

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14. What furnishings will be in my apartment?
Each student shared apartment is equipped with the following:
— basic kitchen supplies
— furnishings
— one set of sheets per student
— washing machine and iron
Apartments are NOT equipped with: towels (students should pack or purchase towels in Italy); telephones (students can use their cell phones); clothes dryers

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15. Will I have a phone?
Study Abroad Italy provides all students with rental cell phones free of charge for the duration of their stay in Italy. No charges are made for incoming calls and text messaging received while in Italy. If a student opts to use the cell phone to make outgoing calls and/or text messages, relevant charges will be billed on a call by call basis. Our cell phones are provided by Student Cells, and their rates are among the lowest available, however students should realize that cell phone costs in Italy can be higher than in the US.

For registration and billing information see: http://www.studentcells.com

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16. What about computers and internet access?
You should feel free to bring your laptop computer with you to Italy. Wireless internet access is also provided at all of the schools and each also has a computer lab for student use. Many apartments offer internet for an additional monthly charge, and SAI students may also
rent a wireless modem which can be used to access the internet from any location.

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17. What is Italy like? Is it safe?
Italy poses no special threat to visitors in either health or safety. It is perfectly safe to drink water from a faucet and to eat at any restaurant. While minor crime, such as pick pocketing, can occur, violent crime is unusual even in the cities.

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18. What's the best map/guide?
We like to suggest the Blue Guide series. In addition to maps, these guides will provide you with cultural and historical information as well as suggestions for restaurants and hotels. Blue guides are published for Southern Italy, Northern Italy (including Milan), Florence, Rome and Sicily. Of course there are also Let's Go and Lonely Planet guides available, which will address more specifically the questions of a young person, such as inexpensive food and lodging.

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19. What is the cost of living in Italy?
The cost of living in Italy is similar to that in the U.S. In Italy, a cappuccino costs about $2.00 and fruits and vegetables are perhaps a little less expensive than in the States, especially if you buy them at the open market. Telephones, on the other hand, are more expensive in Italy, as is energy in general (gas, electricity, gasoline), so things tend to even out. If you cook in your own house, you can live relatively cheaply. Italian consulates expect you to have about $1,000 - $1,200 per month for your stay in Italy, and this is a good, though somewhat generous estimate of basic living cost. The value of the US dollar has dropped dramatically in the past year, which has raised the cost of living for US students studying in Italy.

Of our different locations, Milan is perhaps the most expensive city and Syracuse (in Sicily) the least, in terms of general cost of living.

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20. Am I insured?
Study Abroad Italy automatically provides all students with an HTH Worldwide Insurance "Health Select Overseas Policy". Prior to your departure, you will receive an email explanation of benefits, as well as instructions on how to print your ID card from HTH and an "HTH (UNICARE) Authorization Form". This form must be completed, signed and returned to the Study Abroad Italy Office prior to departure.

All costs and charges for this policy are included in our general program cost.

For policy information see:

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21. Do you organize any extracurricular activities?
Our SAI resident Program Coordinators regularly organize social and cultural events for SAI students, including:

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22. Do the schools offer excursions or field trips? Is it easy to travel in Europe?
A number of classes at each school require academic field trips; see course descriptions for details.

Optional events and excursions of varying lengths are offered at each location. Costs for excursions range from approximately $400 - $800. The following overnight excursions are currently offered at our host schools:

For further information or if you have any questions, contact the Admissions Officer for Rome, Florence, Sicily or Milan in our California office.

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23. Can I get a job in Italy?
Legally, you are not permitted to work as a foreign student in Italy.

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