>>

HELPFUL INFORMATION



PRE-DEPARTURE CHECKLIST
Valid Passport/ID card
Visa (If required – not for EU citizens) – Check with Italian Embassy.
Tickets/Reservations
Insurance Documents
Cash, Traveler's Cheques,Credit Cards - It is a good idea to change money once you are in Italy (commission rates are lower in banks) but bring some cash for the first few days. 
Prescription medicine
E111 Form (EU citizens only)
Adapter plug for electric goods - Italy has a 220volts/AC system, and the 2pin plug system


F.A.Q's

Q : What’s the weather like in Italy?
A : The summer months are very warm throughout Italy. The south is always a few degrees warmer than the Center and the North. The average temperature in the summer is between 18°C – 30°C (64°F – 86°F), and in the winter 4°C – 16°C (39°F – 61°F). During the winter it is best to bring warm clothes - also for wearing around the house - as Italians tend to turn off the heating at night due to the high costs. [ TOP ]

Q : What is the time difference in Italy?
A : Italy is on the Middle European Time (MET). Rome is 1 hour ahead of London, 6 hours ahead of New York, and 8 hours behind Japan. During the summer months (March-October) the clocks are set one hour forward. [ TOP ]

Q : When are shops open?
A : Most shops are open between 9:30-13:00 and 15:30-19:30. During the summer, many shops stay open all day during the week, but close Saturday afternoon and Monday morning, but this differs from shop to shop. On Sundays, most shops and banks are closed all day so it's a good idea to make prior arrangements if you arrive on Sunday. [ TOP ]

Q :Where can I go for medical help?
A : The First Aid (Pronto Soccorso) service at the hospital is free for anyone who needs it. In the city-centre there is always one pharmacy open 24-hours. Pharmacies take turns for this 24-hour service, but the timetable is clearly shown outside each pharmacy.[ TOP ]

Q : What do I need to travel around Italy?
A : Siena is linked to Florence, Pisa and Rome by train and bus. Special discounts on trains are sometimes available for persons under 26 years of age. It is also possible to buy a season ticket, saving you money on your travel. Siena is very close to the main motorway system, making it easy to travel around during your stay. Cars are not allowed in the city-center and parking is outside, but the city is small and it is easy to travel around on foot.[ TOP ]

Q : How much Italian can I expect to learn during the courses?
A : Obviously this depends on the level of Italian you already know, and the amount of time you spend with us. As all our courses are specifically planned to meet the needs of our students, and all lessons are held in Italian language, you can be sure you will learn the most amount of the Italian required in your level.[ TOP ]

Q : What happens if I want to change the class level?
A : It is no problem if you want to change class level at any time. It is important for us that you are happy with the level and rate of progress in class. If you are not happy for any reason, you may speak to your teacher or the Director of Studies in order to be placed in your appropriate level. [ TOP ]

Q : What is Continuous Enrollment?
A : Continuous enrollment means that it is possible to start and stop any week. We have a system where the syllabus is divided into separate weekly modules. Each teacher is given a study program that should be covered for each level so the Director of Studies knows exactly what the students are doing. The Director visits every class each week to check the levels and the students’ progress.[ TOP ]

Q : How is it possible to start on any Monday?
A : On Mondays all classes start (and end) 1 hour later than usual so that there is time for all new students to be given a full placement test before the classes start. The weekly module starts on Monday and ends on Friday. There is some time allocated for special requests and to revise topics that the teacher feels need further practice.[ TOP ]

Q : How can I be sure that they I'm making progress?
A : Students benefit from intensive classes and their progress is measured and evaluated on a weekly basis. Every two weeks you are given a quiz to verify that you have understood all the concepts, functions and vocabulary covered in that period. During this time, you will also be given an opportunity to revise and to deal with any specific areas of interest or difficulty. This constant monitoring of the students’ progress ensures your confidence and success. Because of the tightly structured syllabus, it is also easy to change a level without losing any time or repeating the same aspects of the course. [ TOP ]

Q : How will I be placed in class?
A : New students are tested on their first day -Monday- at 8:00 am and start their lessons at 10:00 am. The test is multiple choice in format. Each student also has a short oral assessment to check his/her communicative ability. There are eight different levels and usually 2 levels within each of those as in 1A and 1B, 2A and 2B, and so on. This makes it possible to place students within the right group of their level.[ TOP ]

Q : What teaching methods are used?
The classes are full-immersion meaning that classes will be taught in Italian and students are politely but strongly dissuaded from speaking their mother tongue in class. All four language skills will be explored in class: speaking, listening, writing and reading. In most classes, emphasis is placed on speaking and listening, while written work is usually done as homework and checked by the teacher.[ TOP ]

Q : Will I receive an official Italian language certificate?
A : You may take the PLIDA (Progetto Lingua Italiana Dante Alighieri) exam which is offered on specific dates in November and May every year. The PLIDA (Progetto Lingua Italiana Dante Alighieri) certificate is an official diploma issued by the Società Dante Alighieri under an agreement with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (no. 1903 of 4 November 1993) and with the scientific approval of the “La Sapienza” University of Rome (agreement of 29 June 2004). The PLIDA is also recognized by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies (decree of 18 October 2002) and by the Ministry of University and Research as a qualification for the facilitated university enrollment of foreign students (ref. no. 1906 of 9 October 2006). The PLIDA certificate attests proficiency in Italian as a foreign language on the basis of a 6-level scale. We offer specific preparation courses for the exam. (more info)[ TOP ]  
  
Cost of living in Siena

The cost of living in Siena is average. Basic food costs are in line with the rest of the European Union.
Food and drinks come in all price ranges, from reasonably priced eateries to fine dining. The following can be used as reference for food costs:
one loaf of bread: € 1,40
250 gr. of butter: € 1,40
one liter of milk: € 1,30
one liter of mineral water: € ,30-,50cents
one can of Coke: € 1,50
one bottle of beer: € 1,80
Complete lunch in an average restaurant will cost about € 20,00/25,00, typical Italian breakfast of a pastry and coffee or cappuccino costs about € 2,00, delicious Italian gelato (ice-cream) costs € 1,70.
If you feel like having a snack, there are plenty of cheap pizzerias, where a slice of pizza costs about € 1,10/1,50.
A local phone call costs 0.30 cents, and a cinema ticket will cost € 8,50.
A full cycle of washing, including drying, at the launderette, costs € 6,00.
Urban bus is 90 cents for a one-way trip, while a monthly pass will cost 24.00 euro.[ TOP ]
 
 
Entry VISAS and Residence Permit – Permesso di Soggiorno

Citizens of the European Union and EEA states do not require a permit to stay in Italy.
If you are coming to Italy to study for 90 days or less, and you come from one of the following countries you do not need to obtain a Italian student visa: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, South Korea, Costa Rica, Croatia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ex Republic Yugoslavia of Macedonia, Japan, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, Nicaragua, New Zealand, Panama, Paraguay, Singapore, United Stated, Uruguay, Venezuela. The residence permit has now been substituted with a declaration of presence “dichiarazione di presenza” which will be submitted to the Police Station directly by your landlord.
If you are a Foreign student intending to come to Italy to study for MORE THAN 90 DAYS you must obtain a Italian student visa before entering into the Italy. Procedure for VISAS (only for those staying more then 90 days):
Here is some useful information on our School Policy and Procedure and an easy Step-by Step Guide when applying for a VISA:  
1. Enroll and pay the full tuition fees and the accommodation fees – click on link for different methods of payments.
2. We will send you a Certificate of Enrollment by post with the necessary details required by the Italian Consulate. Federal express costs (€ 35,00) will be added to the fees.
3. Apply for a STUDY VISA at the Italian Consulate in your country giving them our Certificate of Enrollment.
4. If you are granted a VISA you will be able to come to Siena and attend our courses; please take note that we must inform the Foreigners Police Office in Siena (Questura) if one of our students doesn't attend our course without a specific reasons (i.e. health problems).
5. If you are not granted a VISA the Italian Consulate will return our Certificate of Enrollment to you. You will then need to mail back to us the original Certificate of Enrollment. Once we have received the Certificate, we will refund in full the tuition and accommodation fees.
In order to assure a timely processing of visas, you (or your parents on your behalf) should begin the visa application as early as possible but no sooner than three months prior to the program's initiation. You should contact your nearest Italian consulate and follow the directions for obtaining a student visa. The visa will not be issued the same day; the process can take up to 60 days. Student visas will be issued only for the length of time you are enrolled in the program. No other type of visa will be accepted. Therefore you have to apply to the competent Italian Embassy/Consulate and ask for a study visa in your name.
The study visa will be issued only against demonstration that you:
1. Have a suitable accommodation in Italy.
2. May dispose of enough financial means to support yourself.
3. are entitled to medical care in Italy.
4. Possess the amount of money necessary to travel back to your country, or have already purchased a valid return-ticket.

Procedure for Residence Permits “Permesso di Soggiorno” (only for those staying more than 90 days):
Within 8 days from arrival, all students who hold a study visa for Italy must apply for a stay permit for study purposes.
The Residence Permit is issued by the police station (Questura - Ufficio immigrazione) in Siena after you complete and mail a “KIT POSTALE” which you will find at the post office. In the kit you must include:
original passport
photocopy of entire passport
photocopy of Certificalte of Enrollment issued by the Soc.Dante Alighieri - Siena Committee previously approved and stamped by the Italin Embasy/Consulate a document giving evidence of medical insurance in Italy
4 recent and identical passport-size photo s
receipt of payment for lodging
one revenue stamp (marca da bollo) for € 14,62
proof of enough financial means to support yourself while in Italy

* Cost of the request of a permesso di soggiorno : The marca da bollo for € 14.62 on the completed form. € 30.00 to be paid at the post office for insured mailing. A pre-completed bill for € 27.50 which covers the cost of an electronic permit (permesso elettronico).

Subsequently you will be contacted by the Questura where you will have your fingerprints and pictures taken. Afterwards you will be issued your Residence Permit which will expire on the date shown on your visa. [ TOP ]