Following are some of the tips to international students who wants to study in Italy:
Why Italy?
Because of its geographical position, Italy has direct contacts with the main ethnic and cultural areas of old Europe (neo-Latin, Germanic, and Slav-Balkan areas) as well as, through North-African countries, with the world of Arab-Islamic civilisation. Consequently, while still anchored in the European and Western civilisation, Italy can be considered a natural link to those African and Asian countries which, bordering as they do on the same Mediterranean Sea, have shared historical events and cultural influences over many centuries.
Italian culture is deeply rooted in the ancient Greek and Roman civilisations which florished on the penisula for over a milllenium and left their imprint everywhere in the country in so many works of art, her legal system, her traditions.
Travelling to Italy
There are flights from major cities in Europe and the world arriving in the main international airports of Rome or Milan every day, either directly or through other European hubs such as London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Paris.
Many other Italian airports such as Bologna, Florence or Naples link directly to European cities and all Italian airports are linked to Rome and Milan, so it is easy to make connections to other destinations in the country.
Many budget airlines now fly into a number of Italian airports so check these out on the Internet when making your travel plans.
You may also choose to come to Italy by rail or coach and there are frequent day and night services from a wide range of European cities.
Another option may be to come by car and there is an extensive motorway network from the North to the South of Italy.
Essential Documents
Once coming to Italy as a student, ensure you have all the required documents with you before leaving.
You should remember to bring:
A valid identity card or passport with visa, if required
Money – cash, travellers cheques, credit card, all of which should be kept safe!
Health documents
Letter of acceptance from the university
Documentary proof you have enough money for living, if required
Any other documents required by the Italian university will vary depending on your student status, either as a full time student or an exchange student, and on your citizenship, so remember to check with the International Office before you leave that you have all the documents with you.
In more recent years, Italy has played an important role in European higher education: it is one of the four countries that first engaged to create the so-called "European Area of Higher Education" (Sorbonne Declaration, May 1998), thus starting that type of higher education reform which, known as "Bologna Process" (Bologna Declaration, June 1999) is being implemented all over Europe.
Today Italy ranks among the 8 most industrialised countries in the world. Alongside some big companies, both state-owned and private, she has developed a sound network of small and medium-sized undertakings, promoted a few scientific parks, and is incentivating basic and applied research in a great variety of fields (biology, ICT, medicine, physics, etc.).
Visa for Students
EU citizens may enter Italy with a passport or ID card and are entitled to stay for study or work as long as like. You are however required to register with the Questura (police station) in order to obtain residence and therefore you should ensure that you have all the documents requested for this procedure before you leave your home country.
Non EU Citizens are required to apply for a study visa prior to leaving. Applications should be made at your nearest Italian Embassy or Consulate. Always start these procedures well in advance of your planned visit to Italy. These procedures are subject to change so it is worthwhile telephoning the embassy or checking the website for information before going personally to the visa office.
Once you arrive in Italy you must report to the Questura within 8 days of arrival.
Special Needs
Universities have different services and access for people with special needs.
If you require any such services, you should contact your university before your arrival and check availability or ensure whether any special arrangements can be made for you.
What to bring
There are climatic differences between the North and South of Italy although all parts of the country experience all four seasons to different degrees.
Winters in the North of the country can be quite severe while they remain mild in the South.
Summer is hot throughout Italy with the summer season being much longer in the South. Spring and Autumn are the rainiest times and it is wetter in the North than in the South.
If you are unsure about what clothes to bring, ask the university to advise you but do beware that you will need a winter wardrobe of some kind whether you are in the North or the South of the country.
Leaving Home
Going abroad for a study experience either as an exchange or full time student is an adventure to look forward to.
However you should be prepared for the fact that itf can also be disorienting after the initial excitement when you start to discover aspects of life in the country that you find strange or make you feel homesick. Remember however that you are not the only one feeling this way.
It is normal for most students to have these feelings at some point during their stay.
You should speak to the International Office at your institution about any difficulties you are experiencing and they will be able to help you out.
Getting Started
Most universities will organise orientation programmes to help you get settled in before you start your studies.
These programmes will induct you into the university and show you how to use the different services and facilities.
They will probably organise social events as well to allow you to meet other international and local students.
Such events are often organised by student associations such as the Erasmus Student Network (ESN).
If you are coming to Italy as an exchange student, check the ESN website to find out if there is an active network at the university you will be attending. They will be able to give you useful advice before you arrive.
