Classes
Are the classes offered at the Villa as demanding as regular classes at Georgetown?
Classes at the Villa are Georgetown classes. The credits are Georgetown credits. These classes meet the same number of hours per semester and have the same requirements as classes offered on the main campus.
When are classes held at the Villa?
During a normal week, classes are held Monday through Thursday with Fridays left open for field trips or for individual travel in Italy. Attendance for all classes is mandatory, as is attendance and full participation on all field trips, (students are required to attend all field trips throughout the semester, not just the ones for their classes). Punctuality and participation are factored into the final class grades. Any unexcused absences or tardiness may result in the lowering of final grades.
Where can I buy my books for the Villa?
The books for the Villa semester and summer programs are available for you to purchase each semester at the Georgetown University Leavey Center Bookstore. If you do not choose to purchase them in person at the bookstore, you may purchase them online either directly from the bookstore, (go to the Georgetown University Bookstore website accessed from the main Georgetown website), or from an online provider such as Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, or Half.com. You may also call the textbook department at the bookstore at 202-687-7525 and order your books over the phone with a credit card.
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Weather
What is the weather like in Italy?
The weather in Italy varies from year to year and season to season. Generally, the weather in Florence is quite mild; however, occasionally it can be quite hot or quite cold. At the end of the fall semester and the beginning of the spring semester, you can anticipate temperatures in the low 40s at times. It can also be damp and cool in December and January, with the occasionally snow flurry. Temperatures in Florence in May and June can range from the high 50s to the high 80s. As the weather in Italy fluctuates considerably, however, it is always a good idea to check www.weather.com for international weather updates, (up to 10 days in advance), and historical temperature information when planning what to pack.
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Clothing
What clothing should I bring to the Villa?
The weather fluctuate greatly in Florence, (and in most of Italy for the matter), at any of time of year, so it's best to come prepared for any sort of weather. It is important to bring functional clothing that can be layered, including t-shirts, long-sleeved shirts, fleecy long-sleeved tops and jackets, jeans, etc. In order to visit the various churches and other historical sites for the art history field trips, both men and women need to make sure they pack appropriate clothing, (covering knees and shoulders). In addition, students should bring at least outfit appropriate for the dressier events at the Villa, (skirts or dresses for women and jackets and ties for me).
Florence can be cold and damp in the winter and the Villa chilly. Fleece items, sweatshirts, and sweatpants are always good items to have on hand. Students will also definitely want to bring warm jackets for the colder months, as well as hats, gloves, scarves, warm socks, collapsible umbrellas, and rain jackets, (it is rare to get snow in Florence but the winter months can be very rainy).
NOTE: Italians are rather formal in attire. They always wear shoes when they go out - flip-flops are worn only ar the beach and students wearing flip-flops in the streets of Florence often get strange looks. Italians do not wear certain items of clothing and on fieldtrips, in churches, museums, and at night in Florence, students should dress appropriately: mini skirts, strappy tank tops, short shorts, and visible bra straps are considered particularly inappropriate in Florentine society.
Are there laundry facilities at the Villa?
The Villa has one coin operated washing machine, (3 euros per load), one dryer, and numerous drying racks. In good weather, clothes can be hung on outside lines. Tokens for the washing maching and dryer are available for purchase from Simona Mocali. A dry cleaner is also conveniently located in Fiesole within easy walking distance.
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Currency and Finances
What is the currency used in Italy?
As of January 2002, Italy and other members of the European Union have switched to the euro as their currency. There are 1 cent, 5 cent, 10 cent, 1 euro, and 2 euro coins. Any amount above 2 euros is in bill form. As the value of the U.S. dollar and the euro fluctuates quite often, it's a good idea to check the currency conversions both before you leave and while you are abroad. The website Georgetown uses for conversions is http://www.oanda.com/convert/classic You may also wish to bring an inexpensive pocket calculator with you in order to compute the exchange rate when making purchases in Italy.
What is the easiest way to access money and pay for purchases in Italy - traveler's checks, ATMs, or credit cards?
The simplest way to get money anywhere in Europe, (at the best exchange rates), is by using your ATM card at the European bank ATM machines. Many ATM machines in Italy, (including Florence and Fiesole), and Europe accept Cirrus and Plus cards. You can use your regular American PIN number for any of these machines. There is a small service charge, however, for each withdrawal, so check with your bank first to see what these service charges may be.
In the past, many students have chosen to carry traveler's checks instead of lots of cash. Traveler's checks can be cashed in all banks, most restaurants, hotels and stores, as long as you present your passport for identification. It is a very good idea to keep a list of your travelers check numbers and amounts, (separate from the checks), as you will need this information in case the checks are lost or stolen. We do not recommend you bring more than $200 in traveler's checks, (for emergencies), as they are not as convenient or economical as ATM/credit card.
As students of Villa Le Balze, you can enjoy yet another simple way to get money while in Fiesole. The Fiesole banks have a special relationship with Georgetown in that these banks will accept your personal American checks (for no more than $200 per check) if your check is countersigned by the Villa's Director, Ms. Magovern. You will be given details on this during Orientation at the Villa, however, you should bring some personal checks with you, if you are interested in using this method of exchanging money. It is possible to cash as many checks as you would like. A word of warning -- bounced checks carry a $30.00 fine. Students must cover these fines.
American Express offers a service called Express Cash that will allow you to take money from your regular checking account with your American Express Card. You need only call and sign up for the program, and you will receive a PIN number. This option will work at any Express Cash machine, located at an American Express office (there is one in Florence) and at almost all regular ATMs where Plus and Cirrus are accepted. The fees for using these machines are slightly higher than in America, but it is very convenient. If you would like to know more about this program, you can look at the American Express website.
There are several American Express offices throughout Europe, including one in Florence, which will cash personal checks, provided you have an American Express card. Also, many European banks will issue cash advances on Visa and MasterCard cards. By using credit cards you enjoy a good exchange rate, but the credit card companies will usually charge interest immediately from the time of the withdrawal as opposed to the regular end of the month interest charges.
Visa Check Cards, (issued at the Credit Union), are also accepted in Europe. You can use these cards to withdrawal cash from ATM machines, (Note: your balance will not appear on the receipt). You can also use them wherever Visa is accepted.
Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club and American Express cards are readily accepted in Europe. If you bring credit cards with you, you should write down the number of the cards, the date of expiration, the bank, etc., and keep this information separate from your credit cards. Along with this information, you should also have the US and local telephone number (in Italy, or wherever you plan to travel) for where you report a lost or stolen credit card. Another suggestion is to give copies of all this information to your parents or someone else at home who could help you facilitate replacement if your card is stolen.
Does my account balance show up on my ATM withdrawal receipts in Europe?
For most American bank accounts, your account balance will not be printed on your ATM withdrawal receipts overseas. Many banks including Riggs, Chevy Chase Bank, and the Credit Union, however, offer online checking which allows account holders 24-hour access to their account information and bank statements. In addition, having online access to your account is a helpful way to keep track of not only your balance, but also the conversion rate and any fees you might be charged. We highly recommend that you let your bank know before you go abroad so you will not have any trouble using your debit or credit cards overseas.
Should I bring some euros with me?
Before departure from the United States, buy at least 200 in euros so that you have money for taxis, trains, and buses when you arrive in Italy, (keep in mind that US banks generally need at least 3 business days to get your euros for you). You will need 100 euro for check-in fees at the Villa, including a refundable key deposit. This key deposit will be returned to you at the end of the semester if and when the keys are turned in.
Passports
A passport is the MOST IMPORTANT DOCUMENT students will have while studying abroad. A passport serves as proof of citizenship and is necessary to enter and return from almost every country in the world. Any time you are mailing your passport, be sure to use a traceable mail service, such as FedEx or UPS. Never mail a passport through regular mail. The following precautions are important to remember:
• Passports must be valid for at least 180 days beyond the end date of the program
• Passports should always be secured in a neck pouch or in a money belt when traveling
• While in the host country, students should carry a copy of their passport, leaving the original in a secure place
• A photocopy of the passport should be left with a relative
• The passport should be registered with the U.S. Embassy in the host country
Students should apply for a passport at least six months before their departure date. The Department of State is currently reporting that it will take at least 12 weeks to process current applications. For updates and more information, please check the State Department's website. If submitting an application for a passport for the first time, or replacing a lost passport, students must apply in person.
Study Visas
All students traveling to Italy must have a student visa. The Villa Programs Office will assist you with the application procedure. The following documents are necessary for obtaining a student visa from the Italian Consulate in Washington, DC:
• Affidavit of Support (see below)
• An official, professionally printed passport photograph
• Passport (must be valid for at least 6 months after the end date of your program)
• Visa Authorization Form (available on Studio Abroad)
• Visa application form completed (you can obtain this application form online); a sample version is available on Studio Abroad
The Italian Embassy requires an Affidavit of Support from the student's parent as well as a copy of the parents' most recent bank statement (or a letter on bank letterhead) showing sufficient funds for the duration of the student's stay in Italy. Parents must complete, sign, and have NOTARIZED the Affidavit of Support and attach both the copy of their most recent bank statement, (sensitive data including the account number may be blackened out to maintain security). This form and information are required of anyone applying for an Italian visa. Even if a student receives financial aid, his or her parent must complete this form. It will not affect the amount of financial aid that the student receives. If parents have any questions about why this information is necessary, they should contact the Villa office at 202-687-5624 or look at the Italian embassy's website.
Permesso di Soggiorno: Permit of Stay
The Permesso di Soggiorno (Permit of Stay) is a student's most important document while he or she is in Italy. It should be treated with the same respect as the passport and visa. The Villa staff in Italy will help students apply for the Permesso di Soggiorno during the orientation period at the Villa. The Permesso is required for anyone who will be in Italy for more than two weeks. Under Italian law, every foreign national needs to register with the local police within 8 days of arrival in Italy. Visitors to Italy staying in hotels or vacation rentals are registered at the time of check-in (this is why they record the information on your passport). Do not assume that, if for some reason your passport is not stamped, that you have more time. The deadline of 8 days is a strict one and you risk that the authorities will not even take into consideration the request for a permit of stay if you apply for your Permesso more than 8 days after your arrival in Italy, (which means that you would not be allowed to stay in the country and, therefore, would not be able to participate in the program).
As the Permesso and the visa will indicate a date of arrival and a date of departure, (these are the programs dates and cannot be changed to accommodate additional travel), it is important that you know that you risk not be allowed to enter Italy or stay in Italy if you arrive too early, and that you might have problems leaving Italy if you depart too long after the date of expiration.
The Permesso is extremely important and must accompany your passport at all times, (just as you can carry a copy of your passport with you on a day to day basis, you can also carry a copy of the Permesso). If you are stopped on the street by a police officer, you must be able to provide your Permesso. This document has the value of a passport, visa, and your identity, as you are guests of the Italian state. In addition, you must return this document to Simona by within three days of your departure as she has to return it to the Italian authorities before you leave. If you lose your Permesso, it is your responsibility to get a new one, (which can be a long and drawn out process, not unlike trying to replace your passport).
Drinking and Smoking Policy
As in most Italian homes, the Villa provides red and white wine for the midday meal, pranzo, and for some special events at the Villa. Outside of these occasions, you are not permitted to drink alcohol or have your own alcohol in the Villa or on its grounds or during University-sponsored field trips and homestays.
No smoking is permitted inside the Villa buildings. To maintain a healthy and clean environment for all during their time at the Villa, we ask that anyone who wishes to smoke do so outside.
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Housing
How many students live at the Villa and how many with families?
During the Fall and Spring semester programs, 20 students live at the Villa each semester, and as many as 7 live nearby with Italian host families.
During the summer programs, all students live at the Villa.
Will I have my own bathroom or will I be sharing a bathroom?
All students at the Villa will share a bathroom with their roommates. Room sizes, and the number of students assigned to each room, vary throughout the Villa. Generally, each bathroom will be shared between three to five students, depending on the room assignment.
Do I need to bring towels or sheets?
The Villa provides clean towels and sheets weekly, however it is advised that you bring a towel for traveling, (if you plan on staying in hostels), as students are not permitted to take towels or sheets from the Villa.
Can you buy American toiletries in Italy?
Most toiletries available in the U.S. are available in Italy. However, if you are partial to antiperspirant deodorant make sure to bring over a supply for the entire duration of your stay, as antiperspirant is difficult to find in Italy.
Can we choose our roommates?
For roommate requests, please e-mail the Assistant Director of Villa Le Balze Programs at villainfo@georgetown.edu. Roommate requests must be submitted by all potential roommates.
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Safety
Is the Villa safe?
The Villa is quite safe (bordered on all sides by high walls and locked entrances). However, there have been some break-ins in the neighborhood. Each student will be issued the keys necessary for entering and exiting the Villa property (students receive one key to let them into the front gate and another to let them into the buildings). For the safety and security of all who are in the Villa, please comply with all safety guidelines that will be presented to you once you arrive at the Villa.
There is a 25 Euro deposit fee required for the keys. If the keys are lost, the administration will keep this deposit in order to make new keys.
Technology
What is the computer situation like at the Villa? What about throughout Italy?
The computer room at the Villa is equipped with four computers. All of the computers have direct access to the internet. The Villa is equipped with a wireless network, giving access to the information available on the web from virtually any point in the Villa and adjacent gardens. This will allow students and guests to work and to communicate in their rooms or while enjoying the sunshine or a fresh breeze in the gardens.
In addition to the computers at the Villa, there are many internet cafes throughout Italy, including a cafè in Fiesole, approximately a ten minute walk from the Villa.
Should I bring a laptop?
If you have a laptop, we recommend that you bring it with you as this does help to alleviate some of the congestion in the computer room at the Villa. However, if you do not have a laptop, you do not have to purchase one. It is essential that students bring their own floppy discs or USB keychain memory sticks to save data from the Villa's computers or from their own laptops to send to the Villa's printer. Personal laptops cannot be hooked up to the computers at the Villa.
Additionally, be sure to obtain the necessary information from your computer dealer about how to properly use your laptop in foreign countries. You can buy disks and blank CDs in Italy, but if you want to buy software, it will be the Italian language version.
What is the voltage at the Villa?
The voltage in Italy is 220 volts. Although the adaptor kits available for purchase in the U.S. work for most electronic devices, we recommend that students wait to purchase 220 volt hairdryers in Italy. Even the hairdryers that have a switch to change the voltage do not always work in Italy. Hairdryers are inexpensive, ($15-25), and can be purchased at the electronics store in Fiesole.
Telephone Service and Cell Phones
What telephone service is available at the Villa?
Students may receive incoming calls at the Villa. There are phone extensions in each bedroom, as well as throughout the Villa. If you wish to make an outgoing call, however, you must use your cell phone or the pay phone in the main piazza in Fiesole. If someone calls you from the United States, he or she should dial 011-39-055-59208, followed by your bedroom's extension. Direct dialing from the United States to Florence is about half the cost of calling from Italy to the United States. We also have a fax machine at the Villa. Students may receives faxes, but not send them.
Are cell phones available?
We strongly recommend renting or buying a cellular phone once you have arrived in Italy, as many students have done in the past. We would recommend renting over buying so you are not faced with having to sell your cell phone at the end of your semester in Italy, if you do not or cannot take it back to the USA. Having a cellular phone is helpful both in ensuring student safety and for remaining in contact with family and friends. You will be given more information on Italian cell phones (i.e. costs and where to buy or rent them) once you arrive at the Villa. Many pre-paid phone cards (available at places like Target and CVS) can be used with cell phones to cut down on costs as well.
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Transportation
How far is the Villa from downtown Florence?
The Villa is located in the hills of Fiesole, about 20 minutes from the center of downtown Florence.
How can the Villa be reached from downtown Florence?
Students can travel either by bus or cab from Florence. The number 7 bus generally runs from 5 am until 12:30 am. In addition, cabs are readily available throughout Florence at any time. Cabstands are located throughout Florence. You may be able to find discounted rates on cabs to the Villa at certain times, as the city of Florence is attempting to cut down on potential violence at night by offering discounts rates on cabs, particularly for women.
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Travel
Should I buy a EuroRail pass for train travel within Italy and within Europe in general?
EuroRail passes are expensive and limited. Travel within Italy on Trenitalia is generally inexpensive, as is airplane travel throughout Europe on the various discount carriers. However, if students plan on traveling extensively throughout Europe before or after their semester at the Villa, EuroRail passes may be economical in that situation.
We recommend that students compare the price of a EuroRail pass with the price of regular train and/or plane tickets if they do plan on traveling extensively before or after their semesters. To check the prices of EuroRail passes, go to www.eurorailways.com. To check the prices of regular train travel throughout Europe, go to the specific websites for train travel in the relevant countries. For example, information about train travel within Italy may be found at www.trenitalia.com. Another helpful website is www.raileurope.com.
How does train travel work in Italy?
Trains in Italy are inexpensive and generally reliable. In Italy, passengers must validate (stamp) train tickets at the train station before boarding a train. You risk a hefty fine if you neglect to stamp your ticket before boarding a train.
The same applies for buses in Italy. When you board the bus, you must stamp your bus ticket. It is then valid for one hour. Occasionally, you will be asked for your valid ticket by an undercover employee of the bus company. If you are unable to produce a stamped ticket, you will receive a fine of at least 50 euro.
Should I plan all of my weekend trips before I arrive at the Villa?
Students traditionally don't plan all of their weekend and/or fall and spring break excursions before arriving at the Villa. Most students enjoy using a few of their weekends to visit different cities in Italy and plan longer trips in Europe for the longer, 10 day breaks. Students usually get together and plan trips once they have arrived at the Villa, gotten to know their fellow students, and begun to adjust to life in Italy. There are also resources available at the Villa to help you get ideas and plan your travels.
May I arrive at the Villa earlier than the start of my program or stay later than the move out date?
The Villa hosts other programs and conferences and cannot accommodate students before or after each semester. We can, however, recommend places to stay in both Fiesole and Florence. For recommendations for hotels in Fiesole and Florence, please contact the Villa programs office or visit the links page.
May I store boxes and/or luggage at the Villa before or after the semester is over?
The limited space at the Villa makes it impossible deposit luggage before the program begins, or to store luggage after the program has ended. However, if necessary, you can store luggage in very safe, affordable lockers located at the train station in Florence.
May I ship my belongings to and from the Villa?
The cost of shipping boxes containing clothes, books, computers, electrical equipment, or other personal items to the Villa is extremely expensive. Students who have shipped things to the Villa in the past have had to pay as much as $300 in additional customs fees that had not been articulated to them by the shipping company. Please do not plan to ship boxes to the Villa.
At the end of every semester, a local shipping company comes to the Villa to pick up boxes to be shipped to the United States. Shipment is based on weight and the destination of the packages. Often times, however, students find it less expensive to pay the additional luggage supplement charged by most airlines and check an extra bag filled with the new belongings that they have picked up throughout the course of the semester.
What are the best travel guides for Italy and/or Europe?
There are countless travel guides for Florence, Italy, and all of Europe. Let's Go: Italy; lists reasonably inexpensive hotels and restaurants. The guide is available at most bookstores, including Amazon.com. Other guides include The Lonely Planet and Time Out. Rick Steve's guide provides good information about much smaller, less popular destinations in Italy such as Cinque Terre.
The Villa also has a subscription to a monthly travel magazine which highlights various areas of Italy and provides a calendar of events, art exhibitions, and festivals held throughout the country.
If you plan on traveling outside Italy, you may want to purchase a more general guide, such as Let's Go: Europe, or, if you know exactly which countries you wish to visit, the more specialized guides for those areas.
What is the best way to get to Florence?
Students are responsible for arranging their own transportation to and from Italy. If you would like to purchase your tickets through a travel agent, we recommend STA Travel (202-337-6464). STA offers special rates just for student travel. You may also wish to search for tickets on one of the popular travel websites such as travelocity.com, expedia.com, priceline.com, or cheaptickets.com.
Due to the extensive European rail and bus network, Florence is accessible from any European airport. However, it is obviously more convenient to fly directly to Italy - for which there are five principal options: Florence, Pisa, Bologna, Rome or Milan. It is most convenient to fly into Florence or Pisa, however.
The Florence airport is small and accessible only by smaller planes - for example, flights come into the Florence airport from such transfer points as - Munich, Frankfurt, Paris, Rome, Milan, and other Italian cities. If you fly into the Florence airport, you can take a bus into the Florence city center, and then another city bus to the Villa, or you can take a cab directly to the Villa (which will cost anywhere between the equivalent of $30 to $40).
Some options you may want to choose:
If you fly directly to Rome: Take the train that leaves from Rome's airport and goes to Rome's train station, Roma Termini. Once you are at Roma Termini, you can catch a train directly to Florence's train station: FIRENZE: Santa Maria Novella (SMN). More info.
If you fly into Pisa: Catch a train from the airport in Pisa that goes directly to the train station in Florence. More info.
If you fly into Milan:Take a city bus from Milan's airport to Milan's train station, Milano Centrale (which is about an hour's drive), and then take a train from Milan's train station to Florence's train station, Santa Maria Novella (Firenze SMN). More info.
Once you are at the Santa Maria Novella train station in Florence: Take a cab to the Villa Le Balze (specific directions to the Villa are here, as well as in all students' packets). Please note that flying into Florence makes the entire trip much easier, especially for non-Italian speakers or travelers with a lot of luggage. Also, be sure to label all of your luggage with your full name and the full address and phone of the Villa in case your luggage is lost.
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Dietary Considerations
Is it possible to get vegetarian meals at the Villa?
If you are a vegetarian, please be assured that we have had many vegetarians at the Villa in the past who have found the meals entirely satisfactory. Every lunch and dinner begins with a pasta dish that often contains no meat, or that can, for some portions, be made without meat, and the second courses are served with plenty of vegetables. There is also always plenty of fruit and cheese. If you have any dietary restrictions, please be sure to make them known before departing for Italy.
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