Before You Go
To exploit the many advantages and benefits of a study abroad experience, it is essential that students plan well in advance. The exchange is designed so that every participant gains regular Penn State credit that is applied directly to the requirements for graduation. As with all Penn State's semester and year-long Education Abroad Programs, this program satisfies the University's cultural diversity requirement.
Pre-departure guide from International Programs.
U.S. Customs - What you need to know before you travel
- Passport: obtain an application at the Post Office; there is up to a two month lead-time for the procurement of the passport; $65.00 or current rate.
- Make multiple photocopies of your passport and bring
1 copy with you for Sede di Roma office use.
- Carry a copy of your passport (not the original) at all times.
- Keep your passport in a safe place. Suggestion: Find a safekeeping place
for all important documents for this trip. Tell a parent or reliable friend
where this safe space is in case you forget.
- Visa: Tourist staying for a short duration (less than 90 days) do not require a visa. If you plan on staying in the E.U. for more than 90 days, you should have a visa. Consult a travel agent or the U.S. Immigration Department.
- International Student Identification Card: obtain at the USG Office (or travel agents) at 203 HUB; $15.00.
- Permesso di Soggiorno: obtain in Italy at the beginning of the semester; you will need your information required for the Visa for the Permesso including insurance statement, passport, Visa, etc. and two passport photos - bring along a few extra copies. Approximately $50.00
- Travelers Checks: do not carry large sums of cash
with you at any time; keep the recorded Traveler Check numbers separate from
the checks themselves.
- Debit Card (recommended): Automatic teller machines are
readily available and easily accessible. Talk to your bank prior to leaving
to alert them of your over-seas spending (so they don't freeze your bank account)
and to talk to them about the possibility of eliminating the service charge.
- Credit Card (optional): this is a good source of emergency
cash accessible by automatic teller machines; bring your PIN number
- Foreign Currency: obtain when you arrive in Europe; banks
usually offer the best exchange rates, however there may be a transaction
fee. Bring or withdraw at the Rome airport 75 to 100 Euro for expenses upon
arrival (i.e. taxies, food, etc.) or exchange currency before leaving the
states.
- Estimated Monthly Budget: the cost of living is considerably
more expensive in Europe, especially in the large cities (like Rome), than
in State College. Also, the value of your American dollar will fluctuate in
relation to the Euro. An average suggested monthly budget, not including your
rent or personal outside-of-Rome travel, is:
- e-mail account: free access to your PSU account
- food: 300-500 Euros - for groceries; does
not include restaurants
- apartment utilities: 50-100 Euros - electric,
telephone, gas, etc. Varies with season.
- personal supplies: 50-100 Euros - toiletries,
detergent, cleaners, TP, etc.
- architect supplies: 50-100 Euros - paper,
sketchbooks, pens, pencils, etc.
- museums & books: 50-100 Euros - this may
vary according to your desires
- transportation: 20-30 Euros - in town bus;
$.80/ride, $30/monthly pass
- mail: 10-20 Euros - letters are $1; postcards
are $.80
- miscellaneous: 50-100 Euros - gifts, clothing,
film, unexpected expenses
x 2 months - add estimated expenses for weekend travel
- See also Costs
- optional weekend travel
- Security and Terrorism Prevention: Pack wisely as each country has differing security procedures. Do not test the system!
- Backpack: this is the most convenient form of luggage; you can carry your belongings and have your hands free. Consider how you may make your backpacks pick-pocket proof!
- Day Pack: a small, lightweight backpack or shoulder bag that zips shut (without exposed zipper handles) for daily travel.
- Neck Pouch or Money Belt: keep all your official documents
and money out-of-sight and on-your-body at all times!; there may be times
when you will have to show your documents to an official or the police at
any moment; exposed hip-belts are vulnerable targets for pickpockets; never
leave your documents and money in any hotel; always practice conservative
common sense. American students and tourists are prime targets
for pick-pockets. (Consider getting a travel purse for important
documents.)
- Pack Lightly: do not over pack; bring durable and preferably
dark colored clothes that can withstand travel wear-and-tear; bring clothes
that you are prepared to wear over and over; bring clothes that are easily
washable; bring clothes that do not require ironing; there will be few occasions
requiring formal wear.
- Shoes: bring a pair of sturdy, waterproof, walking shoes;
bring one extra pair of shoes. You will walk miles at a time.
- Comfortable sandals.
- Rain Gear: bring lightweight rain gear or compact umbrella
for travel to the North.
- Shower shoes are a must!
- Climate: START (May) - 50-70 degrees F; END (June)
- 80-100 degrees F and humid. Air conditioning is rare in places students
will frequent.
- Cell Phones - There is an Italian company, "Campus
Phone" that provides cell phones for study abroad students. www.webpuccino.it
Once in Italy, You can talk to Linda in the office for the best place
to buy the phone.
- Cost: $75 deposit (refundable); $0.50/day; $0.30/ minute to U.S.
- Skype - other have found this online phone service to be
a great way to contact the U.S. for free. www.sykpe.com
Buy a headset with mic ahead of time. You can buy a cheap set from RadioShack
for $5.00.
- Prescriptions: if you have prescriptions, take enough to last your entire stay in Europe; bring a written prescription from your doctor to present to customs officials if asked, otherwise you may not be able to enter the country with the drugs.
- Eyeglasses: if you have prescription glasses or contact lenses, take an extra pair and/or a written prescription.
- Swiss Army Knife: with corkscrew! (Remember to pack this in your luggage, not your carry-on.)
- Luggage Lock: for use in hostels, lockers, etc., when you want to secure your luggage.
- Toiletries: bring small containers; you can refill when you need to in Italy. Bring first roll of toilet paper!
- Electrical Adapters, and Transformers: if you need to bring any electronic equipment, you will need to adapt to European systems; USA has 60 cycle/120 volt electricity, and Europe has 50 cycle/220 volt electricity; the European electricity may ruin some equipment if not adapted properly, and it is considerably more powerful and dangerous. The receptacle configurations are different as well. Get an adaptor kit from Wal-Mart, Best Buy, etc.
| ARCHITECTURAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT |
- Tracing Paper: bring what you will use for a whole semester;
bumwad is not readily available in Italy, but similar (thicker) types are.
- Basic Drafting Equipment: bring only the bare-essentials;
lead-holders, leads, triangles (one good adjustable may be fine), metric scales,
compass, manual sharpener, X-acto blades, small calculator for metric and
currency conversions, etc. (Remember to pack these items in your luggage,
not your carry-on.). Drafting supplies are expensive in Rome.
- In-Field Supplies: use your eyes and hands for in-field
sketching; draw, draw, draw every day! bring a moderate size sketch book budget
yourself to buy one in Italy-they have exquisite sketchbooks!; a variety of
pencils, protracter, charcoal, erasers; whatever you are most comfortable
with for sketching; we will be doing figure drawings with live models, as
well.
- Collapsible stool - tripod/EMS (optional)
- Camera - for touring purposes.
- Notebook- for everyday.
- Engineering Paper- for the structures course.
Purchase these books in the USA; the cost of such items are much greater in Europe:
- Lets Go Italy and Lets Go Europe:(check your local bookseller) these are trustworthy guides for inexpensive traveling
- Blue Guide: these are good guides for the history and information of buildings, landmarks, art, etc.
- Modern Architecture: A Critical History by Kenneth Frampton: compact and comprehensive overview of modern, European architecture
- Renaissance Architecture by Peter Murry: compact and comprehensive overview of Italian Renaissance architecture, however, the text is somewhat dubious
- A Companion Guide to Rome by Georgina Masson: excellent narrative guide book
- Architect-Specific Guides: there is a LeCorbusier guide, Palladio Guide, etc.
- Italian/English Dictionary: you will want a pocket dictionary for everyday use, and perhaps a larger, more complete dictionary for the study of the language
The apartments are furnished and will have sheets and towels. These linens are not new, but will be freshly washed and laundry clean.
You may wish to buy new, inexpensive sheets and towels which you can dispose of at the end of your stay. Check the map for the closest store at Prazza Agentina.
Bathrooms will not be stocked with toilet paper. Bring one roll with you for
immediate use!
Consider bringing at least one towel of your own to be used for beach trips
and your own pillowcase.
- Do not over pack: travel light, be flexible.
- Do not attempt to bring any illegal substances!
- Do not bring items in their original wrapping, and do not bring receipts for items you have previously bought: you may be charged a duty at customs on any new items you bring back into the country.
- Do not try to see all of Europe at once; pace yourself, concentrate on regions or cities, not whole continents; you will be back.
- Do not forget that you are representatives of your country and esteemed university.
- Don't bring the American college vice of being drunk to have a good time. Learn to enjoy and drink in moderation. Being drunk in Europe is not cool. You will represent the United States badly, be an embarrassment to Penn State, and Europeans will not respect you.
- Do have the experience of a lifetime.
- Do come with an open mind about the new cultures you will be experiencing.
- Do try to learn the language: Languages are the essential key to the understanding and empathy for any new culture.
- Do explore, look, question, see, sketch, absorb.
- Respect others.
