NYU Florence
Fall 2013 Pre-departure Orientation
Cinque Domande Veloci
Five Quick Questions
What is the color of the Florence soccer team?
Fiorentina - Viola
What common ingredient is absent in Tuscan bread?
Salt
What famous bridge currently known for
selling high end jewelry, was originally home
to the city’s butchers?
Ponte Vecchio
How many statues of Michelangelo’s
David are in Florence?
At least three . . . .
What is NYU Florence?
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A renowned center for
international learning and
exchange
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Each semester roughly 350 NYU
and visiting students, freshman to
graduate level
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Courses are taught by outstanding
local and visiting scholars
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57-acre estate
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Staff provides a full range of
student support services
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Classes incorporate on-site
learning, lectures, performances,
and participation in international
conferences
What is on campus?
Villa Ulivi
Academic Support
Classrooms
Library
Cafe
Villa Natalia
Student Life
Dormitory
Villa La Pietra
Art Collection
Classroom
Formal Gardens
Graduate Program
Immigration Office
Villa Sassetti
Conference Center
La Pietra Dialogues
Global Research Initiative
Classrooms
Villa Colletta
Dormitory
Classrooms
Who is NYU Florence?
Lisa Cesarani
Mary Barbera
Assistant Director for
Academic Affairs
Assistant Director for
Student Life
Ellyn Toscano
Executive Director
Alexa Farah
Programming Coordinator
Sabrina Melillo
Immigration and Facilities
Coordinator
AND MANY OTHERS!
Academics: florence.academicsupport@nyu.edu, Student Life: florence.studentlife@nyu.edu
What will I study?
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The Liberal Studies Core of Writing,
Social Foundations, and Cultural
Foundations, as well as Italian Language
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Students will be registered for their
coursework by Liberal Studies
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Average class size is 16 students
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All students must study Italian language
(cannot be taken pass/fail)
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All students must enroll in Global
Encounters: Italian Society and Culture
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Coursework is rigorous; attendance is
expected and required; absences will
negatively affect grades
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All course textbooks are available at local
bookstores or through campus library
Global Encounters: Italian Culture and Society
What is the course about?
•Creates a common
community building
experience for all students on
NYU Global Study Away
programs
•Introduces key historical,
social and cultural issues in
Italy today
•Provides a basis to
understand and explore these
issues
How does it work?
•Four cluster groups
•Five group discussions
•Two papers
•Series of program sponsored
events, lectures, & conferences
Where will I attend class?
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On campus, in classrooms or in the
historic art collection and gardens of
Villa La Pietra
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In Florence’s historic center, exploring
museums, churches, theaters,
government buildings, and archives
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All students receive a museum card
providing free access to all state museums
Outside of Florence, in locations
throughout Italy
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Courses frequently include Friday,
Saturday, or Sunday day trips or weekend
excursions
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Plan personal travel only after
consulting your syllabi
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Costs are included in tuition
Where will I study?
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On Campus
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Villa Ulivi Library
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Open Monday through Friday
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Sunday hours
Campus Lounges with Wi-Fi
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Villa Natalia
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Villa Sassetti
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Villa Ulivi Café
Computer Labs with Printers
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Villa Natalia
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Villa Ulivi
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Villa Sassetti
Off Campus
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British Institute Library
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Biblioteca delle Oblate
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Bibioteca Marucelliana
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Palazzo Giovane
La Pietra Dialogues
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Convenes some of the world’s foremost
scholars, policy makers, practitioners,
business leaders, public intellectuals and
artists to confront critical issues of
contemporary society
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Provides students unique access to
distinguished guests on campus through
small group meetings, breakfasts, and
workshops that promote one-on-one
interaction
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Runs work study and volunteer programs
that involve students in the development
and organization of events
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Features student work – writing,
photography, etc. – on the LPD website
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Get involved and volunteer with LPD :
lapietra.dialogues@nyu.edu
How do I get involved?

Attend lectures and events
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Volunteer at LPD
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Participate in community service
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Start a club
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Teach in schools, lead tours of monuments,
assist the elderly and disabled, coach youth
sports, participate in city-wide clean ups and
food drives, etc.
Creative Writing, Studio Arts, Philosophy,
Culinary, Knitting, Running, etc.
Participate in student life activities
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Day trips, cooking lessons, theater and sports
events, museum visits, residence life
programming
Can I work or volunteer?

Federal Work Study
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20-25 positions available
throughout the campus
La Pietra Dialogues
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4 Work Study positions
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Core group of volunteers
Community Service
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Weekly commitments
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Large-scale events
What’s the city like?

Dynamic international learning
community
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Capital of Tuscany, most populated city
in the region – 380,000
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Unesco World Heritage Site attracting
visitors from all over the world
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Seat of one of Italy’s most prestigious
universities
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Home to the EU’s only university and
historic archives
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Founded by the Romans, birthplace of
the Renaissance, one-time capital of
Italy
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World class center for fine and
performing arts, both historical and
contemporary
What do I need to do before I get there?
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Read all How Tuesday Newsletters
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Get your visa
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Submit all required forms by June 15th
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Book your flight & submit flight details to
NYU Traveler by June 15th
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Register with the Moses Center (if applicable)
How do I pay my bill?
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E-bills ONLY, sent to NYU email address
Fall 2013 bills are generated in July
You can authorize a parent or other
individual to have access to your E-bill
Payment is made directly to the Bursar
Estimated Housing Charge will be posted
on E-bill and must be paid in full prior to
arrival
The estimated housing charge is a
“placeholder charge” until assignments are
finalized
Once housing placements are made, the Ebill is adjusted, resulting in either a credit
or a charge, which appears within 2-3
weeks after the start of the program
Questions? Visit the NYU Bursar Web-site
for details
How will I afford everything?
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Most students use their credit and debit
cards – exchange rates are favorable, but
contact your bank about fees

Figure out how much money you will have
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Working abroad may not be an option; how
much can you save before going?
Consider ALL of your expenses
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Airfare, food, toiletries, medicine, laundry,
spring break trips, activities, etc.

Checks are not accepted and traveler’s
checks are difficult and expensive to cash

Be aware of the exchange rate and fees for
currency conversion
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http://www.xe.com
What should I pack?
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Suggested items
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Leave it home
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Back pack for weekend trips and groceries
Plug adapters
Battery-operated travel alarm clock
Any medication you need (and copies of the
prescription written in the generic term)
Comfortable shoes
Camera (with battery charger)
Toiletries you love – the brands may be different
or expensive abroad
Linens
Kitchen utensils
Appliances (e.g. hairdryer)
Electricity converter – they don’t work!
Contact your airline before you pack to find
out luggage restrictions
Put passport, immigration documents,
medication, and valuables (e.g. laptop, camera)
in your CARRY-ON luggage
Are your computer files backed
up? Consider bringing an external
hard drive.
When do I have to be there?

LS students must arrive on August 26th and
complete check-in

LS Academic Orientation and Freshman
Welcome is on August 27th (the date the
upperclassmen arrive)

Mandatory All Student Orientation held on
August 28th: Includes the entire Florence
student body!

Students must check out of housing by noon
on December 13th

If you arrive earlier or depart later than
program dates, you must find your own
accommodations and are responsible for your
immigration status. No exceptions!
Arrival and Check-in
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Check-in is historically 9:00am to 6:00pm
(it’s best to arrive in the morning)
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Arrival Cheat Sheet with shuttle times
will be available prior to arrival

Staff will be at the Florence Airport
(Peretola) during shuttle times

Transportation from the check-in location
to housing is carried out only within
official check-in hours
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Students arriving at other airports, by
train, or outside of set times are on their
own, including transportation to campus
(taxi €20-25) and then to their living
situation (€15-20) – cash in Euros only
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It may be several hours before students
will be able to contact family; let family
know!
Orientation
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Orientation is for students, though there
is a parent reception on August 27th
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Orientation activities continue through
the weekend
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Mandatory sessions are on academics,
policies, health and safety, and housing
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Optional sessions include tours of
neighborhoods, the campus, and local
transportation; an information fair;
workshops on community service, work
study, advising, LPD, living LGBTQ in
Florence, travel; mixers, etc.

Activities include City Sightseeing
Tours, an Information Fair and more!
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Classes start on Thursday, Aug. 29th
Where will I live?
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All students must live in NYU Florence housing
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Assignments are based on submissions to the
Study Away Confirmation Portal and availability
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Single rooms are limited
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Meal plan required for On-Campus housing:
includes breakfast and dinner; the cafeteria is also
open for lunch but students pay out of pocket for
midday meals

Actual housing prices are available online and via
Study Away Confirmation Portal
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Housing assignments are sent to students’ NYU
e-mail accounts 2 weeks before check-in
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Housing is not provided after check-out day
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Academic Year students do not have access to
housing between Fall and Spring semesters
On-Campus Housing
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Villa Natalia and Villa Colletta
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24/7 Gate Security and Reception
Bedrooms with en suite (Natalia) or communal
(Colletta) bathrooms
Meal Plan: breakfast and dinner daily
Lunch a la carte on weekdays (not included in
the meal plan)
Communal refrigerators, sink, microwave
Cleaning and linens service (sheets, towels,
blankets, pillows provided but bring a towel –
not white - for travel)
Coin-operated laundry machines
Exercise room
Air-conditioning
Computer labs
Ethernet in the rooms, Wireless in common
areas
Overnight guests not permitted
What should I do about guests?
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My mom, dad, brother-in-law, sister,
boyfriend, grandmother, stepgrandfather, girlfriend, best friend,
cousin, neighborhood is going to visit
me…
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They cannot stay with you due to legal
restrictions – tell them in advance
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A hotel list is available on the Florence
blog or through the Office of Student Life
– you can stay with your guests in the
hotel, if you’d like, but hotels will charge
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Schedule visits around fall break and/or
Italian holidays
How will I meet people?
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Meeting people on campus
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Arrival week mixers
Activities, clubs and events
Conferences, concerts, film and
lecture series
Interaction in classrooms, housing,
cafeteria, and café
Large-scale community service
Meeting people in Florence
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DSU, Scambio Dinners, and other
immersion activities
Community service placements
Palazzo Giovane and the Oblate
Local associations and clubs (sports,
the arts, hobbies, etc.)
How do I get around?

Florence is a compact and walkable city
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It’s a 30-minute walk from campus to
central Florence
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The #25 bus stops right next to campus,
and it’s a 10-15 minute ride to central
Florence
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Taxis can be found throughout the city
and are easy to call – information will
be provided upon arrival
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Florence has a huge Vespa culture, but
resist the urge to rent or buy one – you
need the proper license, traffic laws are
different, and Italians are aggressive
drivers
How do I arrange my personal travel?
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Choose times when you’re sure you
don’t have academic obligations
Ask faculty, staff, friends and
family for suggestions
Attend the Travel session during
orientation
Do some research online and in the
library
Most students travel by train or
discount airline
Hostels are inexpensive, but read
reviews to ensure they’re safe and
clean before booking
What if I get sick?
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Crisis response available 24/7 – the Office of
Student Life is there to help
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Italy’s healthcare system is ranked #2 in the
world (W.H.O) – you’re in good hands
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All students are enrolled in HTH, an
international health coverage plan
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Free of charge for students
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No advance out-of-pocket payment for students
to see a doctor or counselor
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Credentialed, English-speaking health
professionals available to students
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Remember to register with HTH when you
receive the email from them
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Doctors and mental health professionals are
also available on campus for free
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DO NOT cancel your domestic health
insurance while you are abroad!
What about my ongoing medical needs?
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Students with special needs, academic or
otherwise, must contact the Moses Center
prior to departure; resources and services
may differ abroad www.nyu.edu/osl/csd
Students with disabilities that affect
courses or housing and require special
arrangements should also inform staff
If you take prescriptions regularly, bring a
full supply (especially ADHD meds, which
are not available to adults) – DO NOT
SHIP ANY MEDICATIONS, FOOD, OR
TOILETRIES FROM OUTSIDE THE EU
Arrange ongoing counseling and any
specialists needed in advance through the
Wellness Exchange or the Office of
Student Life (alexa.farah@nyu.edu)
Will I feel safe?
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NYU’s campus is monitored by security
guards 24/7
There is ALWAYS a NYU staff member on
duty – the emergency number will be
provided at orientation
Emergencies in Europe (911 equivalent):
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112
The most common issues are petty theft and
harassment
Help us keep you safe by following staff
recommendations:
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Don’t invite new acquaintances to your living
situation
Keep belongings secure at all times
Ignore/report unwanted attention
Look out for one another
Stay aware
Don’t leave your street smarts at home!
How will I stay in touch with people?
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Set-up video chat accounts for yourself
and for your family
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Purchase a local cell phone and SIM
card
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Unlock your smart phone and purchase
new SIM card onsite
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Create a communication plan
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Are you going to talk daily, weekly, or
say see you in the summer?
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Be sure to check your NYU e-mail
regularly
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Share your personal cell phone number
with the Office of Student Life as soon
as you have it
Transition Tips
You might find yourself getting a bit anxious as you get closer to
the date of your departure. It’s natural to be nervous before
moving to new surroundings.
Some steps you can take to prepare can be found at
www.nyu.edu/global/culturaladjustment
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View the “What is Culture” Webinar
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Plan how you will reflect on the experience before arrival,
during, and after you return
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Research the culture you will experience by logging into
GlobeSmart. (Link to come in a later newsletter but available
through NYUHome.)
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Remember:
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Study away AND freshman year are both processes, not
events. You’re going to get used to both over time.
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Trust your experience
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Call on tools that have worked
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Stay curious
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You are not alone!
NYU Florence: Final Recommendations
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Prioritize
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Academics come first
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Plan to get involved
Prepare
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Know and plan for your medical
needs – mental, physical, and
insurance
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Plan for banking/financial needs –
take exchange rates into account
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Learn some Italian
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Research, read, and keep up to date
on your How Tuesday newsletters
Questions?
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Academics:
florence.academicsupport@nyu.edu
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Student Life:
florence.studentlife@nyu.edu
Grazie!