Ciao mi amici!
I am writing this post about 15 minutes before I leave for the airport (better late than never), and embark on a 4 month journey through the country of pizza, wine, and good times with some amazing people!
I was hoping as my first blog post to help out anyone else who is reading these before they travel to Italy (like I did many weeks ago). so here are some simple tips:
- STUDENT VISA- this can either be a headache or a walk in the park and a huge stressor regardless. Make sure you schedule an appointment for your student visa IN MAY. I was unlucky and tried to schedule once I got home in June and saw that the consulate was booked through September. You snooze you lose. If you are going and need to know what papers to bring–the whole packet ISA mails you (check that its been mailed and if you haven’t gotten it 2-3 weeks before your appointment contact ISA), copies of your bank statement (to show you can support yourself), copies of your passport, 2 passport sized photo’s, copy of your flight itinerary, the letter Mike Renaldi gives you from Rollins, and finally 65$.
- PACKING- lighter is better! As a guy, I’m bringing one big suitcase and a backpack. If you can’t wear the shirt with all of the shorts/jeans you’re bringing AND if you can’t match the shorts/jeans/pants to all of your shirts than do not bring it. Being able to mix and match and layer is key to maximizing your baggage space. Also, make sure most if not all of your pockets can be buttoned to keep away pesky pick-pocketers. Lastly, Rome is a bit more formal than the U.S. so t-shirts and gym shorts won’t fly when you’re walking around.
- ITALIAN LANGUAGE- it isn’t required at all for you to take an italian class over the summer, like I did, because in large cities a lot of italians speak english as well, but, it does help a great deal. If a language school isn’t near you then there are plenty of FREE APPS that function pretty well and are very much worth downloading such as DUOLINGO which has been a tremendous help to me along with my Professore.
Those are the three biggest things I wish someone told me before hand. As for myself? I’m feeling mostly nervous. Excited but anxious too. It hasn’t really hit me yet that I’m going to actually be living there. I’m just stressing about having all the papers and documents I’ll need to get through customs and such. But, I am excited for the adventure ahead and I look forward to writing to you more in the future!
Ciao Ciao!
-Marc