Read this handbook now and again before you leave the U.S.
Consult it again before you register for classes overseas.
The usefulness of this handbook depends on student input.
If you nd erroneous information, please contact [email protected].
Copyright July 2023 Indiana University
Bologna2023-24
Study Abroad Handbook
A useful guide to your
study abroad experience
TABLE OF CONTENTS
What's Inside?
Program Contacts ............................................................................................. 4
Program Introduction ........................................................................................ 5
Goals and Objectives for Studying Abroad ...................................................... 6
Before You Go
Documents ........................................................................................................ 7
Program Costs ................................................................................................... 9
Managing Your Money ....................................................................................10
Packing ............................................................................................................11
Mail & Shipping ...............................................................................................12
The Program in Bologna
2023 -
24 Calendar ........................................................................................13
Arrival and Orientation .................................................................................... 14
BCSP Program Ofce ......................................................................................14
Bologna ............................................................................................................ 15
University of Bologna ......................................................................................15
The Academic Program ...................................................................................16
BCSP Program Courses ..................................................................................17
Italian University Structure .............................................................................18
Libraries ........................................................................................................... 18
Computers & Email .........................................................................................19
Life in Bologna
Housing ............................................................................................................20
Cell phones ...................................................................................................... 21
Food .................................................................................................................21
Grocery Shopping ............................................................................................ 21
Personal Shopping .......................................................................................... 21
Medical Care ...................................................................................................22
Banking ............................................................................................................ 22
TABLE OF CONTENTS
What's Inside?
Public Transportation ...................................................................................... 22
Working & Volunteering in Italy ......................................................................23
Social Activities ...............................................................................................23
Travel ................................................................................................................23
Safety & Responsibility
Legal Issues .....................................................................................................25
Safety Issues ...................................................................................................26
Travel Safety ....................................................................................................27
Preparing for Change
Self-Reflection
.................................................................................................29
Personal Adjustment ....................................................................................... 30
American Identity ............................................................................................30
Cultural Differences ........................................................................................31
Culture Shock ..................................................................................................32
Re-Entry: Reverse Culture Shock ...................................................................33
Appendix A
A.
Responsibilities of the BCSP ...................................................................... 35
B.
Responsibilities of Participants ................................................................. 36
C.
Recommendations to Parents/Guardians/Families ................................37
Appendix B
Description ......................................................................................................38
Occurrence ......................................................................................................38
Risk for Travelers .............................................................................................38
Prevention ........................................................................................................39
4
PROGRAM CONTACTS
Italy Ofce Address: Indiana University-BCSP
Via Malcontenti, 3
40121 Bologna, Italy
Telephone: 011-39-051-236486 (from the U.S.)
051-236486 (within Italy)
Email: [email protected]
Resident Director: Dr. Andrea Ricci
011-39-340-802-6036 (cell, from the U.S.)
340-802-6036 (cell, within Italy)
Student Services Ms. Danielle Di Leo
Coordinator: 011-39-338-543-4056 (cell, from the U.S.)
338-543-4056 (cell, within Italy)
Useful Websites: bcspbologna.it/how-to-apply (BCSP Site)
unibo.it (University of Bologna)
comune.bologna.it (City of Bologna)
bologna-airport.it (Bologna Airport)
bcspbologna.it (BCSP Bologna website)
trenitalia.com (Italian train schedules)
www.italotreno.it (Italian train schedules)
5
PROGRAM INTRODUCTION
The Bologna Consortial Studies Program (BCSP) is a consortium of Indiana
University, the University of Wisconsin, the University of Pennsylvania, the
University of North Carolina, the University of Illinois, and the University of
Chicago. These universities jointly set the program’s academic standards. Nine
other institutions including Columbia University, Barnard College, Bryn Mawr
College, Cornell University, Mt. Holyoke College, Northwestern University, the
University of Notre Dame, the University of Michigan, and the University of
Minnesota are associate members of BCSP.
This handbook provides general information relevant for academic-
year and semester students from all BCSP schools and from non-
consortium schools. Contact your school’s study abroad advisor regarding
school‑specic academic program and degree requirements, tuition
and program fees, scholarships and nancial aid, and contractual
arrangements.
You should use this handbook and other supplemental materials now as
you prepare to leave and later while you are abroad. Since many student
questions are addressed in this handbook, please consult it before
contacting your study abroad ofce or the IU Ofce of Overseas Study.
Student
Advice
ICONS IN THIS GUIDE
Savvy
Traveler
Tips
Suggestions from study
abroad returnees
Traveling tips to get you
where you're going
Helpful
Program
Information
Information to help prepare
you for study abroad
6
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES FOR STUDYING ABROAD
The goals and objectives of a study abroad program are as diverse as
the students, faculty, and administrators involved. Some goals may be
common (e.g. language acquisition), while others may be more personal
(e.g. becoming independent). Some goals may seem more important to
some than to others (e.g. desire for academic integrity in coursework vs.
desire to travel).
Study abroad programs will provide a more enriching experience if they
incorporate a wide range of goals. The rst step toward the achievement
of these goals is acknowledging and dening them before the program
begins. Once you are abroad, the process continues with a structured
and cooperative approach to achieving these goals. We’ve begun the
process by outlining some goals for your program.
Bologna Consortial Studies Program Goals
• Competence with the Italian language; knowledge of Italian history,
culture, literature and the arts
• Integration into the academic and social environment of the University
of Bologna
• Immersion experience in a supportive environment
• Personal development and growth
Program Elements that Support these Goals
• Resident staff to provide personal and academic advising
• Special courses each semester taught by University of Bologna faculty
for program participants
• Attendance in University of Bologna courses with Italian students
• Coursework integrated into students’ academic goals
• Cultural tours of Bologna and excursions to important but less visited
sites in Italy
• Independently-arranged housing, primarily with Italian students
7
Before You Go
Documents
Academic Record
By June 30 for the fall/academic year program and December 31 for the spring program,
Indiana University’s Ofce of Overseas Study needs evidence from participants of
completed courses with grades from the previous semester. Students need to submit
this directly to the Ofce of Overseas Study.
Passport & Visa
If you do not already have a valid passport, apply for one immediately. You can download
an application at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html/. You can
also pick up an application form and instructions at a post ofce. Turnaround time can
be as much as 12-18 weeks, so submit your application promptly.
You are required to obtain a student visa for your stay in Bologna before you leave
the U.S. A visa, which is a stamp in your passport that permits you to travel or reside
in another country for a stated period of time, is issued by the country’s consulate
in the U.S. In early summer, the Indiana University Ofce of Overseas Study will
send academic year and fall students documentation and instructions to apply for a
student visa. For this purpose, it is essential that you have your passport by mid-May.
If you are not a U.S. citizen, immediately contact the nearest Italian consulate for visa
instructions. Spring semester students will have a shorter timeframe in late fall to
make visa arrangements. Any questions about visa processing must be directed to the
Italian Consulate.
Depending on your citizenship and the timing of your application, you will pursue
the visa application process in one of two ways:
1. Group or Batch Processing (for U.S. citizens only) - Since some Italian
consulates allow programs to offer a group (or batch) processing service for U.S.
citizens within their jurisdiction, some schools may use the batch processing
system for participants who are U.S. citizens. Check with your home school to
see if this option is available to you.
2. Standard Processing - The standard process to apply for a visa requires
collecting documentation (some provided by IU's BCSP and/or your home
institution), scheduling an appointment with the appropriate Italian Consulate
with jurisdiction (based on your permanent or school address), and going in
person to your appointment to submit your application. In some cases, a
student may meet a local Honorary Consul or Consular Correspondent in
person to have their application reviewed and then mail the full application
to the consulate (please verify process with the consulate directly). All
non-U.S. citizens must apply for their visa using standard processing.
• Schedule your appointment early because they ll up quickly.
Student visa regulations for Italy are getting more complicated and time consuming so
8
you are advised NOT to leave the U.S. for any international travel before the program
begins. This is because you will have to surrender your passport to the consulate
anywhere from several weeks to as long as two months or more before the program
starts. If you must be out of the country more than a couple of days immediately prior
to the program start date, there is no guarantee that the consulate will process the visa
in time for your departure.
If you will be abroad prior to the start of the program, please be advised that it is nearly
impossible to obtain a student visa outside of the U.S. In addition, consulates and
embassies outside the U.S. are generally unfamiliar with student visa requirements as
they relate to U.S. students and will often provide conicting or incorrect information
that will ultimately delay the visa application process and jeopardize your chances of
obtaining a visa in a timely manner. Therefore, you should return to the U.S. to obtain
your student visa.
There is a 90-day grace period in which to travel
only in Schengen countries as a tourist to be used
either before the visa start date or after the visa
expiration date. The 90 days do not have to be used
consecutively and can be distributed before or after
the visa validity. Please note that the period is 90
days total for tourism purposes and must be used
in Schengen territory.
When you arrive in Bologna, the program staff will
help you apply for a residency permit (permesso di
soggiorno). This is a rather long process, composed
of multiple steps, and takes up to three months.
Students should not travel outside Italy after 90
days from their arrival if they have not yet received the permit.
Fall only students who decide to extend their studies into the spring semester should
be prepared to return to the U.S. over the winter break to extend their visa.
Health Insurance
Requirements for health insurance coverage vary among the BCSP member schools. In
some cases it is included in the program fee. Be certain that your policy is valid outside
the U.S. and that you understand its terms and benets. Most policies require you to
pay for medical care at the time of service and then le for reimbursement. You will
have to demonstrate to the Italian Consulate that you have medical insurance to obtain
an Italian student visa.
In addition to the U.S. insurance that is required in order to obtain a visa, the BCSP
ofce in Bologna will enroll you in the Italian National Health Care system (SSN,
Sistema Sanitario Nazionale). The enrollment is an onsite cost (see page 9). You
will be assigned a general doctor in Bologna who can prescribe medications, testing
and specialist visits. The enrollment in the SSN will also cover you in case you need
treatment in a public hospital emergency room or other department.
Students with European Passports
It is highly recommended that students with EU citizenship have residency in their
European country and are enrolled in the country’s national health care system. If you
Scan a copy of your
passport page and Italian
visa and save it in your
phone so you can have
easy access to it, should
you need it, while you are
traveling.
Savvy Traveler Tips
9
are not enrolled in any European health care system, then the BCSP ofce in Bologna
will enroll you in the SSN. You can also use the private international health insurance
provided through Indiana University or your home institution, but be prepared to pay
upfront and le for reimbursement.
BCSP Statement of Medical History
All BCSP students are required to complete the BCSP statement of medical history
and return it to IU's Ofce of Overseas Study. If you are on medication or have been
diagnosed with a condition that could become serious, it is extremely important that you
provide a complete medical report including symptoms to look for, recommended rst
aid and therapies, etc. This precaution cannot be
overstated because the amount of time between
admission to hospital and treatment is magnied
when there are language problems and medical
les are in a foreign language—English. The
more information you and your physician can
provide the Resident Director on your statement
of medical history form, the better you can be
assisted in case of need.
Medications Abroad
If you currently take medications, talk to your physician or nurse practitioner about
arrangements for continuing the medications abroad.
Any medications taken overseas should be left in their original containers and be
clearly labeled. You should carry a letter from your physician describing the medical
condition and any prescription medications, including generic names of prescription
drugs. Be prepared for the possibility of having to see a physician abroad to authorize
continued treatment during your time overseas.
Seek help if you need to start, reduce, increase or change your medication while
abroad. Do not make these decisions on your own. Bologna is recognized throughout
Italy and Europe for its excellent doctors, hospitals and medical research.
Pharmacies rotate being open on Sundays. You can nd out which ones are open on the
website http://farmaciediturno.org or posted on the door of your local neighborhood
pharmacy. The Farmacia Comunale in Piazza Maggiore is open 24 hours a day, 7 days
a week. The Farmacia della Stazione is open until 11p.m. Monday-Saturday and until
10p.m. on Sundays.
Program Costs
I. BCSP Fee
The BCSP fee, which covers tuition, initial lodging in Bologna, excursions, group social
activities (and, for some institutions, health insurance), is set by your home university
and varies from institution to institution. The fee is paid in U.S. dollars to your school
(or, for non-consortium students, directly to Indiana University).
II. Onsite Costs
In addition to the fee paid to your home institution, you will need funds in Italy
Being my rst time "away from home"
was in itself very personally challenging,
but it pushed me to nd myself and
gure out who I was and what I want to
do with my life after college.
STUDENT ADVICE
10
for housing (rent, utilities, security deposit, and
condominium fees), groceries, books, all personal and
incidental expenses, and vacation travel. These costs
vary signicantly from student to student because they
are based on individual spending habits and lifestyle,
but in general, costs in Bologna are high. The dollar’s
changing value will also affect costs. Please note that
due to the economy any estimates in the handbook
may vary before your departure for Italy.
One-time variable cost:
Permesso di Soggiorno: €120 (academic year and
semester)
Enrollment in the Italian Health System: €150
(semester) €300 (academic year)
Estimated variable monthly costs:
Housing costs: € 500 – 1,200
Groceries & meals: € 200 – 400
Incidentals, personal expenses, travelling, books: € 500 - 800
Vacation travel:
Extra costs for vacation travel will vary according to each student’s lifestyle and
budget. Based on students’ travel habits that the program has observed in the last
few years, we estimated that expenses usually range between €300 and €1,000 per
month.
Managing Your Money
The European Union monetary unit is the euro (€). The euro functions similarly
to the U.S. dollar in that it is subdivided into 100 cents. There are eight euro coins
denominated in 2 and 1 euros, then 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents. Each euro coin has
a common European face and a face designed by each country that can be used in
every monetary member country. There are six euro notes that are differently sized and
colored, and come in denominations of 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. The notes, unlike
the coins, do not have national sides and are uniform.
For current exchange rates, consult the oanda.com currency converter at
www.oanda.com.
1. Bring € 100 - € 200 to cover expenses over the rst two or three days. Use the
ATMs to periodically withdraw more money.
2. Bring a Cirrus or Plus debit card with four-digit personal identication
number (PIN). With it you can withdraw funds directly from your U.S. checking
account at ATMs throughout Europe at the most favorable exchange rates. This
is the most popular way to obtain cash. Check with your bank about international
transaction fees.
Bologna, Italy
11
Bring a credit card with a four-digit PIN. Visa and MasterCard can be used to obtain
cash advances from ATMs. The credit card company charges a fee for the service,
and computes interest from the date of withdrawal. Verify both your cash advance
and credit limits before you leave the US. Keep a record of all credit card numbers
and emergency telephone numbers in case of theft. Keep PINs separate from cards.
Packing
Bologna has a generally rainy autumn and a cold, damp, even snowy winter. Warm
clothes are absolutely necessary. Italians are extremely fashion conscious and dress with
style and air. Students can get away with more informal clothing. In Bologna there is a
variety of clothing stores for all needs, from high-end boutiques to very reasonable prices.
Weekend ea markets are also popular.
Bring lightweight clothes for the warm weeks in September and June. Rely on easy to dry
clothing and garments that don't require ironing, especially if you plan to travel.
Any appliance you bring should be compatible with the 220 voltage in Italy. You may need
an adaptor because of the different shape of the electrical prongs used in Italy. This is
easily purchased in the U.S. before departure. (i.e. Target, Wal-Mart, etc.) These can also
be purchased at an electronics store in Bologna but can be more expensive.
Pack the following:
q Clothing that is easily washed and dried
(dryers are not common in Italy)
q One good outt for special occasions
q Warm winter coat, sweaters, socks,
scarves, hat, and gloves
q Raincoat and umbrella (umbrellas
can also be purchased cheaply in any
tabaccheria or euro store)
q Laptop computer (there is Wi-Fi
connection at the hotel, BCSP ofce and local libraries and study rooms) and
charger
q Sturdy, comfortable walking shoes (be prepared for lots of walking!)
q Shoes that will remain in good condition through rain and snow
q Sports clothes for the activities you enjoy (hiking, swimming, etc.)
q Supply of contact lenses
q One set of sheets and one towel (if you want to be extra prepared)
q Weekend bag for short trips
q Telephone and email contacts for your academic advisors
q $200 in euros (€) to cover expenses for the rst few days
q Prescription medications
q A copy of all your prescriptions, clearly typed with the generic name of the drug
q Prescription for your glasses or contact lenses
Linens and towels can be purchased at low prices at many local stores.
Don’t bring a lot of extra
clothes because you won’t use
them. Italians dress nicely but
often wear the same outt
several times in one week.
STUDENT ADVICE
12
Mail & Shipping
Parcel post packages from the U.S. to Italy can be sent air mail (from 10 to 12 days, but
you may experience long delays). Federal Express and UPS packages can take up to a
week. If you must ship boxes to Italy, plan to have them arrive after you do. Address
them to: Your First Name and Last Name, c/o Indiana University - BCSP,
Via Malcontenti, 3, 40121 Bologna, Italy. Please note: There is no one to receive
packages at the BCSP ofce from July 1 to August 28 and during the winter break.
Do not provide an estimated value for each item. Be aware that you may be
charged disproportionate fees based on the value of the content. Items estimated
at € 20 or less will most likely not be taxed. Contents estimated between € 20 and €
150 will most likely be taxed at 22% of their value. If you send a gift, take it out of the
original packaging and remove any tags. It is important to list what is in the package
and declare the contents as used. Do not list items as gifts and do not insure
shipments or you will be subject to costly customs fees.
Do not expect to have prescription drugs, contact lenses or cosmetics sent from the
United States. Clearing them through customs involves major difculties and costs.
Stamps are sold at tabaccherie as well as at the Post Ofce. All tabaccheria are
equipped with postal scales for weighing letters and small packages. However, the
tabaccherie may not have stamps for sending mail to the US. Go to the Post Ofce to
send mail internationally. Several commercial mailing companies, such as Mail Boxes
Etc., have ofces in Bologna where you can send packages by Federal Express or UPS.
13
The Program in Bologna
2023-24 Calendar
Fall arrival date .................................................................................. August 28
Fall Orientation .............................................................. August 29 - August 31
Language & Culture Course Session I ..........................................September 4
Language & Culture Course Session II ...................................... September 26
Spring arrival date .............................................................................. January 8
Spring Orientation ...................... ................................................ January 9 - 12
Language & Culture Course Session I .............................................January 15
Language & Culture Course Session II .......................................... February 13
University of Bologna Classes
First semester courses ...........mid-Sept. - late Jan. (academic year students)
End date for fall only students .................................................... December 22
Second semester courses .......................................early February - early June
Examination Periods
First semester courses (for fall only students) ..................... December 5 - 22
First semester courses ........................................ mid-January - early February
Second semester courses .................................................. mid May - late June
Holidays
San Petronio ....................................................................................... October 4
All Saints Day ..................................................................................November 1
Immaculate Conception ..................................................................December 8
Christmas Holiday ......................................................December 24-January 6
Easter Holiday ....................................................................... March 28 - April 2
Liberation Day ........................................................................................ April 25
Labor Day .................................................................................................. May 1
Festa della Repubblica ........................................................................... June 2
Ferragosto .......................................................................................... August 15
There is no central University of Bologna calendar. The beginning and ending dates of
the semester and nal exam schedules vary from one department to another.
14
Arrival and Orientation
Academic year and fall semester participants must arrive in Bologna on Monday, August
28, 2023. Spring semester participants must arrive on Monday, January 8, 2024.
You are responsible for making your own travel arrangements to Bologna. Academic
year students should look for a ticket with an open return date or a very low fee for
changing the return date because you will not know until next spring the dates of your
University of Bologna nal exams in June. Indiana University will send you detailed
instructions regarding where to go when you arrive in Bologna. Please note that
program staff recommend that your ight destination be Bologna (BLQ-
Marconi Airport). As you will be traveling with heavy luggage, you may not want
to have to carry your baggage and take the train to Bologna after a long ight.
Furthermore, other destination choices may cause you to arrive in Bologna later in
the night, and you will be expected to be well rested for a full day of orientation the
following morning.
Your rst week in Bologna will be lled with activities designed to help you get
acquainted with each other and feel comfortable in your new surroundings. These will
include a tour of Bologna; group meetings and activities; applying for your permesso di
soggiorno; getting acquainted with University of Bologna academic procedures; written
and oral language placement examinations; and other practical information.
Students' past experiences have shown that they have found it easier to adjust by
staying in Bologna as much as possible and not traveling too widely outside of Italy.
Students must follow ofcial travel guidelines established by the Italian government,
the Italian Health Ministry and the Emilia-Romagna Region. The staff will remind you
of these restrictions that are based on the public health conditions in various sections
of Italy.
You can consult conditions and restrictions that the European Union members are
putting into practice (see https://reopen.europa.eu/en or download the ReOpen EU
app).
BCSP Program Oce
Here the Resident Director, Dr. Ricci, holds ofce hours, conducts academic advising
and meets with students individually to answer questions and help resolve problems.
The Assistant Director for Student Services, Danielle Di Leo, assists you with reserving
your housing prior to arrival in Bologna, provides information about cell phones, health
insurance, permesso di soggiorno, and helps with other student needs. Students
receive their mail at the program ofce as well as notices of program activities,
deadlines, and cultural opportunities in the area.
The ofce is a convenient meeting place, and it houses a modest collection of reference
texts in English and Italian for background reading and classes. Alert the Resident
Director of additional texts, guidebooks, etc., that could be acquired for common use.
Available for student use are PCs (with Microsoft Ofce and internet connections),
wireless network, and a printer.
15
Bologna
Bologna—the ancient Etruscan Felsina and later Bononia to the Romans—is known
as la dotta, for the prestige and importance of the university, la rossa, for both its
predominant coloration and the long-standing leftist government, and la grassa,
because of the superior quality of its cuisine and the wealth of the population. It is
consistently ranked as one of the most livable cities in Italy.
Bologna’s appearance testies to its long and important history. Characteristic features
include the centro storico, whose shape is determined by the last circle of medieval
city walls, and Le Due Torri, the two tallest towers that remain of the more than 200
that once bristled skyward, proclaiming the wealth and power of their owners. The
basilica of S. Petronio, the third largest church in Italy after the cathedral of Florence
and St. Peter’s in Rome, commemorates the fth-century bishop of Bologna who is
still regarded as the city’s most important patron saint. The Piazza Maggiore, with
S. Petronio on one side, the adjoining Piazza Nettuno, dominated by the magnicent
Neptune fountain by Giambologna, and Piazza Re Enzo, constitutes one of the most
gracious and beautiful promenade areas in Italy. But the miles and miles of porticoes
give the city its most distinctive character, providing protection from the sun in summer
and the rain in winter.
Bologna is the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region. With about 390,000 inhabitants,
Bologna is just the right size, small enough to project a friendly and intimate
atmosphere and large enough to support a rich cultural life of music, both modern and
classical (the opera house is among the best known in Italy) and art, with museums
and churches containing masterpieces, for example, by Raphael and Michelangelo,
and frequent exhibitions of contemporary art. The city maintains an authentic Italian
character. Bologna enjoys very high income per person and very low unemployment.
The history of Bologna has been repeatedly marked by conict: invasions, rebellions,
and turmoil instigated by erce competition among the powerful local families. Off and
on for centuries the city belonged to the Pope. It was ruled by papal legates until 1859
when it passed by plebiscite to the Kingdom of Savoy, thus to become part of unied
Italy. Overlapping this ancient city, many of whose buildings and monuments still bear
papal coats-of-arms, is a sophisticated and prosperous modern city with boutiques
whose windows display elegantly tailored apparel and exquisitely fashioned leather
goods, food shops lled with still-life arrangements of fruits and vegetables, stores
that display the nest in Italian housewares, restaurants, and a thriving student scene.
Because of its position at the foot of the Apennines in the broad plain of Emilia,
Bologna has been since its founding a major crossroads. Today, it serves as a railway
hub, providing easy access to Florence and Ravenna or Venice, Milan, and Rome.
University of Bologna
The University of Bologna, located in the city center, mainly around Via Zamboni, is
the oldest institution of higher learning in Europe. Established at the end of the 11th
century primarily as a law school, it soon afterward developed its ancient tradition
of humanistic studies. Petrarch, Copernicus and Tasso studied there. In 1988 the
University celebrated its 900th anniversary with great pageantry. It has repeatedly
been ranked as the most prestigious university in Italy.
16
The Academic Program
Academic Advising
The Resident Director oversees all academic matters. Students will meet with him to
determine which University of Bologna and BCSP courses they will take. University of
Bologna course reviews written by former BCSP students are available in the program
ofce. Students should use these prudently, remembering that many personal factors
enter into the remarks offered by students of varying skills and expectations.
Check carefully with academic advisors on your home campus prior to departure to
determine which courses or types of courses will meet your degree requirements.
Use the University of Bologna website (www.unibo.it). Check various dipartimenti and
scuole for course listings. The use of these listings, in conjunction with the advising
sheet you submitted before departure, will result in a more effective advising session
on-site. Course schedules for the academic year at the University of Bologna are not
released until very shortly before classes actually begin in the fall term, so you will not
be able to select courses until late September for fall and January for spring. There will
be little time to write home for enrollment advice before classes begin.
All students will be required to take the BCSP Advanced Course in Italian Language
& Culture offered each semester. Students should take the improvement of their
uency and accuracy in the Italian language as one of their primary goals during their
year or semester abroad.
University of Bologna Calendar
Courses for most departments begin toward the end of September or beginning of
October for the fall, and end of January or beginning of February for the spring. Each
scuola of the university operates according to its own calendar. There is no common
Schedule of Classes containing all the information about the academic year. Not all
classes begin at the same time: the schedule depends on the particular department
and on the individual professor.
As you can imagine, the lack of a common schedule of classes may create difculties
when you are trying to put your schedules together and when BCSP is scheduling
program courses, so exibility is necessary.
Course Load
Students choose a combination of BCSP courses and University of Bologna (Unibo)
courses. All students will take 15 credits per semester.
Academic year students are required to take the BCSP Advanced Course in Italian
Language & Culture in the fall and at least one content course at BCSP during the
spring. Over the course of the year, AY students must take at least three Unibo courses
(usually six U.S. credits each). Most students will typically enroll in two Unibo courses
during the fall semester along with BCSP Advanced Language & Culture and one
BCSP content course. This combination has been helpful in getting students gradually
acclimated to the courses at Unibo.
Fall-only students and spring-only students are required to take a minimum of 15
credits, including BCSP Advanced Course in Italian Language & Culture, and at least
one Unibo course. Please note that fall students need to arrange to take only those
17
courses at Unibo for which they may take the nal exams prior to departure.
Note: Comparable gures for students on different academic calendars are 10
semester units for the academic year (ve for a semester) and 40 quarter units for
academic year (or 20 for a semester). Again, the course load will include a combination
of University of Bologna and BCSP program courses.
Most courses at Unibo are taught in a single semester and meet six hours per week.
BCSP students may enroll in courses offered by any department, across all elds of
study. With the approval of the Resident Director, you will be allowed to take courses
in English (offered by Unibo) especially if they are related to your major eld of study.
Grading Policies
At the end of each semester, the Resident Director sends all grade reports and course
titles to Indiana University, which in turn forwards them to your home institutions,
each of which has its own system for reporting program courses and grades on its
transcripts.
Pass/fail policies vary by school. It is the student's responsibility to be in contact with
their home school to inquire about the pass/fail policy and deadlines.
Grading scale for BCSP students: Italians use a grading scale of 18 to 30. BCSP will
apply the following scale* to these numerical grades for Unibo courses, depending on
the grading policies of your home institution:
Incompletes
All coursework must be completed and submitted by the end of the term and prior
to your departure from the host country. No incomplete grades are permitted for
overseas courses. Unnished coursework will result in a grade of F for the course. Only
documented illness is considered a legitimate excuse for missing a nal examination.
BCSP Program Courses
The BCSP offers a limited number of special courses for its students. These courses
are taught in Italian by University of Bologna faculty. Although program courses are
similar to those taught at the university, professors are sensitive to the special needs of
BCSP students for background material which Italian students have already mastered.
Each BCSP course meets for approximately three months and is equivalent to three
semester credits.
The Advanced Language & Culture course (fall and spring) is dedicated to the
improvement of students’ skills in Italian language, vocabulary, and syntax for daily
conversation and introductory academic writing. An intensive course with numerous
writing exercises and extensive oral practice in class, “Advanced Language & Culture”
must be taken by all students.
For all of the BCSP course syllabi and descriptions, please see:
http://www.bcspbologna.it/academics/syllabi/
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Italian University Structure
Part of the BCSP program experience will be learning to operate in the much less
centrally organized Italian university system. In the U.S. students take courses in several
disciplines each semester, and rely on a university‑wide schedule of classes distributed
well in advance of the academic year to plan courses. The absence of such a schedule in
Italy may give the impression that the University of Bologna is disorganized and chaotic.
It is important to realize that Italian students specialize early in their academic careers
and typically take a xed sequence of courses in a single discipline. They are unlikely to
experience scheduling conicts even if their professors wait to announce which courses
they will teach just before classes begin, or set class meeting times and exam schedules
individually. Because the departments operate independently, the university does not
function according to a single calendar. Classes in different disciplines do not begin at
the same time or on the same date.
You will have to take the initiative in locating class schedules. Information about class
offerings is available 2‑4 weeks before classes begin. All schedules are posted on the
university's website.
Most Italian faculty use a formal lecture format but some encourage student discussion
or questions in class, especially in small seminar classes. Instructors expect to be
addressed as Lei, and greeted with Buon giorno or Buona sera, never Ciao.
Oral Exams
Although some courses also require written papers, the course grade in many
University of Bologna classes rests on a brief nal oral exam. It is critical, therefore, to
determine early in the term what material the professor expects you to master for the
exam. Professor do not distribute a syllabus with day-by-day readingassignments or
homework. Meet with your professors early in the course to determine specic course
requirements. Some professors require you to master a manual or general textbook in
addition to material covered in lectures, and still others enumerate specic texts over
which you will be tested.
Pacing Yourself
Without daily assignments you will be tempted to postpone coursework. It is important
to begin reading seriously from the beginning of the course. Trying to cram a semester's
worth of university-level reading in Italian into the last weeks can be traumatic. You will
nd most University of Bologna professors helpful and accessible during their ofce
hours (ore di ricevimento).
Libraries
The extraordinary resources of the University of Bologna’s main library (via Zamboni),
the Archiginnasio (Piazza Galvani), the Sala Borsa (Piazza Maggiore), and numerous
departmental libraries are linked and accessible via the city-wide online catalogue
19
known as the Polo (sol.unibo.it). Students should keep in mind that many books
cannot be checked out. Rather, many works they will use during their studies must
be consulted in the library. Brief loan periods are available for students with a valid
university ID; However, the number of books is normally limited to three at a time.
Some students nd the small departmental libraries scattered throughout the city
easier to use once they learn the sometimes limited schedules for these collections
concentrated in particular areas of interest (art history, Italian literature, political
science). The BCSP ofce has a small collection of frequently consulted reference
works and some primary and secondary source materials.
Computers & Email
The BCSP ofce has computers (running on Windows) connected to the internet and a
printer for student use.
The BCSP ofce is also equipped with free Wi-Fi service which allows you to use your
own laptop to connect to the internet. Computers must be switchable to 220 VAC, that
is built with their own internal or powerpack conversion capacity, handling both volts
and cycles.
The University of Bologna will provide BCSP students with free email accounts. Many
University of Bologna buildings and libraries are provided with Wi-Fi service.
20
Life in Bologna
Housing
For historical reasons, the University of Bologna does not have a campus similar to
an American university. University buildings are located in various sections of the city.
However, Bologna is a medium-size city that is easy to navigate by foot, bike or bus with
easy access to university classes. Local students usually live in shared apartments
that are a 10 to 30 minute walk from their classes. And they do most of their own
cooking at home or eat out. All neighborhoods have fresh fruit and vegetable markets,
supermarkets, restaurants, cafés, stores, gyms, and theaters.
BCSP students live in apartments or apartment-style residences with a mix of Italian,
international and/or BCSP students. The housing options are located either in the city
center or within walking distance to the center. It is easy for BCSP students to meet
up with each other in the city or at the BCSP ofce. BCSP students often say how
happy they are to widen their social circles through their friends’ Italian roommates.
While it’s possible to meet Italian and international students in class, living with Italian
peers provides another more constant and familiar way to improve language skills,
be involved in the culture, and integrate into the academic and social environment in
Bologna.
Upon acceptance to the program, IU’s Ofce of Overseas Study sends students a housing
provider overview and, after reviewing their options, students are asked to submit a
preference form to the BCSP ofce in Bologna. Students are highly encouraged to
arrange housing from the U.S. as soon as they receive the overview. Housing providers
generally work rst-come, rst-served and do not hold aside places for BCSP students.
The BCSP staff helps put housing providers and students in touch with one another
so that the process of conrming housing may begin. The process typically consists in
paying the security deposit by bank wire and signing a contract proposal. The BCSP
staff is always available for linguistic and cross-cultural support for both the student
and the housing provider. BCSP students have had positive previous experiences in the
housing being offered.
At the start of orientation, BCSP arranges accommodation in a hotel near the ofce
to give students time to settle into the city and make arrangements for moving in.
Apartments are furnished but students need to shop for personal items such as sheets,
towels, blankets, and some kitchen supplies (not always applicable). As a student-
friendly city, Bologna is full of inexpensive home-accessories stores. Apartments are
normally equipped with washing machines, clothes drying racks (since dryers are not
common in Italy), and internet connection.
Cell Phones
The program will assist you with obtaining an Italian phone number as soon as you
arrive. If your phone is locked by your U.S. provider, you will have to purchase a new
one in Bologna or have your provider unblock your phone. We advise to check with
your provider before your departure. Having an Italian number is a critical means of
communication with your housing provider, medical and safety services, the BCSP staff
and your peers. This is required by the BCSP Emergency Procedures.
Food
The food in Bologna is among the best in all of Italy, and it is difcult not to eat well.
There are inexpensive eateries like pizzerie, self‑
service restaurants, and bars serving
panini. See our "Guide to Living in Bologna" for more detailed information available
online at (https://www.bcspbologna.it/docs/Guide_to_Bologna.pdf). Also, try the fairly
inexpensive trattorie, rosticcerie and tavole calde in Bologna's various neighborhoods.
In nearly all sit-down eating establishments a cover charge is added to the check.
Tipping is not expected.
Grocery Shopping and Recycling
Bologna has many grocery and department stores: PAM, Coop, and Conad (for
groceries); UPIM, Coin and OVS (department stores). The market off Via San Vitale
in Piazza Aldrovandi has good prices on fruits and vegetables, as do the downtown
markets (Mercato di Mezzo in Via Caprarie), and the Mercato delle Erbe (Via Ugo
Bassi).
Hours of store operation vary, but most are open all day, until 7:30 p.m. Carrefour
Express (Piazza di Porta Castiglione 14, near the entrance to the Giardini Margherita)
is the only supermarket in the city center open 24 hours.
Food is sold by the hectogram (etto, about 1/4 pound) or kilogram (2.2 pounds). In
some stores you must purchase plastic shopping bags; save them for reuse. Bring a
tote bag or shopping cart to avoid having to buy bags.
Paper, plastic, aluminum cans and glass are recycled in Bologna. You can identify
these containers throughout the streets of the city.
Personal Shopping
Bologna, like all Italian cities, offers a wide variety of shopping options for clothes,
shoes or accessories. In central Bologna you can nd everything from ea markets
to old, charming, family run shops alongside new, cutting edge, high fashion couture
houses. Outside of the center, you can nd American-style malls.
Be advised that most stores will not accept returns. Some stores accept returns within
21
22
15 days, usually for store credit. Otherwise, there is no option to return merchandise.
Medical Care
Bologna is known for its sound and innovative health care system. Its university clinic
(Ospedale Sant'Orsola) is one of the top European medical institutions. The BCSP
ofce has the names of competent doctors, dentists, and psychologists if you need
help. Some speak English. The Resident Director and Student Services Coordinator are
available to accompany you to medical facilities whenever necessary.
Banking
It is impossible to open a bank account without residency in Italy. Students typically
rely on withdrawals at ATMs from their home bank accounts. If students need to pay
rent by bank wire, they should order the wire from their U.S. bank account or look into
using services such as https://wise.com/it.
Banks are open 8:20 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and many re-open
in the afternoons from 2:40 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. They are all closed on Saturdays and
Sundays.
Public Transportation
Bologna has an excellent bus system. A single ticket (corsa semplice) costs € 2 (if
purchased on board the bus) or € 1,50 (if purchased in a tabaccheria before boarding
the bus). The City Pass (one ticket worth 10 rides) costs € 14. There are two apps from
which you can buy a ticket: Roger and Muver..
The ticket, valid for 75 minutes on any number of buses, must be machine-stamped
as you enter the bus; if a controllore catches you without a ticket (or a stamped ticket),
nes range from €60 to €200. Tickets can be purchased on board (from the red
machines) or from tabaccherie.
Buses are crowded during peak hours: early morning, lunch hour, and evenings. Expect
to stand at these times. Senior citizens and people with disabilities should always
be given seats. When you need to get through the crowd to get off at your stop, ask
“permesso,” "scusi," or "scusatemi". Stops are called by pressing red buttons located
on grab bars.
TPER, the bus transportation service in Bologna, offers a discounted monthly pass
to under 27 year olds. The University of Bologna, in collaboration with TPER, offers
students a € 10 bus pass for the academic year. Instructions to obtain the pass are
posted to the BCSP ofce bulletin board.
For more information about bus routes and timetables visit the TPER website:
https://www.tper.it
23
Working & Volunteering in Italy
Opportunities for non-credit internships and volunteer positions are frequently
available for students who desire to integrate more fully in the Italian culture. Recently,
students were placed in internship roles in museums, local schools, law rms, and
city international economic development ofces. Many families seek English tutors
and babysitters, and businesses value native English speakers who are competent in
Italian.
Students should let the BCSP staff know if they are interested in an internship or
volunteer opportunity. Students are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week on
their visa status.
Social Activities
During the year BCSP will arrange excursions to cities of interest such as Ravenna,
Urbino, Padova, Florence, Sansepolcro, and other off the beaten track locations. These
trips usually include a guided tour and a group meal at a restaurant typical of the area.
Trips are included in program fees. There is no refund for those who do not participate.
The program also organizes dinners, Thanksgiving dinner
, an exchange student mixer
and other social activities.
Bologna offers a great variety of musical, artistic, literary and cultural events, which are
well publicized through websites such as www.bolognawelcome.com. The BCSP ofce
also posts information about events on its bulletin board. Students receive discounts
at opera and movie theaters.
Tra ve l
Trains
In general, Europe has an excellent railroad system that is fast and reliable.
Tickets are available at rst- and second-class prices. Check the websites
www.trenitalia.com and www.italotreno.it for ticket information and itineraries.
There are a few different types of trains in Italy. Le Frecce, the alta velocità or high
speed, requires a seat reservation. The trip between Bologna and Florence takes
thirty minutes; Bologna and Milan one hour; Bologna and Rome two hours and fteen
minutes. The local trains (Regionale), the least expensive, do not always require a
reserved seat and make frequent stops. The trip between Bologna and Ravenna is one
hour, Bologna and Ferrara thirty minutes. Regionale tickets without a seat reservation
must be machine stamped before boarding the train. The machines are easy to nd;
they are yellow and distributed throughout the stations.
A student may sign up for the Carta Freccia, a "frequent traveler" card, which entitles
the holder to ticket discounts.
At all times on board trains, keep credit cards, cash, and passports in a safe place,
such as a money belt or pouch around your neck.
24
Automobiles
Only Italian citizens and foreign residents may have a driver’s license in Italy. Renting a
car in Europe can be expensive, and gasoline costs more than in the U.S. because it is
measured by the liter, not by the gallon.
Bicycling
Many students purchase used bicycles in Bologna. The city center is easily navigated
by foot, but navigating the streets between classes is faster and easier by bike. Other
bike friendly cities in the Emilia Romagna region include Ferrara and Parma. Bikes
may be transported on some trains. Check the Trenitalia and Italo websites for more
information.
Hostels
Youth hostels provide clean, inexpensive, albeit spartan accommodations throughout
Western Europe. See https://www.hiusa.org.
Air Travel
The Aeroporto Gugliemo Marconi (airport code BLQ) is an international airport served
by many European and international airlines (www.bologna-airport.it). You can reach
the airport by taxi (051 4590 or 051 372727) or using the Marconi Express
(https://www.marconiexpress.it/).
25
Safety & Responsibility
BSCP will work to protect your health and safety overseas, but you must take
responsibility for the results of your decisions, choices and behavior. Before the
program, read carefully and consider the information given to you by your study abroad
ofce regarding your health and any special needs; and together with your family,
review your university’s safety and responsibility guidelines. You are also encouraged
to consult the State Department Consular Information Sheets and Travel Warnings at
http://travel.state.gov and the Centers for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov
and to enroll in STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program,
https://step.state.gov/step). While BCSP can provide information about health and safety
issues, we cannot eliminate all risks from a study abroad environment or ensure that U.S.
standards of due process will be applied in legal proceedings outside this country.
Legal Issues
Student Responsibilities
By your signature on the BCSP Agreement and Release form, you have agreed 1) to
respect the laws and customs of the host country, your university’s Code of Student
Ethics, and all other reasonable standards of conduct promulgated by BCSP, its
agents and consortium partners, and 2) to participate fully in the academic program
by attending classes and remaining at the host institution for the full semester or
academic year for which you are enrolled
. You have acknowledged that if the Resident
Director, with the concurrence of the Managing Director of BCSP, determines that your
conduct is detrimental to the best interests of the program or the BCSP and its member
institutions, your participation in the program may be terminated.
The University of Bologna has the primary responsibility for discipline in connection
with violations of its regulations. Although university ofcials may consult with BCSP
representatives concerning student misconduct, nal disposition rests with the
University of Bologna and in extreme cases may also become a matter of concern
to the Italian government. For example, student demonstrations that start out on a
peaceful basis can rapidly escalate into confrontations with the police.
Illegal Drugs
Avoid illegal drugs. Drugs can impair your judgment in situations that require increased
awareness. In Italy, possession brings three years in prison; trafcking, three to eight.
Persons arrested on drug charges are not eligible for bail. Neither the University of
Bologna nor U.S. ofcials can intervene.
26
Safety Issues
Please be especially alert to the following aspects of living abroad, which may not at
rst appear to you as safety or health issues:
Alcohol
One of the best ways to protect yourself abroad is to avoid excessive drinking. Although
alcohol may be more accessible at your program site than in the U.S., if you drink
alcohol at all, do so in moderation. Not only may inebriation be culturally offensive,
more importantly, it can impair your judgment in critical moments when you most need
to be alert (e.g. driving, nding your way home late at night, socializing with strangers,
etc.).
Hazardous Activities
Students abroad sometimes participate in new activities in which they are not well-
practiced or procient. Be cautious if you’re attempting any activity that has an
element of danger or risk, particularly if you are far from assistance. These activities
can include but are not limited to rock climbing, cliff jumping, snorkeling, bungee
jumping, skydiving and skiing. Most international or Italian health insurances will not
cover medical expenses incurred by injuries in extreme sports or through the use of
drugs and alcohol.
Emotional Health
You are likely to experience some form of culture shock during your time abroad, but
this should not be confused with a serious emotional crisis. If you feel withdrawn or
detached and cannot cope with your environment, ask the program director on-site for
guidance and/or a recommendation for a skilled health care provider.
We urge you to disclose any special conditions on your medical form so that the staff
can assist you with making appropriate contacts with health and therapy providers in
Bologna. Should a condition emerge during the program, share this with a BCSP staff
member.
Any medication that you take for a mental health condition should be listed on your
medical form. You should also continue taking your medication abroad since any
interruption in medication can produce serious consequences.
Political Disturbances
In the event of anti-American activity abroad, maintain a low prole. etc.) Do not
approach unattended packages in public places. Be cautious and report any unclaimed
object. Avoid protests.
Be sure to stay in frequent touch with the staff during periods of political unrest or
turmoil. It is critical for you to keep your cell phone on, battery charged and with credit
for calls and texting, so that the staff can reach you with instructions or information.
Sexual Harassment or Sexual Assault
If you feel you may be the victim of sexual harassment or assault, you may wish to consult
the program staff. They can help you sort out the difference between unacceptable
harassment and culturally acceptable behavior, which is nonetheless uncomfortable
27
for you. In the case of sexual harassment or assault, you may want to le a report
at the local police station with the assistance of the program staff on-site. There are
Title IX campus reporting requirements at your home institution that staff will have to
follow as long as they are in keeping with European data protection rules under GDPR.
Staff will discuss these details with you after you report an incident to them.
Dating and Sexual Behavior
A survey on dating and sexual behavior while abroad was conducted of IU study abroad
returnees. Although each person will make individual choices regarding relationship(s)
while abroad, knowing the experiences of some of your peers might provide some
useful insights.
In terms of whom students date, they report dating more host nationals than program
participants, and men seem to be involved in a greater number of relationships than
women. Students also reported that sexual norms differed from the United States. It
is important to understand the norms of the country where you will be studying. You
can learn about these through various sources - books, guidebooks to some extent,
discussions with program staff, host nationals, and observing the behavior of others.
Many students reported that their relationships abroad gave them access to a greater
understanding of the culture in which they lived. Others reported that by not engaging
in serious relationships they were able to gain more since they could focus on other
activities. Consider all these issues if you plan on being involved in a relationship,
sexual or otherwise, while studying abroad.
The survey also indicates that the patterns students form while at IU in terms of (a)
being sexually active or not, and (b) using methods of pregnancy prevention and STD
protection largely carry over when they study abroad. If you anticipate being sexually
active while abroad, consider bringing a supply of the pregnancy and STD prevention
protection you currently use.
Use social media and dating apps with caution. Never meet a stranger you met online
in a private place. If you have questions about Italian social or dating culture, talk with
the BCSP program staff.
Travel Safety
Air Travel
Increased security measures at airport facilities and on aircrafts will require that
you take additional precautions when ying. You should be prepared to comply with
multiple document checks, baggage searches, and inquiries. Be patient — these steps
are being taken for your protection.
Packing: Examine everything that you normally pack in your suitcase and evaluate
whether an object could be scrutinized by airport security. (This includes items found in
manicure kits, etc.) Consider removing anything that could be perceived as threatening,
or may raise suspicion at a security-screening checkpoint. No knives of any size will be
accepted. Avoid over-packing so that carry-on luggage and checked suitcases can be
opened and closed with ease.
Airport etiquette: Arrive at the airport early (at least two to three hours before
28
scheduled departure). Be sure to have your ticket, paperwork, permesso di soggiorno
and passport available.
In transit: Maintain your sense of awareness and keep your possessions with you at
all times.
Upon arrival: Have your luggage receipts available for verication when retrieving
luggage.
Motor Vehicle Travel
Everyday trafc accidents are the main cause of injury to students traveling abroad.
The road-safety standards and risks for Western Europe are similar to those in the U.S.,
but the more adventuresome a destination you choose, the more primitive the roads,
vehicles, emergency medical resources, safety equipment, and licensing standards
inevitably become. In developing countries, you may be exposed to narrow, winding
roads with no guardrails on hairpin turns, poorly maintained vehicles, and dangerously
overcrowded buses. Even in developed countries drivers may be more aggressive than
in the U.S. and speeding and passing may be more common.
• Keep track of local holidays that increase trafc. Exercise the same caution you
would on a holiday weekend in the U.S.
• Don’t rent or ride in a car without a seat belt.
• Demand that taxi and bus drivers drive safely. “Slow down,” “Stop,” and “Let me
out,” are three of the most powerful phrases you can learn.
• Do not hitchhike. You risk accidents, theft, and personal assault.
• Think carefully before renting motorcycles or motor scooters since they pose
serious safety risks. Check with your home institution's policy on such rentals.
The Association for Safe International Road Travel (www.asirt.org) offers statistics, tips
and articles about road safety around the world.
Pedestrian Travel
• Avoid crowded areas where you are most likely to be robbed: crowded subways,
train stations, marketplaces, festivals. Don’t use narrow alleys or poorly lit
streets.
• Avoid travel alone at night.
• Beware of pickpockets. They often have an accomplice who will jostle you, ask
for directions or the time, point to something spilled on your clothing, or distract
you by causing a disturbance. Vagrant children may create a distraction while
picking your pocket.
• Try to seem purposeful while you move about. Even if you are lost, act as if you
know what you are doing. Go into a store, restaurant, hotel, or other identiable
place, to ask for directions or to use a phone.
Train Travel
Well-organized, systematic robbery of passengers on trains along popular tourist routes
29
is a serious problem. It is more common at night and especially on overnight trains.
• Lock your compartment or take turns sleeping in shifts with your traveling
companions. If that is not possible, stay awake.
• Don’t accept food or drink from strangers.
Preparing for Change
Self-Reection
You naturally expect to learn a great deal about Italian history and culture while you are
abroad, but you may also grapple with personal issues while you are away from home.
All students experience growth and change during this period of self-awareness, but
some of you may face unique challenges and adaptations abroad. Living abroad can
mean leaving behind important social, physical and legal supports that you will not
nd in Italy; but most of you will nd Italy comfortable and welcoming. For bibliography
and more information on the topics described below, consult your study abroad
administrators.
Dierent Abilities
The passage of legislation such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and
the Americans with Disabilities Act has spurred schools in the U.S. to accommodate
students with varying abilities. Other countries are not bound by U.S. legislation and
physical facilities and academic resources vary signicantly from one overseas site to
another.
The BCSP endeavors to provide reasonable accommodation for students with
documented disability conditions (e.g. physical, learning, etc.), but only if you disclose
your needs to us well before the program begins. If you are currently receiving
disability-related accommodations at your home school or anticipate needing them at
your program site, send documentation that conrms the disability, information about
the accommodation currently provided, and details about accommodation requested
abroad. The BCSP will then be in a position to work with you to seek appropriate
responses for your needs.
Race/Ethnicity
U.S. citizens often identify strongly with their family’s cultural and ethnic heritage
and refer to themselves as Asian-American, Italian-American, African-American, or
Hispanic-American. In other countries such ethnic differences are often overlooked,
and U.S. students report that for the rst time they have been identied (and have
identied themselves) as simply “American.”
Race and ethnic relations vary widely from country to country. Ask your study abroad
ofce to put you in contact with a student or faculty member who has experience with
race and ethnicity issues in Italy.
30
Sexual Orientation
Living in another culture provides an opportunity for self-exploration and individual
growth. You may question your sexual identity for the rst time while you are abroad, or
you may already have identied yourself as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. In any
case, it is important to know the attitude of the host country toward sexual orientation
issues. The Gay and Lesbian Legal Guide for Overseas Travel gives a brief summary of
how homosexuality is viewed in each country worldwide. An excellent website on gay,
lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues is located at
https://overseas.iu.edu/planning/expectations/identityresources.html. If you have
concerns about this issue, contact your study abroad ofce and the program staff
abroad regarding the situation in Italy.
Personal Adjustment
Part of your success abroad will depend on how well you have prepared the logistics
covered earlier in this handbook, but it is even more important for you to prepare
yourself for cultural adjustments and personal growth.
Your expectations
Take a personal inventory of your expectations. What do you hope to get out of the
experience overseas? Identify your goals—in terms of language acquisition, academic
growth and career. How are you going to achieve them? How will you track your
personal growth during this experience? Outlining your goals now and then keeping
a journal abroad will help you map both your inner and outer journeys. Indeed, daily
writing, which attempts to interpret and reinterpret the cross-cultural meanings of your
experiences, may be your most powerful learning tool.
After You Return
Give some thought to the way you will integrate your experiences abroad into your life
back in the U.S. Once you have successfully integrated into Italian culture you will need
to be intentional about picking up the threads of your American life after the program
ends. Some advance planning will make the process smoother.
American Identity
Before you can understand another culture, you should understand your own. What
does it mean to be American? What characteristics, values and attitudes dene
American culture? What generalizations can you make about American attitudes
towards education, gender, family, money, politics, race, relationships, religion,
success, time, work? How do American values affect your attitudes toward others, your
friendship patterns, your work habits, the way you spend your time and money? How
do Americans measure success in life? What role does tradition play in our culture? A
clear understanding of what is characteristically American (and the many variations)
will give you a better chance of appreciating similarities and differences in another
culture.
How exible are you? Once you have identied your American values, patterns and
31
habits, think about the strategies that will help you adjust to different ways of dating,
dressing, eating, shopping, banking, relating to professors, and studying.
Learn about the United States
Every student abroad is inevitably put in the position of having to explain (or even
defend) the home country’s political or economic system or its stance on global issues.
If you begin now to keep abreast of the U.S. role in global activities, you will be more
articulate when you are questioned about U.S. policies and reactions to world issues.
In addition, students often report that they wish they had brushed up on such basics
as how a bill becomes a law in the U.S. or the composition of the European Union
before going abroad.
Remember, however, that you probably don’t want to get into a hostile debate with
questioners or automatically defend everything that is American. What are some
strategies for deecting potentially hostile questions so that they lead to conversations
in which everybody listens and everyone learns?
Your Appearance
Carefully consider how you will dress. American students often comment that their
clothing gives them away instantly as foreigners and can make them more vulnerable
to derogatory remarks and as potential targets for petty thefts. While you shouldn’t
expect to buy a new wardrobe while abroad, you may want to plan to wear items of
your own clothing that t in better with the local culture. You’ll discover that shorts,
halters and skimpy tops are mainly worn near seaside towns, rarely in urban centers
except by tourists. You’ll also discover that casual lounging clothes--including oversized
t-shirts with humorous logos and sweat/yoga pants that are very common on college
campuses--are not worn in big cities abroad or at urban universities. And before you
don what many cultures might interpret as ‘revealing’ clothing observe what native
citizens who are your age in that country are wearing. You may also discover that ip-
ops and sneakers are not necessarily the norm for footwear outside of the U.S., at
least not for all occasions. Part of the acculturation process is trying to blend in so that
you minimize your role as an outsider. Be prepared to be as exible about your clothing
as you are about other aspects of your behavior.
Cultural Dierences
Acceptable behavior in the U.S. may cause embarrassment, frustration or amusement
in Italy. American women, for example, often discover that Italian males display what
would be considered very aggressive behavior and that female responses considered
to be merely polite here—direct eye contact, smiling, saying “Hi” as you pass on the
street—can be interpreted as “come‑ons” in Italy. For some women, the best technique
is to ignore or pretend not to hear the unwanted advances, while moving purposefully
and soberly toward a destination. For safety’s sake, follow the same self‑defense
precautions you use in any large U.S. city: walk with a companion after dark, avoid
deserted or dangerous areas, refuse rides from people you do not know, etc.
It is very bad form in Italy to show signs of overindulgence in alcohol. Shopkeepers and
waiters should be addressed formally, as Lei, and greeted with Buon giorno or Buona
sera, not Ciao.
32
An excellent introduction to cultural differences is Survival Kit for Overseas Living, 4th
edition by L. Robert Kohls (2001).
Learn about the host country
Learn as much as possible about Italy before you go, since understanding the culture
will facilitate your adjustment to living there. How do you plan to inform yourself about
Italy before arrival? Taking courses is one method, but you can also independently
explore histories, periodicals, novels, travel books, movies, blogs, and vlogs that inform
you about the differences in daily life you will encounter overseas. Be careful when
talking about history, family, and religion. Jokes about fascism, and family are sensitive
topics in Italian culture.
Gender Roles
Both male and female students abroad will discover that growing up in the U.S. has
prepared them for different roles in society than the ones their contemporaries in other
countries expect. Many events in recent decades have heightened U.S. awareness
of gender stereotypes, sexism and the limitations of traditional male-female roles.
However, it may not be politic to suggest to your host country friends that U.S. patterns
are appropriate for their culture. Instead, look at gender difference in the host culture
from its historical and sociological perspective. Since you will be viewed according
to the gender expectations of the host culture, you may feel uncomfortable at times.
This is particularly true for female students who may nd themselves the targets of
unwanted attention.
Religion
Few countries have the religious diversity and pluralism that you nd in the U.S. and
few have such a strong tradition of separation of church and state. As a result, you may
be struck by the number of public holidays that are based on a religious calendar and
the extent of public prayer and public religious ceremonies. You will have to probe to
understand the relationship between the external, ritual manifestations of religion and
individual beliefs or the role of religion as a political element or an active social force.
If you wish to be afliated with a religious community abroad, check with your local
place of worship for contacts or discuss your interests with program staff overseas.
Former students may also be able to advise you regarding your options.
Culture Shock
“Culture shock” is the term used to describe the disorientation that every student
experiences to some degree when spending an extended period in a new culture. The
common symptoms include homesickness, boredom, withdrawing from the culture by
spending excessive amounts of time alone or with other Americans, excessive sleeping,
compulsive eating, irritability, stereotyping of or hostility toward host country nationals,
weepiness or even some psychosomatic illnesses.
Although you will probably experience some degree of culture shock, you certainly
won’t have all these symptoms. If you recognize what is happening, keep busy, and
ask friends and the BCSP ofce staff for help when you need it, culture shock will not
last long.
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During your period abroad, you may move through several natural stages of cultural
adaptation. These include:
1) Initial euphoria. When you rst arrive in the new culture, everything seems
wonderful and exciting, and you are struck by how similar people around the world
can be.
2) Irritation and hostility. Your focus changes from the similarities between
cultures to the differences, and the differences become irritating and frustrating.
Small problems loom as major catastrophes.
3) Gradual adjustment. The crisis of adjustment passes. The new culture seems
more familiar, and you move more condently in it. You make friends. You learn to
interpret some of the subtle cultural clues and cues.
4) Adaptation and biculturalism. You are able to function in two cultures with
condence. You are so well adapted to the new culture that returning to the U.S. will
provoke a “reverse culture shock.”
There are several ways you can minimize the impact of culture shock:
1) Make a point of learning as much as you can about Italy before you go‑‑its
history, art, literature, current politics. Explore periodicals, novels, travel books,
and media that inform you about the differences in daily life you will encounter
overseas. Understanding the culture will facilitate your adjustment to living there.
2) In Bologna, look for the reasons behind the things in Italian culture that are
different. Relax your grip on American culture; ours is not the only way of doing
things.
3) Resist looking down on or making jokes and comments about Italy or Italians.
Avoid others who do so.
4) Identify an Italian who is sympathetic and understanding and speak to that
person about your feelings.
5) Have condence in yourself and in the good will of the Italians. Maintain
condence that your semester or year in Italy will be a positive experience.
Re-Entry: Reverse Culture Shock
Once you have adapted to life in Italy, coming home will require readjustment to U.S.
culture. You will have to integrate what you have learned abroad into your U.S. life. You
will cope with re-entry at various levels:
1. Family: You may be expected to t back into your family but nd it difcult to
communicate effectively because they have not shared your international experiences.
They may have difculty adjusting to your new independence and changed values.
Strategies: Try to share your experience with your family (photos, stories, blogs,
etc.) and let them know how much you appreciate the chance they have given you
to grow in new ways by studying and traveling overseas.
34
2. Friends: You and your friends may no longer be as close. Be sensitive about
discussing your experience with them. You may also miss the new friends you made
in Italy.
Strategies: Ask and listen to what your friends experienced while you were in
Bologna. Ask them to bring you up to date on local events. Try to do new things
together to get the relationship on a new footing. Maintain contact with your Italian
and BCSP friends.
3. School: You are likely to look at your home campus in a new light, and you may miss
being part of a close‑knit group of BCSP students.
Strategies: Talk over your academic experience with your advisor, especially if
you are considering new career goals. Make contacts with international students
on your campus through your school’s ofce of international student services.
Contact the study abroad ofce and volunteer to talk to students who plan to study
abroad. Seek out other students on campus who have studied overseas. Investigate
the possibility of living in an international dormitory or take part in activities for
international students.
4. Country: Aspects of the U.S. may no longer be entirely to your liking and you may
have the sense that you no longer t in. You will probably evaluate ideas and events in
the context of the broader cultural perspective you acquired in Bologna.
Strategies: Recognize that we all tend to look past the shortcomings of our home
culture when we are away, and to criticize it based on changed perceptions when
we return. Seek out others on your campus who are interested in international
and intercultural matters. Keep up your
interest in Italy through newspapers,
literature, music, friends, etc.
5. Self: You have become accustomed to
a level of activity and anticipation that your
home and campus probably cannot match.
It is natural to feel a little restless or a bit
depressed for a while after your return.
Strategies: Recuperate from the physical
journey. Think over the ways you have changed: Which of those do you like? What
did you learn about yourself? How have your family and friends reacted to the new
you? Keep a journal so you can see your thoughts evolve. Talk with other returning
students.
Immediately begin going
out with Italians. Don’t
insulate yourself. Don’t be
too quick to criticize. They
think your behavior is just
as peculiar as you think
theirs is.
STUDENT ADVICE
35
Appendix A
BCSP Safety & Responsibility
Guidelines
No set of guidelines can guarantee the health and safety needs of each individual
involved in a study abroad program, but the following address issues of general concern
and the responsibilities of all parties. It is not possible to account for all the inevitable
variations in actual cases, so those involved must also rely upon their experience and
thoughtful judgment while considering the unique circumstances of each situation.
A. Responsibilities of the BCSP
1. Conduct regular assessments of health and safety conditions for BCSP, including
program-sponsored accommodation, events, excursions and other activities, prior to
program. Monitor possible changes in country conditions. Provide information about
changes and advise participants and their parents/guardians/families as needed.
Develop and maintain emergency preparedness and crisis response plans.
2. Provide guidelines for program directors and staff with respect to managing
emergencies abroad.
3. Provide orientation materials to participants prior to departure for the program
and on-site, which include appropriate information on health, legal, environmental,
political, cultural, and religious conditions in the host country. In addition to dealing
with health and safety issues, the orientation should address potential health and
safety risks, and appropriate emergency response measures. Ask students to share
this information with their parents/guardians/families so they can make informed
decisions concerning preparation, participation, and behavior while on the program.
4. Consider health and safety issues in evaluating the appropriateness of an individual’s
participation in BCSP.
5. In the participant screening process, consider factors such as disciplinary history
that may affect the safety of the individual or the group.
6. Provide students with information on the role of and assistance provided by the on-
site resident director or program coordinator.
7. Discuss with students, following their selection but prior to their participation in
BCSP, individual health and disciplinary history issues that may affect the safety of the
individual or the group.
8. Verify that students have adequate health insurance coverage, or assure that
participants receive information about how to obtain coverage. Adequate health
insurance coverage is necessary to obtain a student visa. Policies should include
emergency evacuation and repatriation. Students will be required by Italian law to
purchase additional hospital insurance within Italy.
9. Direct on-site program staff to provide information for participants and their
parents/guardians/families regarding available medical and support services, and to
help participants obtain the services they may need.
10. Hire vendors and contractors (e.g. travel and tour agents) that have provided
reputable services in the country in which the program takes place. Advise such
vendors and contractors of the program sponsor’s expectations with respect to their
role in the health and safety of participants.
11. Communicate applicable codes of conduct and the consequences of noncompliance
to participants. Take appropriate action when participants are in violation.
12. In cases of serious health problems, injury, or other signicant health and safety
circumstances, maintain good communication among all program sponsors.
13. Provide these guidelines to participants and their parents/guardians/families
regarding when and where the responsibility of BCSP ends, and the aspects of
participants’ overseas experiences that are beyond the control of BCSP. In particular,
BCSP generally:
a) Cannot guarantee or ensure the safety of participants or eliminate all risks from
the study abroad environment.
b) Cannot monitor or control all of the daily personal decisions, choices, and
activities of individual participants.
c) Cannot prevent participants from engaging in illegal, dangerous or unwise
activities.
d) Cannot ensure that U.S. standards of due process apply in overseas legal
proceedings or provide or pay for legal representation for participants.
e) Cannot ensure that home-country cultural values and norms will apply in the
host country.
f) Cannot fully replicate home campus support services at the overseas location.
g) Cannot assume responsibility for the actions of persons not employed or
otherwise engaged by BCSP, for events that are not part of the program, or that are
beyond the control of BCSP and its subcontractors, or for situations that may arise
due to the failure of a participant to disclose pertinent information.
B. Responsibilities of Participants
Students can have a major impact on their own health and safety abroad through the
36
37
decisions they make before and during the program and by their day-to-day choices
and behaviors.
Participants should:
1. Participate fully in all orientations before departure and on-site, and read and
carefully consider all information provided by BCSP that relates to safety and health
conditions in host countries.
2. When applying for or accepting a place in a program, consider carefully their health
and other personal circumstances, and assume responsibility for them after acceptance.
3. Make available to BCSP accurate and complete physical and mental health information
and any other personal data that are necessary in planning for a safe and healthy study
abroad experience.
4. Obtain and maintain supplementary health insurance coverage and liability insurance,
if necessary, and abide by any conditions imposed by the carriers.
5. Inform parents/guardians/families, and any others who may need to know, about
their participation in the study abroad program, provide them with emergency contact
information, and keep them informed on an ongoing basis.
6. Understand and comply with the terms of participation, codes of academic and ethical
conduct, and emergency procedures of the program, and obey host country laws.
7. Once on-site, be aware of local conditions and customs that may present health or
safety risks when making daily choices and decisions. Promptly express any health or
safety concerns to the program staff or other appropriate individuals.
8. Become familiar with the procedures for obtaining health and law enforcement
services in the host country.
9. Avoid substance use of all kinds.
10. Follow the program policies for keeping program staff informed of their whereabouts
and well-being, especially when traveling away from the program site.
11. Behave in a manner that is respectful of the rights and well-being of others and
encourage others to behave in a similar manner.
12. Accept responsibility for their own decisions and actions.
C. Recommendations to Parents/Guardians/Families
Parents, guardians and families can play an important role in the health and safety of
participants by helping them make decisions and by inuencing their behavior overseas.
When appropriate, parents/guardians/families should:
1. Through their student participants, obtain and carefully evaluate health and safety
information related to the program, as provided by BCSP and other sources.
2. Be involved in the decision of the participant to enroll in a particular program.
3. Engage the participant in a thorough discussion of safety and behavior issues,
insurance needs, and emergency procedures related to living abroad.
4. Be responsive to requests from BCSP for information regarding the participant.
5. Keep in touch with the participant.
6. Be aware that some information may most appropriately be provided by the
participant rather than the program.
These guidelines are based on those recommended by the Interorganizational Task
Force on Safety and Responsibility in Study Abroad (May 2002), as approved by
Indiana University’s Overseas Study Advisory Council.
Appendix B
HIV/AIDS & Traveler's Health
Description
AIDS is a serious disease, rst
recognized as a distinct syndrome in 1981. AIDS
represents the late clinical stage of infection with human immunodeciency virus
(HIV), which progressively damages the immune system. Without an effective immune
system, life-threatening infections and other noninfectious conditions related to failing
immunity (such as certain cancers) eventually develop.
Occurrence
AIDS and HIV infection occur worldwide. The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/
AIDS estimates that, as of the end of 2013, nearly 35 million persons were living with
HIV/AIDS worldwide. Although the most globally affected part of the world remains
sub-Saharan Africa, in recent years, the steepest increases in HIV infection have
occurred in Eastern Europe, Central, South and Southeast Asia. Many countries lack
comprehensive surveillance systems, and despite improvements, the true number
of cases is likely greater than ofcially reported, particularly in developing countries.
Because HIV infection and AIDS are distributed globally, the risk for international
travelers is determined less by geographic destination and more by behaviors that put
them at risk for becoming infected, such as sexual and drug-using behaviors.
Risk for Travelers
The risk of HIV infection for international travelers is generally low. Factors to consider
in assessing risk include the extent of direct contact with blood or other potentially
infectious secretions and the extent of sexual contact with potentially infected persons.
38
39
In addition, the blood supply in developing countries might not be adequately screened.
Prevention
Travelers should be advised that HIV infection is preventable. HIV can be transmitted
through sexual intercourse and needle- or syringe-sharing; by medical use of blood,
blood components, or organ or tissue transplantation; through articial insemination;
and perinatally from an infected woman to her infant. HIV is not transmitted through
casual contact; air, food, or water routes; contact with inanimate objects; or by
mosquitoes or other arthropod vectors. The use of any public conveyance (e.g. an
airplane, an automobile, a boat, a bus, or a train) by persons with AIDS or HIV infection
does not pose a risk of infection for the crew members or other travelers.
Travelers should be advised that they are at risk if they:
• Have sexual contact (heterosexual or homosexual) with an infected person.
• Use or allow the use of contaminated, unsterilized syringes or needles for any
injections or other procedures that pierce the skin, including acupuncture, use of
illicit drugs, steroid or vitamin injections, medical or dental procedures, ear or body
piercing, or tattooing.
• Use infected blood, blood components, or clotting factor concentrates. HIV
infection by this route is rare in countries or cities where donated blood and plasma
are screened for antibodies to HIV.
Travelers should be advised to avoid sexual encounters with persons who are infected
with HIV or whose HIV infection status is unknown. Travelers should also be advised
to avoid sexual activity with persons who are at high risk for HIV infection, such as
intravenous drug users, commercial sex workers (both male and female), and other
persons with multiple sexual partners. In countries with high rates of HIV infection,
many persons without these risk factors may be infected and be unaware of their
status.
Condoms, when used consistently and correctly, prevent transmission of HIV. Travelers
who engage in vaginal, anal, or oral-genital sexual contact with a person who is HIV-
infected or whose HIV status is unknown should use a latex condom. Persons who
are sensitive to latex should use condoms made of polyurethane or other synthetic
materials. Some areas may have a limited supply and selection of condoms, or
available condoms may be of inferior quality. Persons traveling to these areas who
engage in sexual contact with persons who are HIV-infected or whose HIV status is
unknown should carry their own supply of condoms. When a male condom cannot
be used properly, a female condom should be considered. When no condom is
available, travelers should abstain from anal, vaginal, and oral-genital sexual contact
with persons who are HIV-infected or whose HIV status is unknown. Barrier methods
other than condoms have not been shown to be effective in the prevention of HIV
transmission. Spermicides alone have also not been shown to be effective, and the
widely used spermicide nonoxynol-9 can increase the risk of HIV transmission.
In many countries, needle-sharing by intravenous drug users is a major means of HIV
transmission and transmission of other infections, such as hepatitis B and hepatitis
40
C. Travelers should be advised not to use drugs intravenously or share needles for
any purpose. Travelers should also be advised to avoid, if at all possible, receiving
medications from multidose vials, which may have become contaminated by used
needles.
I
In many developed countries (e.g. Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, western
European nations, United States), the risk of transfusion-associated HIV infection has
been virtually eliminated through required testing of all donated blood for antibody to
HIV. In the United States, donations of blood and plasma must be screened for HIV-1
and HIV-2 antibodies, the HIV-1 p24 antigen, and traces of HIV genetic material that
may indicate infection. Developing countries may have no formal program for testing
blood or biological products for contamination with HIV. In those countries, travelers
should (when medically prudent) avoid use of unscreened blood-clotting factor
concentrates or concentrates of uncertain purity. If transfusion is necessary, the blood
should be tested, if at all possible, for HIV antibody by appropriately trained laboratory
technicians using a reliable test.
Needles used to draw blood or administer injections should be sterile, single use,
disposable, and prepackaged in a sealed container. Travelers with insulin-dependent
diabetes, hemophilia, or other conditions that necessitate routine or frequent
injections should be advised to carry a supply of syringes, needles, and disinfectant
swabs (e.g. alcohol wipes) sufcient to last their entire stay abroad. Before traveling,
such persons should consider requesting documentation of the medical necessity for
traveling with these items (e.g. a doctor’s letter) in case their need is questioned by
inspection personnel at ports of entry.
This information was obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Travelers Health Yellow Book (https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/yellowbook-home).
National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral
Hepatitis, STD & TB Prevention
1-800-232-4636
Indiana University's
Hea
lth Center
812-855-7688
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