Pre-semester prep: the tasks leading up to class

When I thought about taking classes abroad, I pictured a movie-like experience: the excitement of the first day of school, meeting my roommates and grabbing dinner with new friends, planning weekend getaways to new cities, and exploring every corner of this historic city. What I did not envision was all the legwork I would need to do leading up to this; however, fear not! I am hoping to compile all the necessary things I did leading up to the first day of class, so you have very few surprises!

Florence's Duomo peaking through the streets!

1. First things first: important documents to bring

   1. When planning for a long-trip out of your home country, it is ALWAYS good practice to bring copies of anything you would need to verify your citizenship and anything you could lose/need replaced:

      1. Passport!!!

      2. Birth certificate

      3. Any credit/debit cards

      4. U.S. driver's license

      5. Copies of your prescription meds

   2. Also, anything your study abroad program suggests:

      1. Class schedules

      2. Student check-in papers

      3. Paid invoice for program

      4. School maps/rules/regulations

2. Next, look at the academic calendar:

   1. Each program will have its regular term/ summer term schedules online so you can access the most important dates, such as:

      1. Arrival/check-in to apartment

      2. Orientation

      3. Day classes start

      4. Any breaks throughout the term

      5. Check-out/ finals week

3. My experience with LdM:

   1. Once you arrive in Florence on the check-in day, you will have a window to report to a specific building to pick up keys & complete an orientation video/sign papers. Ours was from 9 am - 12 pm, but could go as late as 6 pm for anyone arriving late.

      1. It is much easier to arrive a day early to settle in, check out the city, and maybe walk past the building where you need to report!

   2. The walk to our apartment was about 13 minutes from the check-in office, and our apartment came with no elevator access (this meant carrying our suitcases up 11 flights of stairs...maybe you don't need that extra pair of shoes).

      1. You will have a set day and time you must meet with the landlord of your apartment, this is MANDATORY!

         1. This is to show you all the specifics of the apartment (i.e., how to turn the stove on), go over any rules, and gain a connection with them incase you have an emergency!

   3. The next day should be orientation: meeting with all the other study abroad students and faculty to discuss scholarly rules, and expectations as well as cool trips/classes the school supplies for students!!

      1. Make sure to fill out any forms they give you in a timely manner, and it couldn't hurt to use the handbook map to find your street/building and investigate further! (i.e., it could be further than your map is telling you and you don't want to be late!)

4. Additional!

   1. Make sure to put an email that you check often, because this will be the main form of communication from the school, advisors, professors, etc.

      1. WhatsApp is another common form of communication; it might be helpful to download it beforehand in case your school is similar!

   2. Double-check the meal plans for your term!!! Don't assume they will provide food, they may offer to buy a meal plan once here, but make sure to budget that in (as it gets pretty pricey eating out every day!)

   3. Most apartments are in very historic and old buildings...this could mean lack of A/C.

5. Overall:

   1. Everything may seem different and sometimes uncomfortable from our normal lives. The BEST thing to do is embrace this unfamiliarity. Acknowledge you are uncomfortable but try to keep a positive attitude about inconveniences, laugh about it rather than get angry. Know that almost everyone feels the same as you do, and there are individuals you can reach out to if you need help!

      
      

LdM emergency phone number: +39 346 015 0060

LdM counseling building address: Via Faenza, 71r, 50123 Firenze FI