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Where is the CAPA Florence Center? The CAPA Florence Center is located in an historic 15th century palazzo. It is situated in the very center of the city, just minutes from the Duomo. The Palazzo, formerly the Palazzo Valori, dates back to the 1400s and was once owned by Filippo Valori, the rector of the University of Pisa, and close friend of Lorenzo de Medici. Between 1865 and 1871 when Florence was the capital of Italy, the head office of the Agriculture and Commerce Ministry were housed here. The Palazzo is located in the Santa Croce area in the center of the traditional artisans‘ quarter. The surrounding streets have a lively and attractive sense of community. It is here that you will find distinctive shops and restoration workshops where specialists continue to repair the many books and works of art damaged in the 1966 floods. CAPA students will have the CAPA center as their advising and support base. Who is the local staff? CAPA’s International Program Services Team staffs the CAPA center in Florence. They are true experts in their field, and you’ll find them to be a great resource on many local topics from the best place for a gelato, to the directions to the closest bus station. Get to know Lorenzo Ciccarelli. How will I get to class? Like many Florentines, you will walk or take a local bus. The International Program Services Team will give you more specific information regarding the closest public transportation route to your classes at the in-country orientation. If your program includes a bus pass, these passes will be distributed upon arrival or at the orientation once in country. If your program does not include a bus pass, you may want to consider purchasing one yourself. This can be done at most bus stations. Where will I live? CAPA students reside in either a homestay with an Italian family, or in typical Florentine apartments scattered throughout the city. Please speak to your study abroad advisor at your institution or your CAPA Program Manager for specific details regarding your program’s housing option. Homestays Apartments You will receive specific details about your housing approximately two weeks prior to departure. Do student accommodations have telephones? While some student residences do have landlines, it is not standard. Internet cafes often have good deals on international calling, and students have also begun using resources such as Skype on the Internet to place international calls for a small fee or no charge at all. If you are living with a host family, it may not be appropriate for you to use their telephone, as even local calls are not free. Please review the household telephone rules with your host family upon your arrival. You will receive information about cell phone rental in your pre-departure pack or you may choose to rent or buy one once you arrive overseas. It is free to receive incoming calls on most mobile phones while in Italy, but be aware of roaming charges as well as the rates on outgoing international calls as these costs can build up quickly! How will I do my laundry? Washing machines and dryers are not standard inclusions in most Florentine apartments. You will find that there are many local Laundromats, and the on-site staff will be more than happy to help you find the facility closest to your apartment. If a homestay includes laundry services, you may find that the home only has a washer and your clothing will be line-dried outside. Plan appropriately for the extra time your laundry may take when packing. Where can I receive mail? We suggest that you have mail and packages sent directly to the CAPA center in Florence, with your name and the school that you attend clearly marked on the outside of the package or letter. You can find this address in your pre-departure packet that you will receive before departing for Florence. Please be advised that when receiving packages from overseas, the sender must elect to assume all associated charges in shipping, including any customs fees. Failure to do so could prevent you from receiving the package. Can I have overnight guests? No guests are allowed in CAPA housing after 11:00pm. If you are living in a homestay, please be advised that most host families prefer that you not have guests at any hour of the day. Please be courteous of this, and arrange for visits with friends in outside locations. Is the electricity the same as in North America? No, the voltage in Italy is 230 (US voltage is 120). It is advisable to bring both plug adapters and voltage converters with you as it is more expensive to purchase them in Italy. What is the weather like? Florence has a variable continental climate and is hot in the summer and cold in winter with both fall and spring quite mild. Summer can see days above 90F and in winter, temperatures can drop below freezing. Spring can be relatively wet. Check out weather.com for the latest updates. What clothes should I bring? A good pair of walking shoes is essential. Remember that you will most likely be doing a lot more walking than at home. A warm waterproof jacket is important outside of summer, but a lighter jacket is useful on some summer evenings. Remember that you may want to buy clothes in Italy, so don't over-pack! How much money should I bring? Spending habits vary greatly from student to student – for example students living in apartments will need to budget appropriately for food and toiletries. It’s always wise to err on the side of caution. CAPA generally recommends that students bring at least $140 per week. The frequency with which you travel, eat in restaurants, and go out in the evenings will determine your weekly expenditures. In the CAPA student handbook, you will find a “Do – It – Yourself” budget for Florence. Fill it in prior to departing the United States and bring it with you. After the first week and a half, check your actual spending against this budget to figure out if your habits will leave you with enough money to get through the program, and adjust accordingly. What form of currency should I bring? Diversify, diversify, diversify. In today’s day and age, you’ll find that an ATM card with a credit option will get you just about anywhere you need to go. Remember, however, that in the event your wallet gets lost or stolen, you are high and dry until you can replace that card. We recommend that you bring a modest amount with you in traveler’s checks (approximately $150). Set them aside as an emergency only fund when you arrive in country. Be aware that you’ll need a photo ID to cash traveler’s checks at most locations, and they aren’t accepted everywhere. If you bring your ATM card overseas, be certain to talk to a representative at your bank to make sure that your card has international capabilities. Also find out about any other steps you might need to take before using your card overseas. If your PIN is longer than 4 digits, ask your bank representative what PIN you’ll use overseas. European ATMs operate off of a 4 – digit PIN system. Almost all ATMs will add a fee for international transactions. You may want to get a credit card with a low credit line before going abroad as well. To keep better track of your spending, we’d recommend you use it in case of an emergency ONLY. As many airports don’t offer the best exchange, you might want to get some euro (50 – 100 euro) from your local bank before leaving the US. This might come in handy in case you need to take a taxi to the CAPA center or your housing. Should I open a bank account? No, most students have no need to open a bank account in Florence. Please note that you do not have to have an account to receive a wire transfer from home at Italian banks. Are there Internet facilities? Should I bring my laptop? There are computer facilities with wireless Internet access at the CAPA center. There are many Internet cafes throughout the city. Either of these options should suffice to keep you in touch with friends and family at home. Wireless Internet access is rarely available within students’ housing. Please be advised that the computers at the CAPA center as well as at many Internet cafes are set up for basic web surfing and may be a bit slower than what you’re used to. Bringing a laptop is a personal decision. CAPA does not require the use of a laptop for anything. If you choose to bring one, you may want to purchase additional insurance in the event that it breaks or is stolen as lost or stolen items are only covered up to a maximum of $250 with the CAPA included insurance. What happens if I get sick? Florence has excellent doctors and medical facilities. You are automatically covered by CAPA's World Student Insurance policy up to $10,000 per medical claim. Be sure to keep your brochure with you for information on the full coverage. Your healthcare coverage will operate differently overseas than in the United States. When visiting the doctor or hospital, you are required to pay up front for services. You will then be reimbursed up to $10,000 for this by the World Student Insurance policy, provided that you hold onto all receipts associated with your medical services and submit your claim within 30 days of returning to the US. For minor symptoms, you’ll find that it may be wiser to solicit healthcare advise from a local pharmacist first. This is commonly done in Florence, and you’ll find it to be a quicker and more efficient way to receive care. Should I bring any medication? If you are taking prescription medication, you should bring enough for your stay in Italy. Remember to keep any medication in its original packaging and bring this in your carry-on luggage. If you are currently in counseling, you may want to set up weekly phone calls with your counselor. CAPA can provide you with a list of local counselors and psychologists, or your own psychologist may have some connections overseas. What will I eat? Whether you cook at home or eat at a restaurant, Tuscany offers endless opportunities to try fresh produce, breads, and pastas. Some of the local specialties are Parmesan cheese, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, Parma ham, prosciutto, and olives. If you are living in an apartment, you will be responsible for your own meals. In addition to the many supermarkets, try shopping around outdoor markets (of which there are many) for local delicacies and the best that Italy has to offer. You’ll feel like a true Florentine. Please be forthcoming about any dietary restrictions you might have on your CAPA application, especially if you are living with a host family. CAPA will always do its best to accommodate these needs, but be advised that you may need to purchase some grocery items yourself if they will not be used by the host family. When can I travel and what are the holidays for my program? Please speak with your study abroad advisor at your institution or your CAPA Program Manager for the specific dates of holidays during your program, such as semester breaks or long weekends. As these vacation dates can be subject to change, we suggest that you not make any lengthy travel arrangements until you arrive in country. Your weekends can also be used to travel. European train and bus systems are extensive. Discount flight carriers have also grown in popularity. Although these flights aren’t always reliable and have rigid luggage weight limitations, they are a very convenient way to travel on the weekends. Check out ryanair.com, easyjet.com, and skyscanner.net to name a few. How will I get to know the locals? The CAPA center is not affiliated with a university in Florence and you will not be taking classes with local students. You will, however, find that CAPA’s My Education program will provide you with many opportunities to immerse yourself in local culture. Additionally, the CAPA International Program Services Team can recommend a number of individual opportunities, such as volunteering, cooking classes, or language exchanges that you may want to get involved in overseas. Ultimately, the study abroad experience is as rich as you want it to be. The more you put into it, the more you will take away. How can I find out more on how to prepare?
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