PRE-DEPARTURE ORIENTATION Spring 2017

SU Florence:

Center & Staff

Sasha Perugini PhD – Center Director

Jim Kauffman – Assistant Director for Student Life,

Housing Coordinator

Amy Kleine – Assistant Director for Health & Wellness

Group Flights:

• Arrive at least four hours before the flight departs.

• Florence staff will meet you at the airport where buses will take you to the orientation hotel.

• Your checked baggage for the semester will be taken and stored at the SU Florence center

Independent Travelers:

• Coordinate your own ground transportation upon arrival

• Detailed information on when to arrive and where to meet the rest of the group will be provided.

Packing:

• Check with your domestic & international airline for specific baggage restrictions & fees

• Pack one carry-on for one night in the orientation hotel (including valuables)

• Pack one larger suitcase for the semester (your checked luggage)

• DO NOT pack items not easily replaced (birth certificate, social security card, etc.)

Flights & Arrival

OrientationMandatory Orientation begins on Tuesday, January 10th

• You will spend the first night in Florence at a local hotel

• At the hotel you will receive an extensive overview of housing, safety, registration and

meet key staff

• You will move to your housing the second day of orientation. Your host family will come to

the Center to pick you up.

• An overview of orientation will be emailed to you shortly before departure. Full

orientation information will be provided upon arrival

Academics AbroadCourse Registration

• Academic packet with schedule will be available

soon. Students must complete Student Advising

Form by due date in packet

•Registration will be completed at the onsite

orientation

•Hold off on making personal travel plans until

your registration is finalized abroad

Academic Accommodations:

• Complete the Request for Accommodations

online questionnaire

• Contact your ODS counselor ASAP

Expectations Abroad

•Students are bound by Syracuse University’s

Academic Integrity Policy

Internships

• Fill out an internship application online

• Placements will be finalized once in Florence

Homestays

• Housing is not available during

fall/spring break.

• Keep an open mind.

• Communicate with your host family

• Practice Italian as much as possible

Apartments/Hotel

• Be aware of noise ordinances

• Keep your apartment and personal

belongings secure.

• Be mindful of space limitations.

Personal Travel:

• Let your host family know about your

travel plans

• Complete the SU Florence travel form

On-campus housing must be canceled

by December 2nd

Housing

Cell Phones:

• Bring your US phone for use pre- and post-

semester travel

• Students are advised to purchase a

pre-paid Italian cell phone during

orientation

• Many apps provide free texting, calling, &

video chatting with WiFi (Whatsapp, Viber,

Skype, etc.)

Using Your Devices Abroad:

• Single voltage appliances will need a

converter

• You will need a plug adapter for all

appliances

• Pack laptop in your carry-on only

Technology

MoneyContact your bank:

• Let them know how long you will be living

abroad

• Notify them of your travel plans (while

abroad)

• Ask about affiliate banks abroad

• Ask about international fees

• Do NOT bring large amounts of US Dollars

• Create a budget for shopping, traveling, &

spending abroad

• Optional: bring a small amount of local

currency

• Review the financial information section of

the online Preparing to Go guide

Health PreparationsBefore Departure:

• Discuss continued medical/immunization/mental health treatment with your doctor.

• Dental Exam

• Compile all medical/health information and bring it with you in case of a medical emergency

Traveling with medication:

• If you are currently taking medication, continue to take it overseas

• You CANNOT mail medication – bring enough for your entire time abroad

• Pack all your prescription medication in your carry-on only

• Medication must be in original containers with a copy of your prescription

• Notify SUA’s Assistant Director of Student Services of special storage requirements for medication

Questions: Contact Assistant Director of Student Services, Bridget Hughes Demorest brhughes@syr.edu

• You are responsible for ensuring you are adequately covered abroad

• Review your current insurance policy for possible coverage

• You are expected to pay up front for the cost of a doctor’s visit

ISIC Premium Plan – (included in your program fee)

• Excess insurance protection as secondary form of coverage

• Claims are first submitted to your primary insurance

• Any uncovered claims can then be submitted secondarily to ISIC for review

• Limited property & travel insurance

• For more information on insurance, visit SU Abroad website

• For more details of what ISIC Premium Plan covers, call (855) 743-6739(U.S. & Canada)

(305) 455-1571 (outside U.S.)

Insurance Abroad

International Student ID Card (ISIC)

International SOS Card

• Included in your program fee

• Limited supplemental health, travel, and property insurance

• Over 41,000 discounts worldwide on travel, hotels, entrance

fees, restaurants, and more

• Contact the medical teams at ISOS for country-specific

information

• Referral to English-speaking doctors available 24/7

• Emergency Evacuation

• Download the free ISOS Assistance app

• NOTE: The International SOS card does not provide

medical insurance

• SU Membership Number: 11BCPA000177

• SU Counseling Center

• Office of Disability Services

• SU Housing Offices (main campus or

south campus)

• Career Services

Behavioral Standards:

• SU Code of Student Conduct

• SU Sexual & Relationship Violence Policy

• SU Abroad Behavioral Standards

SU Community Abroad

Bridget Hughes Demorest

SU Abroad’s Assistant Director of Student

Services

Keep your phone on & charged at all times, always travel with your phone & charger.

Contacts before departure:

• Group flight questions/concerns: Advantage Travel (315) 471-2222

• Emergencies: SU Abroad 1-(800)-235-3472

While abroad:

• Students: call the SU Florence emergency number provided at orientation

• Parents: contact SU Abroad 24/7 on-call staff 1-(800)-235-3472

• Email: important health and safety information from Florence staff will be sent to

your SUMail account, check it regularly

In Case of Emergency

Preparing to GoIt is highly encouraged that you read and

review the online Preparing to Go guide.

To Do:

• Complete all post-acceptance forms

• Make health care arrangements

(medication, insurance, etc.)

• Contact your bank about your travel plans

• Research baggage restrictions & luggage

fees for your airline(s)

• Research local weather

• Unlock your US phone (optional)

• Learn how to make an international phone

call (including country codes)

• Review SU Abroad Safety Guidelines

• Visit the SU Florence website:

suflorence.syr.edu

Contact InformationSU Abroad

106 Walnut Place

Syracuse, NY 13244

(315) 443-3471

(800) 235-3472

suabroad@syr.edu

We wish you every success abroad!

Gael NoyesSU Abroad

106 Walnut Place

Syracuse, NY 13244

(315) 443-0252

gknoyes@syr.edu