2012 HandbookPADUA ITALY

3 Getting Ready to GoLanguage PreparationA Sense of PurposeHelpful Websites

4 AcademicsProgramsCoursesUniversità degli studi di PadovaLibrariesAcademic Policies and

Procedures

6 What to BringHandbooksDocumentsTextbooksCalling HomeClothing and ClimatePrescriptions and Drug Store

ItemsAppliancesLaptopsMiscellaneous Items

7 Money MattersProgram FeesCashHousing DepositAirfare for Academic-Year

StudentsBanking

9 ArrivalTravel ArrangementsArrival DayOrientation

9 HousingHousing AssignmentsItalian HouseholdsFamily Housing Guidelines

12 Life in PaduaFood/DiningErasmus Student NetworkTandem LearningShoppingEntertainmentTransportation: Getting Around

PaduaMail, Packages, and FaxesE-mailNewspapers and Other

PublicationsTelevision and RadioPadua-area Hotels and Hostels

16 Names and Numbers

BU in Padua

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Getting Ready to Go

Padua (known to Italians as Padova) claims to be the oldestcity in northern Italy. Ancient Padua, inhabited by Veneti,thrived thanks to its excellent breed of horses and the woolof its sheep. Its men fought for the Romans at Cannae, andthe city (a Roman municipium since 45 BC) became sopowerful that it reportedly was able to raise two hundredthousand fighting men. The historian Livy was born inPadua, and Padua was the first home to one of the mostfamous architects of the Renaissance, Andrea Palladio.Padua is also the setting for most of the action inShakespeare's “The Taming of the Shrew.”

The city is the economic and communications hub of theVeneto region in northern Italy, and is included, with Venice(Italian Venezia), in the Padua-Venice Metropolitan Area,population around 1,600,000. Its agricultural setting is thePianura Padana, edged by the Euganean Hills praised byLucan and Martial, Petrarch and Ugo Foscolo. The city ispicturesque, with a dense network of arcaded streetsopening into large communal piazze, and many bridgescrossing the various branches of the River Bacchiglone,which once surrounded the ancient walls like a moat.

A lively city of 240,000 inhabitants, Padua is home to thesecond oldest European university, founded in 1222, and itnow hosts a student population of 60,000. Elena LucreziaCornaro Piscopia, the first woman to receive a collegedegree, graduated from the Università degli studi di Padovain 1678. Galileo Galilei taught in Padua, and his podium isstill preserved at the Palazzo Bo, the historic universitybuilding in the center of the city. Having been a universitytown for almost eight centuries, Padua bustles with all thediverse cultural and social life that a large population ofstudents and scholars brings.

Located about 20 miles west of Venice, Padua is extraordi-narily rich in art and architecture: it boasts Giotto’s frescoesin the Cappella degli Scrovegni; works of Mantegna,Donatello, and painters of the Venetian school; and it is oneof the largest groups of interconnected medieval and renais-sance public spaces in Italy. Virtually all the great buildingsof Palladio are within forty minutes of the city.

Boston University’s Padua Academic Center is located in thehistoric center of Padua and within walking distance of mostuniversity departments.

LANGUAGE PREPARATIONIt might be a good idea to brush up your Italian beforeleaving for Padua. Students who have not recently taken anItalian class (in Italian) are particularly encouraged to do so.The more you revive your Italian before departure (particu-larly in terms of grammar and vocabulary), the more you aregoing to benefit from your semester (or academic year) inPadua!

A SENSE OF PURPOSEThere is more to preparing for your semester in Padua thandeciding what to pack or brushing up on your Italian. Youwill also need to identify your own goals and objectives:

• Establish some general priorities before you go—academic, personal, and professional—and try to keepthem in mind throughout the semester.

• Think about what you hope to accomplish while you arein Padua and in Italy.

• Think about how you might accomplish those goals.• Remember to keep an open mind. • Learn from all of your experiences.

HELPFUL WEBSITESInfo on Boston University Study Abroad Padua www.bu.edu/abroad/programs/padova-language-and-liberal-arts-programwww.bu.edu/abroad/media/padova-what-students-say

Info on Paduawww.padovanet.ithttp://portale.provincia.padova.it

Università degli studi di Padovawww.unipd.it

Local Newspaperswww.gazzettino.it/home_page.php?sez=NORDEST&ssez=PADOVAwww.mattinopadova.gelocal.it

“… For the great desire I hadTo see fair Padua, Nursery of Arts.

I am arrived…And am to Padua come, as he that leavesA shallow plash—to plunge him in the deep.”

— Shakespeare, The Taming of the ShrewAct I, Scene I

Academics

Boston University hosts a rich language and liberal artsprogram in Padua, which offers a semester or academic yearof intensive language study and coursework.

In the fall and spring semester students will complete foursemester courses. All courses are approved for upperdivision credit. The BU program offers an intensive languageprogram during the first month designed to preparestudents for University-level coursework in Padua. Theremaining three semester courses can be completed at theBU program site. Upon successful completion of theIntensive course and with the approval of the Director,students have the option to combine BU Study AbroadPadua courses with one or two courses at the Universitàdegli studi di Padova. Please note: the Resident Directormonitors each student’s progress and preparation andcounsels accordingly.

All BU Study Abroad Padua courses are taught by Italianfaculty from the Università degli studi di Padova or otherItalian universities, as well as by the Resident Director. Theprogram also includes excursions in and around the Venetoregion, as well as to other major Italian art cities.

The Università degli studi di Padova is organized in schools(called Facoltà) scattered across town. The various Facoltàare separated according to the various disciplines. TheUniversità degli studi di Padova is particularly strong inarchaeology, classical studies, art history, Italian literature,political science, history, sociology, law, medicine, andphilosophy. The Fall semester in Italian universities starts atthe beginning of October and ends in January; the Springsemester starts at the beginning of March and ends in June.

*Note for fall semester students: fall term courses at theuniversity finish at the end of January, but you will mostlikely be able to make arrangements with your professor totake your exams early.

For more information about the Università degli studi diPadova, please visit the website www.unipd.it.

BU PADOVA COURSESIn order to be admitted to the Padua program students arerequired to have completed at least two semesters ofcollege-level Italian or the equivalent. Upon completion ofthe Intensive Language Program in the first (intensive)month, students below LI 306 (sixth semester Italian) enrollin a consecutive (also four-credit) language course.

Italian Courses Offered in Intensive MonthLI 211 Third-Semester ItalianLI 212 Fourth-Semester Italian LI 303 Self-Expression in Italian ILI 306 Advanced Italian Practicum IT 310 Stylistics

After the intensive language month, students have anopportunity to choose from approximately 10 courses at theBU Padua Academic Center. These include courses in Italianlanguage and/or literature and cinema; art history; andhistory. All readings are in Italian. A minimum enrollment offour students is necessary for a course to be offered.

Language and Liberal Arts Elective CoursesLI 212 Fourth-Semester Italian LI 303 Self-Expression in Italian ILI 306 Advanced Italian Practicum IT 310 Stylistics IT 343 Contemporary Italian LiteratureIT 341 History of Italian Art: From Giotto to TiepoloIT 344 Topics in Italian Music History IT 401 History of the Jews in ItalyIT 403 History of Italian Cinema from Neo-Realism

to Present IT 520 Art Seminar on Masterworks of the Italian

Renaissance in Venice (Fall) IT 520 Art Seminar on Masterworks of the Italian

Renaissance in Tuscany (Spring) HI 324 The Venetian RepublicHI 330Modern Italian History

The academic offerings may vary during the year, as newcourses may be approved. Please check the BU padova pagefor updated information: www.bu.edu/abroad/programs/padova-language-and-liberal-arts-program.

UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI PADOVA (UNIPD)COURSESStudents who feel confident in Italian should speak withtheir advisor about the possibility of taking courses at theUniversità degli studi di Padova. Once in Padua, they willreceive assistance to select the most appropriate courses.Please check out the various departments for courseofferings: www.unipd.it/strutture/facolta/facolta.html.

Please note that the UNIPD course listings are not availableuntil shortly before the beginning of the academic year inOctober for the Fall semester, or March for the Springsemester. For this reason, Boston University Study AbroadPadua cannot guarantee the availability of a particularcourse in a given semester. In any given semester, UNIPDoffers more than 200 courses in the humanities and socialsciences.

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Some courses that have been taken by students at UNIPD inthe past are listed below:

Facoltà di LettereMedieval and Renaissance Literature Contemporary Italian Women’s LiteratureContemporary Italian Poetry History of Modern and Contemporary Italian LiteratureEarly Modern European HistoryForeign Languages and Literatures (German, French,

Spanish)History of Italian Cinema History of Photography Film Studies Dialectology

Facoltà di Scienze PoliticheContemporary Italian History European Political Organizations European (EU) Studies History of JournalismHistory of Political ThoughtHistory of Political InstitutionsInternational Relations International Law Political and Economic Geography Political Parties and Pressure Groups Psychology Sociology of the Cultural Process

We recommend that full-year students take a combinationof BU courses and UNIPD courses.

LIBRARIESOwing to the affiliation with the Università degli studi diPadova, BU Study Abroad Padua students enjoy the samerights as local students in terms of borrowing materials anduse of the local resources. You may access most departmentlibraries by simply showing your Università degli studi diPadova ID. In addition to all the various Università degli studidi Padova department libraries, BU Study Abroad Paduaprogram students have access to the BU Padua AcademicCenter library, which specializes in Italian literature, history,and art history. At the BU Padua Academic Center you canfind all the materials needed for each BU course (articles,DVDs, VHSs) and much more.

ACADEMIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURESYou will receive detailed information on academic policies,attendance, and coursework once you are in Padua.Please keep in mind that all academic commitments mustbe completed before you leave Padua.

AttendanceYou are expected to attend each class session, field trip, andany other course-related event unless you have a validreason for being absent. Attendance and class participationwill influence your grade for the course. You will be requiredto account for undue absence either by personal explanationto the course instructor and/or to the Resident Director orby written statement from another authority.

If you have been absent from a course excessively, you maybe required to withdraw from that course without credit. Ifyou expect to be absent from a class, you must notify yourinstructor and the Director in advance, preferably in writing.If you are absent from class for medical reasons, you need tocontact BU Study Abroad Padua and seek medical attention.

Academic Conduct CodeAll students participating in a Boston University StudyAbroad are expected to maintain high standards ofacademic honesty and integrity. It is the responsibility ofevery student to be aware of the College of Arts and ScienesAcademic Conduct Code’s contents and to abide by itsprovisions. This can be found at www.bu.edu/cas/students/undergrad-resources/code.

TardinessStudents must make every effort to be on time for allmeetings and class sessions and, in case of extenuatingcircumstances, must notify the appropriate persons aboutthe tardiness . If you arrive late to class, please minimize theeffects of your arrival. Students are not admitted more thanten minutes past the start of class.

CourseworkYou are expected to turn in all course assignments on time;turning in assignments late will have a negative effect onyour grades. Students caught submitting the same writtenwork for two separate courses will fail one of the courses.All academic commitments must be completed before youleave Padua; no incompletes are permitted. Students whodo not complete a course on time will be given an ‘F’. Inaddition, students are not permitted to audit courses or totake courses on a pass/fail basis.

Registration For Your Semester AbroadYou will register for your program courses prior to yourdeparture for Italy by submitting the course selection form.Changes to your home campus' advisor-approved courseselection can only be made based on academic reasons.Students must register for a total of sixteen credits.

Credit TransferPlease make sure that your credits will transfer to yourhome university before you leave for Padua—this is veryimportant. All courses are upper division.

6 Boston University Study Abroad Padua

It is up to your university to grant transfer credit.Once in Padua, should you need to enroll in different coursesfrom those which were originally approved by youracademic advisor, you should obtain new course approvalfrom your home school. Approving transfer credit isultimately your home institution’s decision.

What to Bring

HANDBOOKBring this handbook along with you, as it contains usefulinformation which you may need during your semesterabroad.

DOCUMENTSPassport and Student VisaYou must have a valid passport and student visa to spendthe semester or academic year in Italy. US citizens shouldrefer to the Visa Guidelines and Sample Visa Applicationthat were sent to you with your acceptance materials for theprogram.

Students not traveling on a US passport should contact thenearest Italian consulate to confirm visa requirements. If youare not an Italian or EU citizen and you arrive without astudent visa, the program reserves the right to send youhome at your own expense.

Passport-Size PhotosYou should already have supplied the Padova Office with thespecified JPEG of a passport-size photo along with youracceptance paperwork.

Additionally, bring with you four original passport-sizephotos for the Permesso di Saggiorno application process.

Student IdentificationYou will receive information on applying for your student IDcard prior to your departure. On orientation day you will begiven this card issued by the Università degli Studi diPadova, which allows you to access department libraries andcafeterias (mense). You can also request other studentdiscount cards once in Padua.

Also bring your student ID card from your home university.It is also a good idea to purchase an International StudentIdentification Card (ISIC). This provides some studentdiscounts and insurance benefits.

Please note: make color photocopies of all personaldocuments, as this makes things much easier if they need tobe replaced. It’s a good idea to bring a money belt to carryyour passport, credit cards, and money.

TEXTBOOKSSome textbooks for the courses could be available at the BUPadua Academic Center library, while others can bepurchased by students in Padua. Further information will begive during academic orientation on site. In addition, plan totake a good size Italian-English dictionary, though diction-aries can also be purchased in Padua.

CALLING HOMEUsing a calling card is a convenient and generally inexpen-sive way to call the US since calls are billed at US, not local,rates. Check with your US long-distance carrier to obtain aninternational calling card for your calls back home to theStates. Most of the long-distance companies offer thesecards and special calling plans for international calls. Be sureto contact your long-distance calling card company beforeleaving home to obtain the necessary access numbers todial from Italy.

Italy offers a direct, toll-free line to a US operator. However,a convenient and perhaps easier method would be to buypre-paid phone cards at the tabacchi stores and use them atthe city pay phones which are located on all blocks of thecity for local and long-distance calls.

Cell Phones Don’t expect to use your homestay family’s phone. Moststudents have found that buying a cell phone in Padua canbe very convenient, especially for staying in touch withfriends and family at home, and friends in Padua.

If you are planning on bringing your own mobile phone makesure that you have checked with your phone company toassure that you can use it in Italy. Experience has shown,however, that it is easier and cheaper to purchase a simplemodel in Padua. The BU Study Abroad Padua staff helps youwith this on the first day of orientation.

CLOTHING AND CLIMATEThe most important thing to remember when packingclothes is that whatever you pack will probably be morethan you will need. Also, keep in mind that you may nothave a lot of closet and drawer space so bring only what isnecessary. You will do best to bring clothes that are easilymixed and matched. Please note that casual wear in the USis more casual than in Italy and Europe.

Padua can be very cold during the autumn and wintermonths, so you should remember to bring plenty of warmclothes. Most Italian homes are not heated as much as

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American homes, so you will probably find yourself wearingsweaters both indoors and outdoors during the coldermonths. Remember also to bring long underwear, and besure to bring rain gear. In Padua it starts getting warmer inApril, but raincoats and umbrellas are still necessary.Between May and September it can be quite hot and veryhumid.

LinensBed linens and towels are provided, but you should bring anextra towel and/or beach towel for weekends away.

PRESCRIPTIONS AND DRUG STORE ITEMSYou should bring copies of prescriptions for any medicationsyou may need and for glasses or contact lenses if you wearthem. Since medications tend to be expensive in Europe andbecause it sometimes can be difficult to get the appropriateequivalent medication, we recommend that you bring anadequate supply of whatever medications you may usewhile abroad. Any medications you do bring should be in theoriginal, properly-labeled bottles. You should also bring anextra pair of glasses (or contact lenses) if you wear them.You also might want to bring your preferred over-the-counter drugs (Tylenol, for example), a supply of deodorant,and contact lens solution.

APPLIANCESYou may want to leave electrical appliances (especially hairdryers) at home. Fairly inexpensive models can bepurchased overseas, and you won’t need to worry aboutadapters or converters. If you are bringing a photo or videocamera you'll probably need a plug adapter for Italian-typeoutlets(not a voltage adapter as most travelling deviceshave this already built in). It's easier if you bring it with you,however, these can be purchased in Italy.

LAPTOPSBU Study Abroad Padua offers internet-connected PCs thatare available for student use. Given the limited space at theprogram site, as well as the availability of wireless internetthroughout the premises, students from recent semesters

have recommended the use of laptops. While bringing alaptop is by no means necessary—some students, in fact,prefer not to worry about having a laptop while in Italy—itmight allow for greater flexibility, if only to avoid theoccasional crowd in the computer room. There arenumerous Aule Studenti and libraries at the Università degliStudi di Padova where students, aside from studying, canalso access the Padua WiFi service once registered.

Students will receive more information on orientation day.There are also some internet cafes, some of which allow youto bring your own laptop, and students have been known tofrequent these places when the BU Padua Academic Centeris closed. Students may opt to purchase a wireless internetkey. Students are provided limited Internet access at home.Make sure that you are entirely familiar with the workingprograms of your computer, as there is limited technicalsupport in Padua.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS• sewing kit—bring a small one; it may prove useful• school supplies—you’ll find the supplies you'll need in

Padua, and it’s much easier to purchase them there thanto bring those materials with you.

• gift for your host family—a calendar or anything thatrepresents the place where you are from. Some familieshave hosted for a number of years so photo books of yourhometown may not always be the best choice.

• camera, film, batteries, or digital camera—be sure tobring a camera, and batteries or extra memory cardssince they tend to be more expensive overseas

• alarm clock—bring a small, non-electric one• sleeping bag (optional)• calculator• budget travel guide—Berkeley guides, Lonely Planet

guides, and Let’s Go Italy are recommended. The BUPadua Academic Center does have a small collection ofguides which past students have left.

Money Matters

PROGRAM FEESFor information about the program fee and personalbudgeting guidelines visit: www.bu.edu/abroad/aid/finances.html.

Room and BoardYou will receive a monthly stipend as a subsidy toward yourdaily expenses like food and bus transportation. Funds forthe twelve meals per month you take with your families willbe automatically deducted from your stipend and paiddirectly to the families.

How much should I take?Depending on your own standard of living andhow much traveling, shopping, and dining outyou do, students’ expenses (exclusive oftuition, room, and board covered by yourprogram fee) will vary. In the past, studentshave spent from $1,500-$2,500 per semester.Keep in mind that your buying power is directlyrelated to the exchange rate.

8 Boston University Study Abroad Padua

Your room and board is covered when the academicprogram is in session.

Student stipends do not cover vacation periods or winter orspring break. For academic-year students who are not takingUniversità degli studi di Padova courses, room and board arealso not covered during the 6-week Intercession betweenfall and spring terms.

Field Trips and Program ActivitiesYou are expected to participate in all orientation activities,excursions and other program activities, the costs of whichare covered by the program and are not refundable. Theschedule for these activities varies and is at the discretion ofthe Director.

CASHCash for ArrivalYou should plan to exchange $50–100 into euros before youleave so that you will have money to use when you firstarrive in Italy; small denominations are best. You may alsowant to carry some US currency.

Cash for DepartureIt is also wise to keep around $50 in cash for your returntrip. Check to see if there is a departure tax payable at theairport before you leave—you might need your last euros oryour credit card for this purpose, or if you are charged forexcess luggage.

AIRFARE FOR ACADEMIC-YEAR STUDENTSOur office will e-mail you the Spring group flight informationwhile you are in Padua. If you opt not to take this flight,please notify our office in writing (e-mail) in order to receivea flight credit on your student account for the Springsemester.

If you take the Fall group flight, and choose to extend thisticket for your return at the end of the spring semester, youare responsible for any flight changes and must contactAdvantage Travel directly to do so.

BANKINGExpect more limited hours at banks in Padua than you maybe accustomed to in the US. Banks in Padua will usuallyexchange currency 8:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. and 2:30–4:30 p.m.,approximately, Monday through Friday. Most ATM systemsare available to withdraw money from US accounts. Checkwith your bank for international ATM and PIN information aswell as any applicable service charges before leaving. Keepin mind that international banking fees vary depending onyour bank at home—check service fees before leaving.

The most convenient way to obtain money is with an ATMcard. You can use a Visa/Mastercard in many stores andrestaurants, and to withdraw money at the many ATMmachines in town. Western Union has opened manybranches throughout Italy, so a wire transfer from the US isalways possible in the event of an emergency. The programdoes not recommend that students open a bank account, asit is an involved process for non-residents, and alsoexpensive due to high bank fees (approx. 100 euros toopen/close an account, and monthly fees for one year).

ATMsInstead of only using travelers checks (as used to be thecustom), many students now rely on a combination of anATM card and credit card. Remember to bring both types ofcards with you, as your ATM card will be useless if itbecomes demagnetized, damaged, or lost.

With your ATM card from home, you will be able towithdraw funds from your US checking account. Althoughthere will probably be a fee for each transaction at anotherbank’s ATM machine, you will be charged the bank’sexchange rate in effect on that day, which is typically betterthan the one used for normal currency exchanges. US banksvary widely in the charges they attach to foreign ATMwithdrawals; shop around well before leaving and considermoving your account based on what you learn.

Note:Money deposited into your US bank account duringthe normal working day is typically updated on the USbank’s computer at midnight that day, which means youcannot withdraw money until the Italian bank’s computershave similarly updated their records at midnight thefollowing night—in other words, there will generally be adelay of 2 business days before you can access those funds.Details for using ATM cards abroad vary from bank to bank.For some banks, you will need to inform them that you planto use your ATM card abroad so that bank officials can allowoverseas card transactions. Be persistent in finding outinformation on service fees and restrictions.

You should always carry your cash and othervaluables (credit cards, passport and visa,airline ticket, etc.) in a money belt that youwear around your waist under your clothes. Ifyou leave for a trip out of town be sure youhave your passport with visa ALWAYS withyou, since police may ask you for it at any timefor any reason.

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Credit CardsCredit cards are a very good emergency money source, asholders of these cards can get cash on the spot from partici-pating banks. Students have found VISA and MasterCard tobe more useful than American Express. There are ATMmachines in Padua, and in cities throughout Europe, wherecredit cards may be used to withdraw money. Check withyour credit card company to make sure that your PIN willwork overseas. Many stores and businesses acceptMasterCard and Visa.

CashNo student should ever keep large amounts of cash inhis/her room or on his/her person.

Arrival

TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTSYou will receive separate information on group flightarrangements. If you are taking the group flight, you mustcontact the travel agency directly to make your reserva-tions; we cannot do this for you.

Students arriving on the group flight will be met at theairport by program staff and transported to the program siteby bus. Students on the group return flight will have theoption to sign up for a hired bus to take them to the airporton departure day.

Independent TravelersTo receive authorization to travel independently, studentstravelling to Italy on their own must notify BU Study Abroadin writing of their travel plans. If tickets have not yet beenpurchased, a credit for the cost of the student’s group airfarewill be placed on the student’s account in Boston.

If you make your own travel arrangements, please make sureto follow the instructions in the welcome e-mail that you willreceive a few weeks prior to your departure. Please sendyour itinerary to the Program Director and Student AffairsCoordinator informing them of your arrival plans. If you haveany specific questions, please do not hesitate to contactthem directly.

Please make sure you are coming into the main Veniceairport (VCE: Venezia Marco Polo-Tessera), and not into thesmaller and much farther Venice Treviso (TSF).

Early and Late ArrivalsShould your flight be delayed, please call either our Paduaoffice or our Boston office, depending on the time of day. Ifyou arrive in Padua earlier than the official arrival date

and/or stay later than the official departure date, you willneed to make your own housing arrangements. Up-to-datehotel information can be found at www.turismopadova.it.Visit this site for all contact info for hotels listed on page 15.

ARRIVAL DAYThe resident staff meets the group flight at the airport, thenstudents are taken directly to meet up with their hostfamilies. Independent travellers must check with BU StudyAbroad Padua staff about the time and place of the meetingpoint.

ORIENTATIONOrientation is held over the first four days of the program tohelp you with your transition to life in Padua. Activitiesinclude information sessions and tours designed tointroduce you to your new surroundings as well as theacademic expectations of the program. During orientationyou will have lunch with the staff and dinner at home.

You will be given the Padua Student Handbook and SurvivalGuide, a very useful and complete guide to the city and thePadua activities rich in updated information on what is goingon, as well as a full program calendar. No travel plans shouldbe made before getting to Padua and consulting the finalacademic calendar (including class schedules, exams, classtrips, group dinners, and other mandatory program appoint-ments). The Padua staff is available to help you in the transi-tion as well as to make sure you have the most positiveexperience possible while abroad.

Housing

HOUSING ASSIGNMENTSPlacement in your homestay family is based on the informa-tion you provided on the Housing Questionnaire. Every effortis made to place you in an environment commensurate withyour interests and preferences. However, given the largestudent population, housing can be tight in Padua, and someflexibility is required of all students. You will learn of yourhome assignment at least a week prior to your arrival inPadua.

ITALIAN HOUSEHOLDSLiving in an Italian household is one of the best ways to fullyimmerse yourself into the local culture. Each family, whetherlarge or small, young couples with children, single mothers,retired couples or widows, will provide you with an excellentopportunity to explore Italy and the Italian lifestyle in depth.The families which host Boston University students vary in

10 Boston University Study Abroad Padua

size, age, and lifestyle. Housing is located throughout Padua,and most students travel to the BU Padua Academic Centerby foot or public transportation.

In your host family’s home, you will be given your own roomand may share the bathroom with the family. In addition,you will have three dinners per week at home, as well as adaily Italian-style breakfast (usually consisting of coffee,milk, and/or cereal, toast, fruit, breakfast cookies). Underspecial circumstances families allow students to use thekitchen to prepare meals for themselves. You will receive astipend of 12 euros per day for meals not taken with thefamily and other daily expenses such as local transportation.Please remember that every culture, and every household,has unwritten rules which you will have to discover foryourself (and this will put your Italian to use!) Attention tothese rules, written and unwritten, will make your housingsituation easier, and your transition to life in Padua morepleasant. Below you will find the basic family housingguidelines; please read them carefully. They will bediscussed more in-depth during on-site orientation.

FAMILY HOUSING GUIDELINESPayment of room and boardOnce you have paid your Boston University program fee, youwill have to make no additional payments to the family. TheBoston University office in Padua will make bi-monthlypayments to the families to cover breakfast every day andthree evening meals per week.

Shower or bathYou may take a brief shower or bath once per day.

LinensYour homestay family will provide linens.

TelephoneOnly in an emergency can you use the host family phone forlocal calls. No long distance calls will be allowed without acalling card. Always ask before using the phone. You mayreceive calls when it is convenient for your host family.Please see the “Cell Phones” section on page 6 for moreinformation on telephone use.

Internet Phone OptionMany program participants use Skype to call home throughtheir computer. It is free to download and free to talkbetween computers. If you use this program and your hostfamily only has Internet access with an Internet key, thisservice may not be available. For more information go towww.skype.com.

LaundryYou are entitled to have 2 loads of laundry done once aweek. Some families will add your clothes to their loads,others will show you how to do your own.

KeysThe family will provide you with your own set of keys. Onceyou finish the program, you must return the keys. If you losethe keys, you are responsible for replacing them. Be verycareful to close bedroom windows and lock doors properlyeach time you leave, as theft is not uncommon in Padua.

Going Out and Coming HomeYou are free to come and go as you may be used to on yourhome campus, but we ask you to be respectful of your hostfamily. It is very important to let the family and programstaff know if you are leaving for the weekend or overnight.

VisitorsYou are allowed to have visitors during the day only if youhave the permission of your hosts. Be aware that the familyhas the right to say no. This subject should be discussedwhen you first move in. Please note that in any case, youcannot have guests overnight.

Property DamageYou are directly responsible for the repair or replacement ofany household item you damage or destroy. BostonUniversity declines all responsibility. Failure to settle thesecharges with your host family prior to departure from theprogram site will result in appropriate charges beingassessed to your Boston University student account. It mayalso result in inability to register for courses; inability to havegrades assigned; transcript holds; and delays in processingfinancial aid awards for future semesters.

Parties/Social GatheringsStudents are not allowed to hold parties in their living space.To do so may be cause for disciplinary sanctions up to andincluding expulsion from the program without a refund.

Storing LuggageStorage is available at most train stations at your own risk.Generally, students cannot store luggage at the BU Padua

Living with an Italian FamilyAlthough you will be a paying guest, it is bestnot to think of your Italian home as a hotel.Rather, think of yourself as a guest and aboarder. Keep your room neat, make your bed,clean up the bathroom after using it. Thesemay seem like obvious points, but they domean a great deal to the people with whomyou will be living. It’s a good idea to present amodest gift to your host family when youarrive. It helps to break the ice and shows youare interested in getting to know them.

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Directions to the BU Padua Academic Center

You can arrive by train from anywhere in Italy. Alltrains, including the high-speed and internationaltrains, stop in Padua.

From the Venice AirportThere is an airport shuttle service called AirService. This is a door to door service. You mustreserve at least 24 hours in advance, but it is wiseto reserve a week or so before your trip, calling toconfirm a day ahead. The phone number is01139-049-8704425, during regular businesshours. You can also reserve this service by fax(049 8705050), by e-mail at airservice@taxipadova.it, or through their website:www.airservicepadova.it.

They will ask you for the following information:Name, date, time and number of your flight,address, and phone. The cost is 30.00 euros(about $40.00).

From VeniceTrains run throughout the day until 11:00pm. Ittakes about half an hour to get to Padua and thecost is about 3.10 euros (about $ 4.40)

From Florence/Rome (Both cities are on the same line)Look for destination Venice (but get off in Padua).There are several trains leaving for Padua everyday. From Rome it takes about five hours and thecost is approximately 40.00 euros ($36). FromFlorence it takes two and a half to three hoursand the cost is around 20.00 euros ($28). Sometrains go directly to Padua, on others you mighthave to switch trains in Bologna.

From MilanLook for destination Venice (but get off in Padua).A train from Milan takes about two hours and isapproximately 20.00 euros ($28). If you areflying to Malpensa airport you may have to take abus that will leave you at Milan’s train station.The cost of the bus is about 8.00 euros ($11.30).Malpensa airport is about 1 hour away fromMilan.

Once at the Train Station in PaduaIf you have luggage, it’s easiest to take a taxi fromright outside the train station. Ask the taxi to takeyou as close as possible to the BU program site,whose address is: Galleria Santa Lucia, 1. The costwill be about 8 euros. Ring the bell and take theelevator up to the third floor.

A word on local taxis: all taxis in Padua are withone company (Radio Taxi). The taxis are whitecars with a red stripe. They are licensed andmetered. There is a slight surcharge for luggageand for evening service. Tips are not expected,but a euro may be added for superior service.

For More InformationFollow the instructions in the welcome e-mailthat you will receive a few weeks prior to yourdeparture. If you have any specific questions,please do not hesitate to contact the Padua staffdirectly at any time.

12 Boston University Study Abroad Padua

Academic Center before the program begins or after theprogram ends. However, in unusual circumstances, permis-sion may be given by the Resident Director on a case-by-case basis.

Life in Padua

You will receive updated info in the welcome e-mail a fewweeks prior to your arrival in Padua. If you have any specificquestions, please do not hesitate to contact the Padua staffdirectly.

FOOD/DININGAfter family life, food and dining are among the most valuedthings in Italy. Food and cooking styles in Italy vary widelyfrom region to region.

MenseThere are mense (cafeterias) throughout the city. Theprogram will provide you with a mense ID card whichentitles you to a student discount. Some mense are morepopular than others, so be prepared to find long lines at thepopular ones. The food is very healthy and tasty. You canusually get two plates of food [il primo (pasta) e il secondo(meat) piatto] and beer, wine, and other beverages for only4,00 euros. Most students opt to spend less and haveinstead a plate of pasta and a salad or fruit or yogurt. Youshould be aware that mozzarella is often a substitute formeat or fish.

RestaurantsThere are various kinds of “eating places” in Italy. Mostauthentic Italian restaurants are expensive, but theydefinitely are something you should experience at least oncewith a group of friends or family. The “full Italian meal”consists of five to six courses, from appetizers, to il primopiatto, to il secondo piatto with contorni, to salad, to fruit, todessert, to coffee. A full lunch or dinner takes two to threehours. In many restaurants, trattorie, and pizzerie, you mayorder a pizza and mineral water and get away with it (acommon food order for a group of students). Paninoteche

and caffé have various kinds of ingredients to choose fromfor having a quick panino. Most Italians drink their coffee inhalf-a-minute, while standing, so some caffè will not allowyou to sit and drink your coffee without paying extra. Barsusually also have snacks and panini.

TippingBars and restaurants include a service charge on the bill ifyou sit down and are served. Porters at train stations get aspecified amount; rates are posted at each station.Hairdressers and barbers also expect a small tip.

ERASMUS STUDENT NETWORKThe Erasmus Student Network (ESN, www.esn.it) is astudent-run group that organizes activities for internationalstudents in Padua. These activities range from photographycourses to weekly dance parties to salsa lessons to Venetianpub crawls. To take part in most of ESN’s activities, it isnecessary to sign up for a nominal fee, and this membershiplasts an entire year. Though the majority of the group’smembership is European, Americans are welcome to partici-pate.

Dietary RestrictionsLifestyles that impose dietary restrictions orspecial needs can mean different things todifferent people. If you are a vegetarian doesthat mean that you do not eat any red meat,chicken, or fish? Do you eat dairy products andeggs? If you are Jewish, do you eat pork and/orshellfish? If you keep kosher, does this implyrestrictions on food preparation? Since you willbe eating most of your principle meals in yourhousehold, you will want to be as specific aspossible in defining your dietary restrictionsand needs on your housing questionnaire. Youshould also learn to express your needs inItalian before you arrive in Padua and beprepared to explain them to your host. TheHousing Coordinator does her best to placestudents with special dietary restrictions orneeds in homes that can accommodate thoseneeds or with hosts who can be flexible with astudent preparing his or her own meals. Do bepatient as your particular dietary needs orrestrictions may be completely new to yourhost family.

“The Erasmus Student Network has given me theopportunity to encounter an interesting and diversegroup of people from all over Europe. This has been a defining positive attribute of my Paduaexperience.”

— Doug Anderson, Former Program Participant

www.bu.edu/abroad 13

TANDEM LEARNINGThe BU site staff organizes a Tandem Learning exchangewith the Centro Linguistico di Ateneo (CLA) of theUniversità degli studi di Padova (http://claweb.cla.unipd.it/cetest-firstpage/). This is a fantastic opportunity for allstudents to improve their Italian through Tandem Learning, aface-to-face conversational exchange with a local Italianstudent from the Università degli studi di Padova. It’s a greatway to improve your Italian language skills, meet newfriends, and it’s fun! For further information about TandemLearning: http://claweb.unipd.it /home/cwigham /tandem.It is especially encouraged that you sign up for the “E-Tandem” program that begins even before you depart forPadua.

SHOPPINGMarkets There are a variety of markets in Padua. The open marketsare the most common place for the Paduani to shop. Thereis a big fruit and vegetable market every morning and all daySaturday at Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza della Frutta. This isa great opportunity to grab some fresh produce, but don’t besurprised to get pushed around and “yelled at” if you are notquick and aggressive. During the weekend there is a big,open market in Prato della Valle where you can find shoes,clothes, plants, and other goods. During the week,weekends, and through the holiday season, there are smallermarkets in Piazza dei Signori, and Capitanato, where you canfind almost anything from clothes to kitchenware to littlegifts. For groceries, PAM is very conveniently located in thecenter of town. Bigger supermarkets include Eurospar andCentro Giotto, Centro Commerciale Le Brentelle, Ipercity (towhich you may want to take a bus). Paduani support localvendors. They often shop at the “meat and cheese” marketwhich is between Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza della Frutta,"Sottosalone" in the town’s center. The markets are not onlyplaces to shop, but also a way to come together as acommunity and socialize between weekly errands and work.

ShopsThere are various types of shops in Padua. The first andmost common places where Italians shop are the little shopsowned privately by locals. They have a variety of goods andgenerally are priced fairly reasonably, but some can also bevery expensive. There are also malls, like Centro Giotto, ahuge mall with over fifty shops and an Auchan to top it off(see other malls above). The tabacchi shops are convenientshops on every block where you can buy phone cards,stamps, and other things you need for everyday life. Thereare also numerous newsstands on corners with daily papersand magazines. Remember that shops and markets inPadua, and Italy in general, have different hours than thosein the US. For example, expect to find them closed duringsiesta times (12:30–3:30 p.m.) and on Sundays.

Hairdressers/Barbers (Parrucchieri/Barbieri)There are many hair-shops in Padua. However, if you are ona tight budget, you should ask what it costs before you sit inthe chair. You will be charged for each service: shampoo,rinse, cut, blow dry, etc. The average price for a shampoo,rinse, cut and dry with a student discount is 27 euros (14euros for a cut only).

ENTERTAINMENTPadua offers a great variety of activities and facilities for youto enjoy, including art galleries, museums, cinemas, theater,and sports events. Many of these events are sponsored bylocal music and cultural societies. You can always pick up acopy of the newspaper il Mattino for concert and filmlistings.

Social life/night life is quite lively in Padua. Depending onyour interests, there are a variety of social events going on inthe evening and night time and many choices for entertain-ment including cinema, theater, wine bars, and discos.

Sports ClubsArrangements can be made to join local gyms and varioussports clubs. In the past, students have joined numeroussports clubs to take part in rowing, hiking, soccer, rugby,sailing, and swimming. The Università degli studi di PadovaCUS also offers some sports facilities. View this link formore information: www.cuspadova.com. Plan to check outother cultural societies for additional clubs and events.

TRANSPORTATION: GETTING AROUND PADUALocal Transportation and TravelWhile abroad, you should remember that public transporta-tion is the way the great majority of local residents getaround their town and country, and so it should be a part ofyour experience as well. For that reason, and for reasons ofeconomy and safety, we strongly discourage students fromriding bicycles and renting automobiles or other motorizedvehicles while abroad.

“Making friends with Italians was very easy. Theywere always eager to get to know Americans. At themensa, at BU get-togethers, on trains, people werealways willing to exchange opinions and stories.Sometimes all it took was eye contact or a smile toinitiate conversation.”

14 Boston University Study Abroad Padua

The city of Padua is well-connected to major cities in theregion. Trains and buses to and from Venice run continu-ously, eighteen hours a day. Trains to Milan, Florence, andRome are available throughout the day.

The households where Boston University students live are inPadua. Both the Università degli studi di Padova and the BUPadua Academic Center are in the heart of the center ofPadua. You should expect to use public transportation,which is quite good during the day and early evening. Somebus lines run with less frequency on the weekends andholidays. Tickets should be purchased from the tabacchistores and cost €1,20. Sometimes tickets may be purchasedon the bus but they cost more. At the beginning of eachsemester, you can also apply for and buy a monthly studentbus pass. Each bus has a box where you insert your ticket tobe punched with the date and the time; you should do thisimmediately when you get on the bus because a movinginspector may appear at any time and ask to see it.Information on obtaining a bus pass is given out duringorientation.

MAIL, PACKAGES AND FAXESPlease note that you should receive all mail and packages atthe BU Padua Academic Center address where you will havea mailbox. Please note that BU Study Abroad Padua will nottake responsibility for mail which arrives before the start ofthe program or after the program ends. Mail cannot beforwarded after the end of the program. If you apply toreceive an absentee ballot please remember to change thisonce you return to the US.

Receiving Packages from HomePlease ask the sender to use a padded envelope whenmailing more than a card or letter as the BU PaduaAcademic Center has had problems with mail being openedand items being missing. Please remind your family NOT TOSEND CASH!

All packages, regardless of method sent, should be markedas containing USED ITEMS FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY, andinsured at a minimal rate if insured at all. Otherwise theywill get snarled in European customs and incur lofty feesthat you will have to pay before the package will be releasedto you. For the same reason, it is important to find out aboutimport and export restrictions. Many toiletries, medicines

and food from the US cannot be brought or imported intoEuropean Union territory. In any case some packages willrequire a local delivery fee of approximately 2 euros.

To ensure fast delivery to Italy use a reputable courierservice. One of the most reliable service to Padua is FederalExpress.

FaxesFaxes may be sent to the BU program site. The number(from the US) is 011-39-049-654-555.

E-MAILE-mail is available at the BU program site. There are someInternet Cafés around town for an inexpensive hourly fee.

NEWSPAPERS AND OTHER PUBLICATIONSPadua has two daily newspapers, Il Mattino and Il Gazzetino.Il Mattino has a daily listing of all Padua events: cinema,theater, music, and even television films. Reading thenewspaper is very common in the Italian life-style.

TELEVISION AND RADIOThere are eight local television stations in Padua, which offernews, current affairs, sports, etc., plus the usual assortmentof sitcoms, soap operas, and dramas. There are also manymore national stations since Italy’s television industry wasprivatized ten years ago, so the number of stations hasincreased from three to over 100 nationally. Manyhouseholds have satellite and cable stations.

There are also a number of radio stations offering everythingfrom classical to contemporary pop/rock, American music,as well as Italian.

PADUA-AREA HOTELS AND HOSTELSNo overnight guests are allowed in program housing. Iffriends or family members plan to visit you, please consultthe following list and/or links below. Please note that anyfriends or family who wish to visit should do so at the end ofthe program. Accommodations in Padua range from four-star hotels to small pensions.

“My experience in Italy forced me to learn a lot aboutthe culture, such as simple things—banking,shopping, having fun—and more delicate matters—politics, art, history, economics, the universitysystem, unemployment, etc…”

Address Mail To:Your namec/o Boston University Study Abroad Padua Galleria Santa Lucia, 135139 Padua, Italy

www.bu.edu/abroad 15

Up-to-date hotel information can be found at:www.turistopadova.it or www.padovando.com.

Some area accommodations include (information subject tochange):

[$$$ – expensive; $$ – moderate; $ – budget]$ Buenos Aires - Via L. Belludi, 37.

Phone: 39-049-665633;Fax: 39-049-858685.

$ Igea - Via Ospedale, 87. Phone: 39-049-8750577; Fax: 39-049-660865.

$ Mignon - Via Luca Belludi, 22. Phone/Fax: 39-049-661722.

$ S. Antonio - Via S. Fermo, 118. Phone: 39-049-8751393

$ Verdi - Via D. del’Orologio, 7. Phone: 39-049-8755744.

$$ Plaza Hotel - Corso Milano, 40. Located in the center of Padua. Phone: 39-049-656822; Fax: 39-049-661117.

$$$ Grand’Italia - Corso del Popolo, 81. Located near the train station. Phone: 39-049-8761111; Fax: 39-049-875-0850.

$$$ Majestic Toscanelli - Via del’Arco, 2. Located in the historical center. Phone: 39-049-663244; Fax: 39-049-876-0025.

$$$ Methis Hotel - Rivera Paleocapa, 70Phone: 39-049-8725555; Fax: 39-049-8725135.

Getting to Know PaduaPadua is both an ancient and modern city.You’ll be surrounded by the beauty of the past,but you’ll also encounter the advantages anddisadvantages found in all contemporary cities.Getting to know Padua means getting to knowits people and how they live. Some suggestionsfrom past participants:

• “When you arrive in Padua, forget all thestereotypes you have of Italy. Welcome Italyand its culture with a fresh, brand new stateof mind.”

• “Be ready to throw yourself into a newexperience. Be prepared to learn a lot.”

• “Be curious. This is not your culture—take anopen approach, and you will gain the most.”

Emergency Telephone NumbersStudents experiencing any kind of emergencywhile overseas should contact the Director, Dr.Elisabetta Convento.

During weekday office hours:011-39-049-650-303 (Program Office)

Weekend and Evening Emergencies:011-39-348-835-3243 (Elisabetta Conventomobile)011-39-345-566-8950 (Bonnie Lee Ponthier)

If parents need to contact their children in anemergency, they should call the homestay. Ifthey can’t be reached there, the parent shouldcontact the program staff directly.

There is a six hour time difference betweenPadua and Eastern daylight time, i.e. when it is8 a.m. in Boston, it is 2 p.m. in Padua.

Names and Numbers

BOSTON UNIVERSITY STUDY ABROAD PADUA Galleria Santa Lucia, 135139 PaduaITALY

Phone: 011-39-049-650-303Fax: 011-39-049-654-555

Dr. Elisabetta Convento, DirectorE-mail: convento@bu.edu

Bonnie Lee Ponthier, Student Affairs CoordinatorE-mail: ponthier@bu.edu

Mara Levorato, Financial and Office OperationsE-mail: levorato@bu.edu

888 Commonwealth AvenueBoston, Massachusetts 02215

Phone: 617-353-9888Fax: 617-353-5402E-mail: abroad@bu.edu

www.bu.edu/abroad

All of the foregoing information is subject to change without notice.

Tell us about your experience in Padua!

Share your favorite photo, a link to your blog, or post your

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have to ‘like’ our page in order to post to it). And be sure to

tag “BU Study Abroad” in all your great photos.

Let the rest of the BU community hear about your time

abroad and upload your videos on BUniverse. Tag them as

“study abroad.”

Want to see your photo in our next study abroad catalog,

on the website, or on a poster? Email, snail mail, or drop

off a high-resolution copy (on a CD or flash drive) at the

BU Study Abroad office, f

or the marketing

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And don’t forget to follow us on Twitter to learn about BU

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Good luck next semester!

—BU Study Abroad