2012 HandbookVENICE ITALY

1 Getting Ready to GoLanguage PreparationA Sense of PurposeHelpful WebsitesRecommendations

2 AcademicsThe Academic ProgramClassroom FacilitiesLibrariesAcademic Policies and Procedures

3 What to BringVenice HandbookDocumentsCell PhoneTextbooksClothingLinensPrescription and Drug Store ItemsAppliancesComputersMiscellaneous Items

5 Money MattersProgram FeesHousingBankingCosts Upon ArrivalCosts for Departure

6 ArrivalTravel ArrangementsOrientation

8 HousingHousing AssignmentsHousing Policies and RegulationsPhones and InternetStoring Luggage

9 Life in VeniceFood/DiningMarkets and ShopsMailNewspapers and Other PublicationsPharmacies, Doctors, and HospitalsTransportation: Getting Around

VeniceVenice–area AccommodationsOutside of Venice

11 Names and Numbers

BU in Venice

www.bu.edu/abroad 1

Getting Ready to Go

Walk out the door of your apartment and you are immedi-ately struck by the architectural beauty of the city of Venice.Built on 117 islands with 150 canals and 400 bridges, thissmall city serves as home to countless Byzantine,Renaissance, and Baroque artistic and historic treasures.

The Piazza San Marco is an internationally recognizedsymbol of Venice, which Napoleon once called the “finestdrawing room in Europe.” Where better to study such greatVenetian artists as Titian and Tintoretto than in the citywhich inspired them. For us, Venice’s charm lies in its car-free streets, numerous piazze, canals like the famous GrandCanal, and water taxis or gondolas transporting Venetians,tourists, and students through the city. Museums, churches,libraries, bridges (ponti) and palazzi all make this city a feastfor the artist’s senses and soul.

Stendhal Syndrome is a feeling of being overwhelmed byseeing too much great art, experiencing too much historyand therefore feeling enlightened and humbled at the sametime. It will probably happen to you—enjoy it while you can!

LANGUAGE PREPARATIONThough you will enroll in an Italian language course inVenice, you should hone your language skills before youdepart the US so that everyday life is easier for you. Listen toItalian conversation tapes and review grammaticalstructures. You might even try watching Italian movies andItalian news online.

A SENSE OF PURPOSEThere’s more to preparing for your semester in Venice thandeciding what to pack or brushing up on your Italian. You’llalso need to identify your own goals and objectives:

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

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

HELPFUL WEBSITES• Scuola Internazionale di Graficawww.artsinvenice.itwww.scuolagrafica.it

• Virtual Map of Venicewww.maps.veniceconnected.it/en

• Tourist Board of Venicewww.turismovenezia.it/eng

• State Department Information for Students Abroadwww.studentsabroad.state.gov

• Romance Studies Departmentwww.bu.edu/rs

• Querini-Stampaglia Library and Museumwww.querinistampalia.it

• ISIC Cardswww.isiccard.com, www.myisic.com

• Testolini Art Supplieswww.testolini.it

• Angeloni Art Supplieswww.angelonifinearts.it

• Group Flight Infohttp://advantagecny.com

• ACTV Bus Servicewww.actv.it/en

• News Sourceshttp://nuovavenezia.gelocal.itwww.gazzettino.it

BOOK & FILM RECOMMENDATIONSRecommended Reading• The Insight Guide Series on Italy and on Venice • The Real Guide to Venice • Venice: The Best on Art and Architecture, Hugh Honour • Getting It Right in Italy, William Ward• Venice, A Maritime Republic, Frederic Lane (Johns Hopkins Press, 1973)

• The Italians, Luigi Barzini• The Europeans, Luigi Barzini

Recommended Films• Il Sorpasso• Death in Venice (anything by Visconti)• The Bicycle Thief• The Night of Shooting Stars• La Dolce Vita (anything by Fellini)• The Wings of the Dove• Roma: Città Aperta (Open City)• Blow-up (anything by Antonioni)• Circle of Deceit• Padre Padrone• La Grande Abbuffata

“[Venice] is the Shakespeare of cities—unchallenged, incomparable, and beyond envy.”

—John Addington Symonds

2 Boston University Study Abroad Venice

Academics

THE ACADEMIC PROGRAMOffered in conjunction with the Scuola Internazionale diGrafica, Boston University’s Venice Studio Arts Programoffers course work in graphic design, painting, orglassblowing, as well as art history and Italian. Founded in1969, the Scuola offers instruction in printmaking, book arts,drawing, and other subjects.

Classes are taught by internationally recognized instructorsand visiting artists from around the world. In addition toregular class meetings, students have access to the studiosto work independently or with assistants. Field trips toneighboring cities and visits to local museums, galleries, andart sites complement the curriculum.

CLASSROOM FACILITIESMost classes are held in the Scuola Internazionale diGrafica's classrooms and studios. The painting andglassblowing classes are held at different facilities.

LIBRARIESThe Scuola Internazionale di Grafica has a limited supply ofbooks and catalogues relating to art and graphic design.Public libraries, like the Querini Stampaglia (www.querini-stampalia.it), have both antique and contemporary collec-tions of books and can be accessed by students.

ACADEMIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURESYou will receive more detailed information on academicpolicies once you are in Venice. Please keep in mind thefollowing:

Registration for Your Semester AbroadYou will be registered for your courses when you are inVenice, at the beginning of the term. Students will registerfor a total of 16 to 22 credits.

Transfer of CreditsPlease make sure that your credits will transfer to yourhome university before you leave—we cannot stress enoughhow important this is. It is up to your home university toapprove transfer credit.

AttendanceYou are expected to attend each class session, field trip, andany other course-related event unless you have a validreason for being absent. There is no cut allowance, andattendance and class participation will influence your gradefor the course. You will be required to account at any time

for undue absence either by personal explanation to thecourse instructor and/or to the program director, or bywritten statement from another authority.

If you have been absent excessively from a course, you maybe required to withdraw from that course without credit. Ifyou expect to be absent from a class, you must notify yourinstructor and the resident director in advance, preferably inwriting. If you are absent from class for more than two daysfor medical reasons, please seek medical attention.

Academic Conduct CodeAll students participating in a Boston UniversityInternational Program are expected to maintain highstandards of academic honesty and integrity. It is theresponsibility of every student to be aware of the BostonUniversity Academic Conduct Code’s contents and to abideby its provisions. The Academic Conduct Code can be foundat: www.bu.edu/academics.

TardinessAll students must make every effort to be on time for allscheduled meetings and class sessions and should notify theappropriate persons by phone or written message of extenu-ating circumstances that result in tardiness. If you shouldarrive late to class, please minimize the effects of yourarrival; it will be disruptive, and some instructors will nottolerate it until break time.

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 work for

Self-AssessmentThe first step toward a successful study abroadexperience is to spend some time conducting aself-analysis. Think strategically about settingyour goals for your semester/year in Venice.

• Why is this particular program of interest to you?

• List and evaluate your personal and academic interests. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? Why did you choose your major? What courses have you enjoyed taking?

• How does the program relate to your course of study in college, your career plans, and other interests?

• How and what can you contribute to make your semester in Venice a success?

two separate courses will fail one of the courses. Allacademic commitments must be completed before youleave Venice; no incompletes are permitted. Students whodo not complete a course on time will receive an ‘F.’ Inaddition, students are not permitted to audit courses or totake courses on a pass/fail basis.

What to Bring

Along with the documents and materials listed in yourStudent Handbook, be sure to bring:

HANDBOOKSBring this handbook with you to Venice. It contains informa-tion which you may need during your semester in Italy.

DOCUMENTSPassport and Student VisaYou must have a valid passport and student visa to spend asemester in Italy. US citizens should refer to the VisaGuidelines and Sample Visa Application that were sent toyou with your acceptance materials for the program.

Students not traveling on a US passport should contact thenearest Italian consulate to confirm visa requirements(www.ambwashingtondc.esteri.it). If you are not an Italianor EU citizen, and you arrive without a student visa, theprogram reserves the right to send you home at your ownexpense.

Passport-Size PhotosYou should already have sent the specified number ofphotos along with your forms to Venice directly. If you havenot done so, please send them immediately or bring themwith you to Venice. These photos must be identical; thosefrom photo booths are sufficient and much cheaper thanofficial passport photos. Please note that printed or color-copied photos are not acceptable.

Student IdentificationBring your student ID card; it’s always helpful to have anextra form of photo ID. It’s also a very good idea to purchasean International Student Identification Card (ISIC), whichprovides some student discounts and insurance benefits.There is an ISIC affiliated student travel agency in Venice(Dorso Duro Casoscari, 3252, Phone: 041-520-5660),offering discounts on international air and train travel forcardholders (www.isiccard.com, www.myisic.com).

CELL PHONESStudents typically purchase a cell phone in Venice. There arenot contracts as in the US. Students may add money to theiraccount as they need it.

TEXTBOOKSStudents are required to purchase an Italian languagetextbook. You will receive information about the title andhow to purchase the specified edition. Some courses mayuse photocopied material that will be available on-site inVenice. In addition to your textbooks, plan to take a goodItalian-English dictionary, a grammar book, and a travelguidebook.

Recommended TextbooksWhile these books are not required for the program, we dorecommend that you purchase them prior to departure asthey will be useful even after the program:

• Venice: A Guide to Paintings in Original Settings. Terisio Pignattie, Canal & Stamperia Editirice. ISBN-88-86502-14-1;

• Venice: A Guide to the Principal Buildings. Antonio Salvadori, Canal & Stamperia Editrice. ISBN-88-86502-12-5.

Check your local bookstore or an on-line service such asAmazon.com or barnesandnoble.com.

CLOTHINGThe most important thing to remember when packingclothes is that whatever you pack will probably be morethan you will need. Bring clothes that can be easily mixedand matched. Many layers of various weights is the bestway to have a warm and flexible wardrobe for both indoorsand out. Venice is hot and humid in the summer, begins toget chilly in October, and winter lasts through March. Itstarts getting warmer in April. A good raincoat and umbrellaare necessary. Wool sweaters, coats, gloves, hats, scarfs,and socks are helpful in staying warm. Comfortable shoes orrain boots with thick rubber soles are necessary to insulateagainst stone pavements, rain, and maybe even snow. Rainboots can also be purchased cheaply in Venice. Casual wearin Europe is less casual than here; you should be preparedwith some semi-dressy clothes for an occasional invitation

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It is a good idea to have photocopies of allimportant documents, as it makes things mucheasier if they need to be replaced. Theseinclude your passport signature page,credit/debit cards, insurance cards, andairplane tickets.

4 Boston University Study Abroad Venice

out. It’s also a good idea to bring a money belt or a neckpouch to carry credit cards, passport, and money.

TRAVELING WITH PAINTIn traveling with painting supplies, it is important to beaware of air travel security constraints. Before departure,you should review the current list of items that are prohib-ited from both carry-on and checked baggage atwww.tsa.gov. It is strictly prohibited to carry or checkflammable liquids, so it is imperative that you leave allmediums and solvents at home. These items will bepurchased in Italy. However, the “flash point,” or degree offlammability, for artist oil paint is much lower, and isgenerally viewed within the approved range. Nevertheless,keep in mind that if you choose to travel with oil paints,there is some possibility that the TSA may remove paintsfrom your luggage if an inspector views them as hazardous

material. In order to minimize this risk, please do thefollowing:• Pack paints in your checked luggage inside a clear zip-lock bag, for easy inspection.

• Attach a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for yourbrand of paint to the zip-lock bag with a rubber band. TheMSDS sheets can be found online with a bit of research.Contact the manufacturer of your paint directly if youhave difficulty locating this information.

• If you receive any questions at the airport, it may help todescribe the paints as artist’s colors and that they aremade with vegetable oil. It is best to know the specificflash point for your paints.

LINENSLinens (sheets, pillowcases, blankets, and towels) will beprovided

Course SuppliesStudents should be aware that the materialssupplied by each course are meant to cover thebasic demos and assignments. While studentsare encouraged to do work beyond this minimum,the supplies for such work will need to bepurchased by the students, as in Boston.

Below are, listed by course, the materialsprovided by the Scuola and those which willeither need to be brought by the student orpurchased in Venice after arrival.

Printing and Painting Materials Provided by the Scuola The Scuola provides inks for printing and proofpaper; however, students are responsible forpurchasing good paper either through the Scuolaor at one of the art supply stores. The Scuola hasa general supply of tools for students to useONLY while working in the shop. Painters areadvised to bring their own brushes, as the Scuolahas a limited supply for students to use. Paintscan be purchased in Venice. Keep in mind thatsolvents in Italy may be different than what isavailable in the States.

Art Supply Stores in Venice• Testolini: on the Fondamenta Orseolo (two separate stores, one devoted more to painting/drawing, and one more for graphic design) www.testolini.it

• Cartoleria: in Campo San Giacomo dall’Orio (general art supplies)

• Art & Design: near Campo San Pantalon (architecture/drawing supplies)

• Angeloni: in Mestre Centrale, mainland (general art supplies) www.angelonifinearts.it

Students will be provided with a student ID thatwill give them a 10-15% discount at most of thesestores.

Graphic DesignAll proofing paper is provided by the Scuola. Students are responsible for high quality printsfor their final projects and purchasing or bringingone or more flash drives/memory cards.

Art History Most visits and field-trip transportation arecovered in the tuition. However, often asindividual research is compiled and sites are visited again, some money should be allocated for this (approx. $30).

Italian• Italian textbook (Students will receive title and purchase information by e-mail.)

Other Courses• Supply list TBA

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PRESCRIPTIONS AND DRUG STORE ITEMSYou should be sure to bring copies of prescriptions for anymedications you may need and for glasses or contact lensesif you wear them. Since medications tend to be expensive inEurope and because it sometimes can be difficult to get theappropriate equivalent medication, we recommend that youbring an adequate supply of whatever medications you mayuse while abroad. Any medications you do bring should bein the original, properly-labeled bottles. You should alsobring an extra pair of glasses or contact lenses if you wearthem. 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.

COMPUTERSThe Scuola has several iMacs for student use. Most areequipped with Italian operating systems and keyboards.Students typically opt to bring their own laptop, but keep inmind the following:

• You should make a complete backup of all the information/software on the computer.

• Computers should be insured, under your family’sgeneral household policy or a specialized studentinsurance policy, to the full value of the computer(including any peripherals, modem, CD-ROM, etc.)

• For maximum security, buy a security kit. Consisting of a galvanized steel cable with a lock that attaches to the

security slot of the laptop, this system can be used to secure the computer to an immovable object.

• Check whether your computer has a built-in transformer which can handle voltages of 110 (US) to 220. If you havequestions, consult your computer’s manufacturer or instructions manual.

E-mailThe student apartments are equipped with wireless internet.E-mail is available at the Scuola for urgent reasons only.Students may also access e-mail through local Internetcafés. Students in past semesters have used computers atthe public library for Internet access as well.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS• USB flash/pen drive• Sewing kit—bring a small one; it will prove useful• Swiss army-like knife—do not pack in your carry-on bag• Camera, film or memory disk, batteries—you may wish tobring plenty of film, disks, and batteries since they tendto be more expensive overseas

• Alarm clock—bring a small, non-electric one• Sleeping bag (optional)• Budget travel guide—Berkeley guides, Lonely Planet guides, and Let’s Go Italy are recommended.

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

You are expected to participate in all orientation activitiesand excursions, the costs of which are covered by theprogram and are not refundable. The schedule for theseactivities varies and is at the discretion of the programdirector.

Clothing and ClimateIn general, the clothes you will need in Venicewill be about the same as what you wouldneed if you were to stay in Boston. Venice canbe cold during the autumn and winter monthsso you should remember to bring along plentyof warm clothes. Most Italian homes, includingthe program housing, are not heated asthoroughly as American homes, so you willprobably find yourself wearing sweaters bothindoors and out during the colder season.Returning students have stronglyrecommended that you bring long underwear,and you should also be sure to bring rain gear.High waterproof boots may also be useful forVenice, which can flood.

How much will I spend?Depending on your own standard of living andhow much traveling, shopping, and dining outyou do, your expenses (exclusive of tuition,room, and board covered by your program fee)will vary. In the past, students have spent from$1,500-$2,500 per semester. Keep in mind thatyour buying power is directly related to theexchange rate.

6 Boston University Study Abroad Venice

HOUSINGStudents will not be required to pay a housing deposit, butwill be billed for any damage to their apartments or thestudios.

BANKINGExpect more limited hours at banks in Venice than you maybe accustomed to in the US. Banks in Venice will usuallyexchange currency between 8:30 a.m–1:30 p.m. and2:30–3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

ATMsStudents do not need to arrive in Venice with all the initialcosts in cash, as there are plenty of ATMs from whichmoney can be withdrawn. It is best to arrive with about 200Euros.

Students should contact their banks to find out what sortsof charges may be incurred when accessing foreign ATMs.Many banks give a fair exchange rate but charge a substan-tial fee, so it is better to withdraw larger amounts at a time.

Students should make sure they know the pin codes fortheir ATM cards, debit cards, and credit cards. Some olderATMs do not allow for pin codes to be longer than fourdigits.

Students should contact their banks and credit cardcompanies to inform them that they will be abroad for sixmonths, otherwise accounts may be frozen if the banksuspects fraud.

Credit CardsCredit cards are a very good emergency money source, asholders of many of these cards can get cash on the spotfrom participating banks. Students have found VISA andMasterCard to be more useful than American Express.There are ATM machines in Venice and other citiesthroughout Europe where credit cards may be used. RialtoBridge is on the way to the school and contains many banksand ATM machines. Check with your credit card company tomake sure that your PIN will work overseas. Memorize yourpin number in the event that you need to get a cashadvance.

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

COSTS UPON ARRIVALWithin the first eight days of being in Italy all students mustbe registered with the police. You will apply for a Premessodi Soggiorno, or Permit of Residence and the Scuola will alsomake sure that you have your IMOB card which allows youto ride the vaporetto (water bus) at a much lower rate. Bothof these applications require that you arrive in Venice withspecific paperwork and pay certain fees.

Each student MUST arrive in Venice with the following items:• The official, stamped paper from the Consulate which issued his/her visa

• Photocopies of EVERY page of his/her passport (even thepages with nothing on them)

• 5 passport-sized photographs• 2 copies of the picture page of your passport

Each student should be prepared to pay the following fees:• Italian health insurance (each student must buy this evenif his/her regular insurance covers him/her while abroad,this is a law) For six months the cost is 39.74 Euros.

• Marca da Bollo (this is a stamp which can be bought atmost Tabacchi stores and covers the tax that is due onthe Permesso) For one stamp the cost is 14.62 Euros.

• The stamp to mail the Permesso (this application isturned in by mail and must have a special stamp becauseof the nature of the documents) For one stamp the costis 30.00 Euros.

• The electronic processing fee (this fee is charged whenthe Permesso application is brought to the post office tobe mailed) For one ticket the cost is 28.50 Euros.

• The application for the IMOB (this is a card which is goodfor three years, students are required to purchase it,especially for the Art History class) For one applicationthe cost is 40 Euro.

• An initial monthly pass for the vaporetto (this is arequirement when applying for the Carta Venezia) Forone pass the cost is 30 Euro.

• Total Costs: 180-200 Euro (estimated)• The assistant at the Scuola will help the students withfilling out the forms, purchasing the required stamps, andturning in the applications.

COSTS FOR DEPARTUREIt is also wise to keep (or have access to) around $50 incash for your return trip. Check to see if there is a departuretax payable at the airport before you leave--you might needyour last euro or credit card for this purpose, or if you arecharged for excess luggage.

You should always carry your cash and othervaluables (ATM/credit cards, passport andvisa, airline ticket, etc.) in a money belt thatyou wear around your waist under your clothes.If you 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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Arriving in Venice

There are several ways to arrive in Venicedepending on price and convenience.

GETTING TO THE SCUOLA FROM MARCO POLO AIRPORT

1. Water Taxi (Expensive but comfortable, 80-120 Euro.)Five minute walk from the airport exit you willfind the water taxis. You will have to haggle withthe driver and it is best to agree on a price beforeleaving. Have the driver drop you off at the SanMarcuola vaporetto stop. When looking at thechurch of San Marcuola, walk on the right side ofthe building, turn left at the back of the church,and turn right on the Calle Secondo del Cristo.The Scuola is half-way down the calle on the righthand side.

2. Autobus and Waterbus (8 Euro.)Purchase a ticket for the auto bus before leavingthe airport. The orange ACTV bus is only 3 Eurosand takes about 20 minutes to arrive in PiazzaleRoma, the bus terminal in Venice (www.actv.it/en).Here you will switch to the waterbus, orvaporetto, which is 6.50 Euros. Take the Line 1vaporetto in the direction of San Marco/Lido andget off at the San Marcuola stop. Follow thedirections above to the Scuola.

GETTING TO THE APARTMENTS FROM MARCO POLO AIRPORT

1. Water Taxi (Expensive but comfortable, 80-120 Euro.)Five minute walk from the airport exit you willfind the water taxis. You will have to haggle withthe driver and it is best to agree on a price beforeleaving. Have the driver drop you off at Calle delDose da Ponte on the Grand Canal. Walk downthe calle until you reach Campo San Maurizio(100 meters) and turn right. The front door of theapartments is number 2670.

2. Autobus and Waterbus (8 Euro.)Purchase a ticket for the auto bus before leavingthe airport. The orange ACTV bus is only 2 Eurosand takes about 20 minutes to arrive in thePiazzale Roma, the bus terminal in Venice. Hereyou will switch to the waterbus, or vaporetto,which is 6 Euros. Take the Line 1 vaporetto in thedirection of San Marco/Lido and get off at theSanta Maria del Giglio stop. Walk down the calleto Campo Santa Maria Zobenigo. Turn left andcross the bridge, bearing right through a smallcampo and cross a second bridge. When youreach the end of the calle after the second bridgeyou will be in Campo San Maurizio. The frontdoor of the apartments is on the left and isnumber 2670.

You should make sure to have the address of theScuola on your person. If your luggage gets lost,this is where it will be delivered. DO NOT give theaddress of the apartments. The address of theScuola is Cannaregio 1798, 30121 Venezia, VE,Italia.

GETTING TO THE AIRPORT

1. Take the vaporetto to Piazzale Roma and thenthe #5 bus to the airport which is the last stop. Ittakes 25-30 minutes. Bus tickets are purchased inthe office in front of you when you get off thevaporetto. Alternatively, you can take the blueairport bus that goes directly to the airport.

2. Take the vaporetto to Piazza San Marco andthen take the Aliaguna boat that goes to theairport. This journey takes about an hour.

3. Take a water taxis from the street near CampoSan Maurizio. It will take 15-20 minutes.

8 Boston University Study Abroad Venice

Arrival

TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTSYour program fee includes round-trip group airfare from adesignated US city. You will receive separate information onthe group flight arrangements. If you are using the groupflight, you must contact the Advantage travel agencydirectly to make your reservations; we cannot do this foryou. (www.advantagecny.com)

Students arriving on the group flight will be met at theairport by program staff and transported to the ScuolaInternazionale di Grafica. Students are responsible formaking their own travel arrangements to the airport whendeparting at the end of the program.

Independent TravelersTo receive authorization to travel independently, studentstraveling 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. Studentswho choose to travel independent of the group flight shouldalso e-mail their itinerary to the Scuola directly.

Late ArrivalsShould your flight be delayed, please call the Venice office ore-mail Kaitlin McDonough at the Scuola and contact ourBoston office, depending on the time of day. (See last pagefor contact information.)

Note: If you arrive in Venice earlier than the official arrivaldate and/or stay later than the official departure date, youwill need to make your own housing arrangements. Pleasecheck with the staff in Venice or Padova in advance forsuggestions on local accommodations.

ORIENTATIONOn-site orientation begins on Arrival Day. During orienta-tion, you will participate in activities (including a walkingtour of the essential resources for studying and living inVenice) designed to introduce you to your new surroundings

and to the academic expectations of the program. You willalso have a chance to meet with the program staff, tobecome acquainted with program facilities and resources,and to learn more about daily life in your new environment.

Housing

HOUSING ASSIGNMENTSBoston University places all Venice students in apartmentsin Campo San Maurizio. Placements are based on theHousing Questionnaire which you received with youracceptance materials. You will learn of your exact housingassignment after you arrive in Venice. The apartments varyin size, layout and decor. Each apartment has a sharedkitchen and a living area. Double, triple, and a few singlerooms are available.

HOUSING POLICIES AND REGULATIONSThe apartments are located at San Marco, Campo SanMaurizio 2670 and San Marco, Campo Sant’Angelo 3909.More detailed information on housing regulations will begiven to you in Venice. Following are some importantguidelines concerning program housing:

• Out of consideration for your fellow students, and for thesafety of all students, no overnight guests are allowed inthe apartments. Any student that is discovered to haveallowed guests to stay overnight will face severeconsequences.

• Students must respect the rights of other students in theprogram housing.

• All program housing and the Campo will be kept reasonably quiet at all times, especially after 10 p.m.

• Students shall not make or permit their guests to makeany disturbing noise or other nuisance in or about theinterior or exterior of the program housing that willinterfere with the rights, comforts, or convenience ofothers.

• For safety reasons, no smoking is allowed in theapartments.

PHONES AND INTERNETThe apartments are equipped with free wireless internet.There are computers with internet access available at theScuola. The apartments are not equipped with phones.Students are advised to purchase cell phones once theyhave settled in. Cell phones in Europe work on a pay-as-you-go basis rather than on calling plans. Calling cards for cellphones and public telephones are available and mosttabacchi stores. When calling the States, dial 001+ areacode + phone number.

Program StaffLorenzo de Castro - Director of the ScuolaInternazionale di Grafica

Kaitlin McDonough - Program Coordinator,coordinates the Studio Arts Program for BostonUniversity, advises students on courseselection, and organizes classes.

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Please also keep in mind that it costs more for people to calla cell phone in Europe. Your family and friends may want tocheck with their phone company/calling plan for rates.

Internet Phone OptionMany past participants used Skype to call home. It is free todownload and free to talk between computers. For moreinformation go to www.skype.com.

STORING LUGGAGEStorage is available at most train stations at your own risk.Generally, students cannot store luggage at the Scuolabefore the program begins or after the program ends.

Life in Venice

FOOD/DININGAfter family life, food and dining are the most valued thingsin Italy. Food and cooking styles vary widely in differentregions of Italy.

MARKETS AND SHOPSOpen MarketsThe biggest market is at Rialto. There is the fruit andvegetable market as well as the fish market and somebutcher and cheese shops. The fruit and vegetable market isopen Monday-Saturday and the fish market is openTuesday-Saturday. This market is open from about 6:30 a.m.and closes at or before 1 p.m. There is also a small fruit andvegetable market close to the Scuola on Rio Terra SanLeonardo. It generally closes for siesta (1 p.m. - 4 p.m.) butis then open until about 7 p.m. In Campo Santa Margaritathere is a fruit and vegetable market and a boat by CampoSanta Barnaba with similar hours.

Supermarkets• Billa: There are three Billas in Venice: one on the Zattare,one on the Strada Nuova, and the “secret Billa” inCannaregio hidden off of the Fontamenta degli Ormesini.Billa is open seven days a week generally from 9 a.m. to 8p.m. and does not close for siesta.

• Coop: The Coops in Venice are located near the PiazzaleRoma, the Scuola by Campiello dell’Anconetta, theCampo San Giacomo dall’Orio, one north of Campo deiS.S. Apostoli, and one on Rio Terra Garibaldi.

AlimentariThere are many little shops around Venice where it ispossible to buy cheese, meats, bread, drinks, etc. There aretwo close to the apartments, one outside of Santo Stefano

called Rizzo and one just past Calle Ca’Zaguri. There isanother Rizzo by the Scuola on Rio Terra San Leonardo.

Pharmaceuticals, Toiletries, Cleaning SuppliesStudents should not be surprised at the lack of “one stopstopping” in Venice. Most supermarkets do not carry suchthings as aspirin and over-the-counter drugs. Students mustvisit a pharmacy for such items, even contact lens solution.There are several stores around Venice that specialize intoiletries and cleaning supplies: Aqua e Sapone on theStrada Nova and Beautyfull by Campo Santa Maria Formosa.Hardware stores are also good places to check for somehard-to-find items.

MAILYou should receive all mail and packages at the Scuolaaddress. Airmail takes at least 7–10 days to get to Venice,though Italian mail strikes are not uncommon. BostonUniversity will not take responsibility for mail which arrivesbefore the start of the program or after the program ends.Mail cannot be forwarded after the end of the program.

Sending PackagesUS Air mail is the most reliable way to receive packages.Packages will be subject to Italian customs fees, payable ondelivery. No matter how the package is sent, be sure toclearly mark the package as either USED PERSONAL ITEMSNOT FOR RESALE (in the case of sending extra clothing) orUNSOLICITED GIFT (in the case of sending birthdaypresents, etc.). Packages are inspected by customs agentsand duty will be collected from the student if the properforms are not filled out correctly. Never leave store tags onnew items or the customs agent may decide you’ve joinedthe import/export business.

FaxesFaxes may be sent to the Scuola; the number (from the US)is 011-39-041-524-2374.

E-mailE-mail is available at the Scuola and all student apartmentsare equipped with wireless internet for your convenience.

Address All MailName of Studentc/o Scuola Internazionale di GraficaCannaregio 1798Venezia, Italy 30121

*Student mail must be addressed c/o ScuolaInternazionale di Grafico. Anyone sendingpackages to students should not declare valueand describe it as an unsolicited gift.

10 Boston University Study Abroad Venice

NEWSPAPERS AND OTHER PUBLICATIONSVenice has two daily newspapers, La Nuova Venezia(http://nuovavenezia.gelocal.it) and Il Gazzetino(www.gazzettino.it). Reading the newspaper is verycommon in the Italian life-style. The International HeraldTribune and USA Today are also widely available.

PHARMACIES, DOCTORS, AND HOSPITALSIf a student is feeling ill or requires other medical, non-emergency attention, he/she should visit a pharmacy first.Pharmacists are qualified to give advice on minor ailmentsand to dispense prescriptions. There will always be apharmacy opened for 24 hours and every pharmacy willhave a list of hours and locations of all pharmacies postedon their doors. The closest pharmacy to the apartments is inCampo Santo Stefano. The closest pharmacy to the Scuolais on Rio Terra San Leonardo in Campiello dell’Anconetta.

If a student needs to see a doctor, he/she can visitDoctoressa Federica Trambusti. Her office is located close tothe apartments at San Marco, Campo San Samuele 3423.

The hospital in Venice is located in Campo SS Giovanni ePaolo. The telephone number is 041-529-4516.

Emergency Numbers• Police: 113• Fire: 115• Medical: 118• Ambulance: 041-523-0000

TRANSPORTATION: GETTING AROUND VENICEThe city of Venice is well-connected to major cities in theregion. Trains and buses to Padova run continuously, 18hours a day. Trains to Milan, Florence, and Rome are alsoavailable throughout the day.

Students will find walking the easiest method for gettingaround Venice. The vaporetto (water bus) costs 1.50 Euroone-way, or 28 Euro for a monthly pass. Travel by car isimpossible. Students should get the IMOB card (40 Euro)which entitles them to reduced fares on the vaporetto (1Euro per ride). There are also traghetti, a gondola serviceused to cross the Grand Canal (.50 Euro); please note that itis only used to cross the Grand Canal and is convenient ifyou are not near a bridge.

VENICE-AREA HOTELS AND HOSTELSAs mentioned earlier, no overnight guests are allowed inprogram housing. If friends or family members plan to visityou during the semester, please check with the Venice orPadova staff; they should be able to provide you with moreinformation on local accommodations. Accommodations inVenice range from 4-star hotels to small pensions.

OUTSIDE OF VENICEThere will be some opportunities for you to travel outside ofVenice during the semester through program excursions.You may also have some long weekends to do sometraveling on your own.

Getting to Know VeniceVenice is a city both ancient and modern.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 Venice means getting to knowits people and how they live. Some suggestionsfrom past participants:

• “When you arrive in Venice, forget all the stereotypes you have of Italy. Welcome Italy and its culture with a fresh, brand new state of mind.”

• “Be ready to throw yourself into a new experience. Be prepared to learn a lot, even if you feel like you know nothing in the beginning.”

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

Emergency Telephone NumbersStudents experiencing any kind of emergencywhile overseas should contact KaitlinMcDonough or Lorenzo de Castro.

During Weekday Office Hours011-39-041-721-950(Program Office)

Weekend and Evening Emergencies011-39-041-520-4567(Lorenzo de Castro, Home)011-39-340-249-5738(Lorenzo de Castro, Cell Phone)

Parents who need to contact their son ordaughter overseas in a health or safetyemergency should first call him/her at his/herapartment. If s/he can’t be reached there, theparent should contact Mr. de Castro directly.

Remember that Italy is six hours ahead of USEastern Standard Time.

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.

Names and Numbers

Boston University Study Abroad Venice Scuola Internazionale di GraficaCannaregio 1798 30121 VeneziaITALY

Phone: 011-39-041-721-950Fax: 011-39-041-524-2374E-mail: info@scuolagrafica.it

Lorenzo de Castro, Scuola DirectorKaitlin McDonough, Program Coordinator

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