Clothing
In general, pack light clothes, as it will be summer and July in Rome is hot (80-100 degrees Fahrenheit). Here are more specific suggestions: - Shorts and tee shirts for everyday use (ok for class)
- Good and comfortable walking shoes - we'll be doing a lot of walking
- A good quality shoe (proper fit, good arch support, strong and cushioned sole) is well worth their cost
- Flip flops are not going to cut it on the stone streets of Rome. It's ok to bring them, but they should not be the primary shoe you rely on for heavy-duty use
- Nice clothes (but informal is ok) for a night out at the opera
- Clothes for admission to churches to respect dress codes
- Pants or skirts that are not above the knee
- Shirts/tops that cover the shoulders and midsection
- They will not let you in if you don't follow these rules
School materials
These items are required: - Text book: Squaring the Circle, by Paul Calter (available at bookstore)
- Laptop, PC or Mac: you'll be running Geometer's Sketchpad, and submitting your homework via email)
- Don't forget your power adapter, and check that it will work in Italy (most do), though you'll probably need a plug adapter
- Digital camera: you'll be asked to take photos and submit them for homework, but more generally, you'll want to take lots of personal pictures
- Don't forget the charger, and you may wish to get extra memory and a spare battery
- Calculator: simple and small is good, as you'll be carrying this and don't want anything too big
- Tape measure (at least 10 ft, though you definitely won't need more than 25 feet): again, simple and small is good
- Notebooks, pens, pencils
- You may want to get a small notebook for the field trips, and a regular one for taking notes in class
- Day travel pouch or backpack, for field trips
- This will need to fit your calculator, tape measure, digital camera, notebook, pen or pencil, wallet, and perhaps other things, e.g., water bottle, umbrella
Personal items
Most of these are suggestions (though money is obviously strongly suggested!); use your own judgement on these and whatever else you think you may wish to bring: - Skype software (for free communication with family and friends back home, available at http://www.skype.com)
- Sun block
- Medicines (aspirin, allergy pills, cold pills, prescription medicines which may be difficult or complicated to get in Rome, etc.)
- Ear plugs - if your room is noisy, or your window is facing a noisy street, ear plugs can help
- Umbrella - since it may go in your backpack, get a small one, or better yet, bring plastic poncho ("raincoat in a pouch")
- Electrical plug adapter (available at travel stores and electronics stores - make sure it is for ITALY - can also get in Rome)
- Travel alarm (so you're not late for class!)
- Towel(s) - you'll probably be supplied with one, but having another of your own is a good idea
- Money! - see the guide on Money Issues for more information
- Some euros (100) in advance of arriving, so you can pay for taxi, food, etc. upon arrival
- Some dollars for when you're in the American airports
- ATM debit card (connected to your bank checking account) - this is the best/cheapest way of getting cash in Rome
- Credit card (Visa or MasterCard) - for larger purchases if you don't want to use cash
What you can't bring on a plane
While these are typical things you can't bring (on you or in a carry-on), you should check with your own airline what exactly can and cannot be take on board: - Knife (or anything sharp) - they'll simply take it away from you
- Open pills - if you need to bring pills, keep them in their original containers
- Liquids in bottles that are bigger than 3 oz.
Student Suggestions
These are specific items that past Math in Rome students found valuable to bring with them. Definitely worth listening to! - Mini battery-operated fan to keep by your bed at night
- Snacks and snack baggies
- Playing cards (if you get Italian cards in Italy, you can learn how to play some really fun games)
- Mini packs of Kleenex
- Tape
- Scissors (do not put these in your carry on)
- Ruler
- Cough drops
- Cold medicine (e.g., Sudafed and Nyquil)! Cough drops are fairly easy to find, but everything else is nearly impossible
- Anti-diarrhea pills (you just never know if you'll eat something new that doesn't agree with you)
- Bug repellent
- Band-aids (for those blistering feet!)
- Bathing suit
- Bed linens
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