faqS

I have food allergies and intolerances. Will this be an issue? 

We will ask you to submit any proven food allergies and intolerances or dietary preferences (vegan, vegetarian, etc.) to make arrangements for your meal plan.  If you need help finding grocery stores or restaurants that offer specific food options, we will be happy to support you. 

Should I get an international data plan at home or in Italy? 

Most students have their own phones and set up services that work in Italy. Some students decide to get a separate SIM card with a data plan for their smartphones once they are here. If you are planning on getting a SIM card with a data plan here, we suggest that you check that your phone is unlocked. The main companies are Vodafone, Tim, WindTre, and Iliad.   Here are two articles that summarize the types of services/plans that are usually available:  https://gearuptotravel.com/europe/buying-sim-cards-in-italy/ and https://anamericaninrome.com/wp/2019/08/italy-sim-card/.

I will be traveling with medication/refilling prescriptions. What should I be mindful of?

Inform your physician about your travel to Italy to attend a study abroad program. Check with the international insurance page to get familiar with all their services. Bring any prescription medication you take, enough to cover your entire stay, if possible.  If you do not have a lot of medication to bring, you can put it in your carry-on. If it is a lot of medicine or depending on the type of medicine, and you are not sure if you will have trouble when going through security,  you can plan to carry some in your carry-on luggage and the rest in your checked luggage (just in case the checked luggage gets delayed) but it is advisable that you check with the airport staff at the check-in desk about the airline policy.

Before you leave for Italy, it’s best to check with the international insurance you are enrolled in to see if you are covered for prescription medication. Not all over-the-counter prescription medications are legal in all countries. International insurance can verify the legality of medications in your destination country and recommend alternatives (if necessary) that you and your treating physician can consider.

Refilling medication:  If you need to refill your medication, you will have to get a doctor's appointment in Pavia to get a new prescription to take to the pharmacy. We will help you with this.

When is the check-out and departure date?

Housing check-out and departure date is on the program end date. The Pavia staff will check-out time along with check-out procedures including how and where to leave your keys.

I want to travel after the program ends and leave my luggage in Pavia in the meantime. Where can I leave my bags?

There are various luggage storage services in Pavia such as Radical Storage (https://radicalstorage.com/luggage-storage/pavia). Ultimately, you are responsible for choosing the service most suitable for your needs.