Passports & Visas

Students obtain their own passports. Students who already have passports should make sure they will be valid at least six months after their last day in Europe. International students should make sure all necessary paperwork is in order and that their country of origin has passport and visa reciprocity with Italy. The School will assist students with the visa application process. Visas are required for all semester students. Visas are required for summer students only if they hold a non-US passport. If you want to check whether you need a visa to study abroad, visit this link: http://vistoperitalia.esteri.it/home/en#BMQuestionario

Health Insurance

Undergraduate students participating in study abroad are required to have international health insurance. WashU has a policy with GeoBlue to guarantee access to the highest quality medical care across the globe. Students will be automatically enrolled in the GeoBlue Student policy for the duration of their study abroad.

The GeoBlue Student Insurance charge will appear on the student’s Washington University billing statement within the academic semester. Access policy documents at the GeoBlue Students website.

Please note: the GeoBlue Student policy is not a substitute for the student’s existing domestic health insurance coverage. The GeoBlue Student policy does not provide domestic (United States) coverage, and does not meet the University’s requirements for student health insurance. It is a supplement to the student’s existing health insurance plan.

Students should not cancel their US health insurance.

MyTrips
Registration in the MyTrips Travel Registry is required for all students, faculty, & staff traveling abroad on university business. Creating an account and registering your trip will take about 10 minutes.
International SOS Emergency Assistance

For large-scale and group emergencies, get 24-hour assistance or travel warnings, visit ISOS.

Students currently in Florence, in case of personal emergency, contact the SRISA main campus at +39 055 462 7374 or the SRISA emergency phone number.

Florence Handbook

Download the Florence Handbook.

Travel Checklist

Copies

  • Make copies of your passport.
  • Make copies of your travel itinerary.
  • Make copies of your Covid 19 vaccine card.
  • Make copies of the front and back of each  credit/debit card you will be taking with you.
  • Make copies of any items of importance (ie: enrollment letters).
  • When in doubt, make a copy!
  • Give the copies to your parents/guardian/spouse back home and keep at least one copy with you while abroad. Keep copies in a secure and separate place from the originals.
  • You may wish to keep a digital copy on a cloud or filed on your phone and/or computer.

Banking

  • Obtain at least two credit/debit cards.
  • Check with companies about restrictions abroad for ATM and Credit Cards.
  • Notify your credit card companies and/or bank that you will be abroad so they don’t freeze
    your account(s).
  • Keep paper and/or digital copies of the front and back of your cards in case they are lost or stolen
  • Review procedures for reporting and replacing a damaged, lost or stolen debit of credit card.
  • Be realistic about how much money you need for travel and living expenses. Know the exchange rate and trends before you travel.

What to Bring

  • DON’T OVERPACK. Everything you pack you have to carry.
  • Sheets (Twin) and towels for apartment dwellers
  • Map/guidebook
  • Computer
  • Camera
  • Adaptors
  • Medications in original bottles
  • Umbrella
  • Small travel bag for weekend trips
  • Good walking shoes
  • Clothes for layering
  • One nice set of clothes
  • Personal hygiene items to get you through the 1st week. You can restock once you know your way around. You may  want to pack favorite toiletry items and brands that may not be easily accessible in Italy.
  • Italian Textbook – Percorsi Edition 3. If you have edition 2, that is fine. Online access is not necessary. Books can be shared between 2 students if you want to.
  • Pocket size Italian/English language book
  • Supplies (only the ones you can’t live without or expensive items you won’t want to re-buy in Italy. There are great art supply stores in Florence)
  • Spread out essential items, such as undergarments and a change of clothes throughout your
    pieces of luggage. This is a good idea should the airline lose one of your bags.

Carry On Bag

  • Toothbrush
  • One set of clothes
  • Laptop
  • All electronics and other valuables
  • Medication, always in original bottles
  • Important phone numbers – SRISA, Courtney, parents (printed and on your phone)
  • 100-200 Euros (get cash before you arrive in Italy)

Jet Lag

  • Sleep on the plane
  • Drink lots of water on the plane
  • Don’t drink alcohol
  • Eat a full meal and drink lots of water when you arrive

If You are Delayed

General Resources

WUSTL Global https://global.wustl.edu/resources/

CDC https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/

US Dept of State https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel.html