FIU Italy Program

FIU in Italy Summer Program ~ Predeparture Checklist:

Thought about what clothes to pack? (see the "what weather to dress for?" link from the homepage)
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Have you done these things?

• If you are a sophomore preparing to register for upper division (IDH 3005 or IDH 4007): Notified Honors College Students Services that you need to be registered for the Italy courses and will not be taking an Honors seminar in the Fall of 2008?

•Made plans to learn some Italian before our departure ? This will enable you to enjoy and appreciate the experience more.

• Paid for your insurance with the Office of Education Abroad?

• Contacted the FIU Financial Aid Office (PC 125, (305) 348-2489) if you need to?
They will ask you for a letter from The Honors College indicating that you have been accepted into the Italy Program.

• Obtained or hold a current passport valid through July of 2009?
You alone are responsible for all of your travel documentation.

.....Miami Passport Agency

• If you are an international student, contacted the FIU Office of International Student Services (ISS) ?
You must do this if you are an international student in order to participate.
Speak to Ana Sippin at (305) 348-2421.

• If you are an international student, contacted the Italian Consulate to verify which documentation you need ?
They are at 1200 Brickell Avenue, (305) 374 6322. Look here first: http://www.consmiami.esteri.it

• Have you asked The Honors College if there are any other consulates that you need to contact (depending on the flight path)?

• Completely filled out the Student Emergency Information Form and returned it to The Honors College office?

• Completed the OIS Release of Liability Form and returned it to The Honors College office ?
You must do this in order to participate in the Italy Program.

• Read the attached FIU / OIS Health and Safety Guidlines Considerations?

• Purchased a guidebook(s) for the trip? Please see the faculty recommendations accessible from the index.

FIU Office of International Studies
Health & Safety Guidelines (abbreviated):

The following information is provided for participants and their parents / guardians/ families regarding when and where the sponsor's responsibility ends, and the range of aspects of participants' overseas experiences that are beyond the sponsor's control.

In particular, program sponsors generally:

a) Cannot guarantee or assure the safety of participants or eliminate all risks from the study abroad environments.

b) Cannot monitor or control all of the daily personal decisions, choices, and activities of individual participants.

c) Cannot prevent participants from engaging in illegal, dangerous or unwise activities.

d) Cannot assure that U.S. standards of due process apply in overseas legal proceedings or
provide or pay for legal representation for participants.

e) Cannot assume Responsibility for the actions of persons not employed or otherwise engaged by the program sponsor, for events that are not part of the program, or that are beyond the control of the sponsor and its subcontractors, or for situations that may arise due to the failure of a participant to disclose pertinent information.

f) Cannot assure that home-country cultural values and norms will apply in the host country.

Responsibilities of Participants :

In Study Abroad, as in other settings, participants can have a major impact on their own health and safety abroad through the decisions they make before and during the program and by their day-to-day choices and behaviors.

Participants should:

1. Read and carefully consider all materials issued by the sponsor that relate to safety, health, legal, environmental, political, cultural, and religious conditions in host countries.

2. Consider their health and other personal circumstances when applying for or accepting a place in a program.

3. Make available to the sponsor accurate and complete physical and mental health information and any other personal data that is necessary in planning for a safe and healthy study abroad experience.

4. Assume responsibility for all the elements necessary for their personal preparation for the program and participate fully in orientations.

5. Obtain and maintain appropriate insurance coverage and abide by any conditions'

6. Inform parents / guardians / families, and and, others who may need to know, about their participation in the study abroad program, provide them with emergency contact information, and keep them informed on an ongoing basis.

7. Understand and comply with the terms of participation, codes of conduct. and emergency procedures of the program, and obey host-country laws.

8. Be aware of local conditions and customs that may present health or safety risks when making daily choices and decisions. Promptly express any health or safety, concerns to the program staff or other appropriate individuals.

9. Behave in a manner that is respectful of the rights and well-being, of others, and encourage others to behave in a similar manner.

10. Accept responsibility for their own decisions and actions.

11. Become familiar with the procedures for obtaining emergency health and law enforcement services in the host country.

12. Follow the program policies for keeping program staff informed of their whereabouts and well-being.

Recommendations to Parents / Guardians / Families.

In Study Abroad as in other settings, parents, guardians, and families can play, an important role in the health and safety of participants by helping them make decisions and by influencing their behavior overseas.

When appropriate, parents / guardians / families should:

1. Obtain and carefully evaluate health and safety information related to the program, as provided by the sponsor and other sources.

2. Be involved in the decision of the participant to enroll in a particular program.

3. Engage the participant in a thorough discussion of safety and behavior issues, insurance needs, and emergency procedures related to living abroad.

4. Be responsive to requests from the program sponsor for information regarding, the participant.

5. Keep in touch with the participant.

6. Be aware that some information may most appropriately be provided by the participant rather than the program.

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