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Check our travel tips and registration instructions!
Weather
In Italy there are four very distinctive seasons:
- In January, it is quite cold and it snows, average temperatures range between 26°F and 42°F (-3°C and 6°C). The humidity rate is about 75%.
- April is usually mild, with average temperatures range between 42°F and 62°F (5.6°C and 16.6°C). The humidity rate is 72%.
- In July, the temperature ranges between 61°F and 82°F (16°C and 28°C). The humidity rate is about 72%, and, on average, it rains only five days.
- October is usually mild, average temperatures range between 45°F and 63°F (7°C and 17°C). the humidity rate is about 79%.
- Spring and Fall are usually mild and rainy: May is the rainiest month while November and December are the top humid months with an 80% rate.
Clothes
For shorter summer stays, pack clothes for about 10 days, keeping in mind some days may be very hot and humid and others milder.
If you come over the winter, don’t forget Turin is in Northern Italy: it’s cold, it snows and rains; so, make sure you pack at least one pair of heavy-duty shoes and warm clothes.
Consider packing matching clothes that can be hand washed and don’t wrinkle easily.
Remember that dryers aren’t common in Italy, so you will have to drip dry them.
One nice outfit and comfortable shoes are recommended. However, keep in mind it’s better to avoid flip-flops and white shoes.
As a general cultural rule: long pants for the guys and knee-high skirts and shoulder covering (even just a wide scarf) for the girls are recommended to enter informal restaurants and religious sites.
Passport and Visa
If you are a non-European citizen you need a passport to enter Italy. If you don’t have one yet, please apply soon as it can take a long time to get it.
If you already have a passport make sure it is not expired or about to expire.
Leave one photocopy of your passport front page with your emergency contacts in your country and carry one with you – in case you need to request a duplicate the photocopy showing the passport number will speed up the process. It’s essential you keep your passport always in a safe place!
Unless you are taking semester-long courses at TEC, if the duration of your program is less than 3 months, students travelling with a US or Canadian passport won’t need to apply for a visa as they will be admitted to Italy on a tourist visa. all students from other countries need to check their situation at the closest Italian embassy or consulate in their Country.
Money
Consider taking with you about 400 Euros in cash.
Check with your credit card company if they can (even only temporarily) withdraw the foreign transaction fee you can be charged when using your credit card abroad.
Check with your bank if they partner with any Italian and/or European bank where ATM and transfer fees might be lower.
Don’t bring any travel cheques as it won’t be easy to cash them, the easiest way to get cash is by using an ATM machine. However, fees may be high.
Don’t forget to bring your credit card company phone number in case you need to cancel it due to loss or theft!
Healthcare
If you are taking any prescription medication, bring an adequate supply for the whole program.
Italian pharmacists are doctors and speak English and as a tourist, you are fully covered by the Italian national healthcare.
If you have any special need, please make sure to notify it to TEC when filling out our application form.
Consider bringing with you:
- medicines to take care of common ailments (Tylenol isn’t sold in Italy), an extra pair of glasses or contact lenses and a small first aid kit
- your basic most favourite toiletries
- an “emergency card” indicating: name, blood type, allergies, special medical conditions, emergency contacts and physician phone number
Insurance
We recommend that all students are personally insured against illness and accident. Ask your insurance whether you are covered abroad, and in case purchase a travel insurance covering: health, personal liability property loss, trip cancellation, etc..
Electronics
If you are carrying any electronic devices, you will need a plug adapter and an international voltage converter. Check with your electronics store. You may want to consider packing: extra batteries, USB flash drive/SD card for your camera.
We also recommend you bring
- access numbers to places you intend to visit
- emergency numbers and e-mails of key contacts in Italy and in your home country
- a travel size alarm clock.
You may also want to create a skype account to call/videochat with your family and friends at home.
Before the trip
Before packing check with the airline the baggage allowance for both checked-in and cabin luggage. Pack lightly as you might buy many things during your trip 🙂
Label all your belongings, leaving home the things you wouldn’t want to lose!
Your carry-on should include a “survivor kit” of basic items to help you out for 5 days in case your checked-in bag got delayed, important documents (passport, arrival instructions, itinerary, visa), medications, valuables (electronics, camera, cellphone, jewelry), maps, toiletries and your ticket!
We’ll post more quick tips and pictures on our Facebook page as your departure date gets closer 😉
