Hi All, My son will be studying for a semester in Rome through Temple University's Visual Arts program starting in September. The classrooms are located at Lungotevere Arnaldo da Brescia, 15 and he will be living at Residence Medaglie D'Oro Viale delle Medaglie D'Oro, 73. I am familiar with the class site, Villa Caproni, but not so familiar with the residence. Anyone have any knowledge or info that we should know about before we put him on a plane ? Also, if you know of any apartments or hotels nearby in case we want to visit while he is there. Thanks for all your help, Jeff
I would start on the Italian language as soon as possible. The more Italian he knows or can even begin to assimilate before he goes, the better off he will be, in all aspects.
He might also consider picking up the latest copy of Living, Working, and Studying in Italy by Larner/Ward, and getting logistical information about Rome itself from more specialized guides.
I would think the school might be able to suggest lodging possiblities for visitors as well.
Thanks for the responses. We got to Rome in 2006 and had a look at the school. Mike took a semester of Italian in the spring, so he has a start anyways. Nan, I'll definitly get him that book - thank you ! Lisa, is that area pretty safe ? We didn't have the address for the residence when we were over so we couldn't check it out. Also, any advice about plane tickets ? I'm thinking two one-way tickets, but that seems a little more expensive. Can I get a round trip ticket over 90 days ?
I am not sure if this will help ,but here is a public transit map round where your son will be living. The pink dot in the upper left is approximately where he will be staying. Viale Medagile must be a big strett becase3u there are 3 buss lines that run down it. All three go past the Cipro Metro stop, so he could go other places in Rome along the Metro from there. 907 ends at the Cipro stop. 991 ends at the Ottaviano Metro stop. 913 bus line goes a long way. it eventually goes south along Via Cicerone, crosses the Tiber and ends near the Mausoleum of Augustus/Ara Pacis.
There is what I think is a regioal train station near where he is staying Stazione Proba Petronia. I am not sure is there is service from the airport to that train station like there is from the Trastevere and Ostiense Train Stations.
Posts: 4358 | Location: St Paul, MN | Registered: 10 February 2006
I'll have to get to work on the plane tickets soon after the new year. Right now I can't find too much beyond a return date of 12/1. He'll probably want to travel a week or so before he returns, so we're looking at 12/21 or 22 for a return flight. Passport is in order, so a student visa shouldn't be too much trouble. Dragonpat, Thanks for the public transit info. Looks like the residence is in a pretty good spot for him to get around. He won't be so much a tourist so if there are markets nearby, he should be set!
He won't be so much a tourist so if there are markets nearby, he should be set!
I am not sure about the markets nearby that location. I( have never been that far west and north in Rome. I have been to the Ottaviano Metro stop and near the Cipro metro stop. I didn't look for grocery stores when I was there. I stayed near the Colosseum and know where the grocery stores there were.
In the main part of Rome, you never know how far you might have to walk or travel to get something that here is America you can buy at the cash register at the Walgreens and take off in your car. Like a flash drive or a USB cable (maybe not the Walgreens but the Radio Shack next to the grocery store). The areas around Metro stops often have a bunch of useful shops for buying stamps, week or month long transport tickets, and places to get your film developed or your pictures tranferred to a CD.
I only mentioned some of the tourist sites because of a lack in my own mind on how to describe them.
My daughter took a semester of Italian and it was a big help on our trips. I am sure that he will learn a lot more when he is there for a year. I am much better at reading Italian than I am at understanding what anyone says to me in Italian: it looks a lot like Latin.
Posts: 4358 | Location: St Paul, MN | Registered: 10 February 2006
You can always mailorder tech stuff. Plus alot of other stuff. Mail order prices can be cheap enough to off set shipping. Plus many places offer COD so you don't even need a CC.
Does your son know about the ATAC web site, the public transportation site that lists the weekly and monthly passes for public transportation. It is also a good way to find the best routes from place to place in Rome. Since he has taken Italian, he should be able use the whole site. There are some pages in English but there is more information on the Italian pages, particularly on the different transport passes.
As for shopping, one of the best, and the most "Italian" of the rione markets is at Trionfale. Due to some (EU?) regulation, all of the rione street markets (M - Sat., 7AM - 1PM) are being put under a roof and Trionfale's is the most ambitious, since it is the largest one. It's market of hundreds of food vendors will be in a multi-story building, with a public swimming pool underneath. It is due to open in April, 2008.
I say "Italian" as the food sold is the most traditional of meats and vegetables. He will have fun just walking through it.
There is also a wholesale flower market about 1 block away from it which is open to the public on Tuesday mornings. It's where the most florist and also street rose vendors get their supplies.
And Via Candia is a good zone for stylish clothes at good prices.
I think he couldn't do much better in terms of shopping!
You can always mailorder tech stuff. Plus alot of other stuff. Mail order prices can be cheap enough to off set shipping
Often one needs an item faster than it comes in the mail. I eventually was able to get a flash drive at an office supply store near Piazza dell' Esquilino at S. Maria Maggiore.
When I needed a USB cable, I was able to get one at the Esedra Mall near Piazza Republica. I myself tend to be better at anticipating stuff I need than my high school or college student. With them, all I can say is than God for 2 day shipping from Amazon.com.
That's why it is a good idea to know about the transit options you have to check out when you need something in a hurry.
Posts: 4358 | Location: St Paul, MN | Registered: 10 February 2006
The University will take care of most of his technical needs I presume. He has a Mac. Are they as popular in Italy as they are over here ? I imagine so. We did the Goggle Earth thing this afternoon. There seems to be a large green space in the area of the residence. Any idea what it may be?
The green area is Monte Mario, a hilly area that is becoming a park with jogging and bike paths. The area is mid city and a bus ride away from the classroom buildings. Don't worry...study abroad programs here all have indepth orientation programs for just-arriving students. One thing to stress is NOT to bring huge unmanageable suitcases.You see students at the airport with these : better a small bag and knapsack or such to use for weekend travel.
Originally posted by AltoonaJeff: Lisa, is that area pretty safe ? We didn't have the address for the residence when we were over so we couldn't check it out.
I'm not Lisa but we stayed in that area in 2000. It is a lovely residential area. I would consider it one of the safest areas in Rome. Lots of people who work in Vatican live there and a lot of retirees. Not a lot of tourists (they tend to stay south of Vatican) so he will have a genuine experience.
One other word of advice. We all tend to seek our comfort zones. He will be tempted to hang out with his "homies" from the US. Try to encourage him to meet italian kids his age. Italian women are lovely so that would be a good motivator.
A different world view is one of the best things that an overseas semester can give a student.
As far as the italian? Practice with him. When you are serving dinner ask "what is this in italian?" Also you can get L Osservatore Romano on line. Even just reading helps. He may not get the accent right but he'll understand the context in conversation.
Many DVD's come with language options. Particularly stuff that appeals to teens and college age. When you rent (or the stuff you own) a DVD check out the "languages" portion of it. Switch to Italian on the DVD.
If you have DISH or a satellite system switch to the italian channels. Italian commercial TV directly appeals to male adolescents.
Originally posted by Rome Addict: One other word of advice. We all tend to seek our comfort zones. He will be tempted to hang out with his "homies" from the US. Try to encourage him to meet italian kids his age. Italian women are lovely so that would be a good motivator.
As far as the italian? Practice with him. When you are serving dinner ask "what is this in italian?" Also you can get L Osservatore Romano on line. Even just reading helps. He may not get the accent right but he'll understand the context in conversation.
A semester of Italian is not all that much judging from what my daughter remembers, so he will need lots of practice. reading helps, but not a lot in speaking.
Italian women could be interesting and fascinating because they are so different from American ones. They are mostly gorgeous and spend a lot more time on their appearance than American women. he needs to realizes the difference in cultural attitudes. All the unspoken things between men and women is further compounded by the culture divide so that he doesn't get into trouble with his assumptions and maybe her assumptions. I don't know if he can have this kind of conversation with Mom; Dad would be better.
Posts: 4358 | Location: St Paul, MN | Registered: 10 February 2006
He will surely need to brush up on his italian speaking skills. As a jealous father, I certainly hope he becomes friends with many Italians his age, both male and female. Believe me, the lore and legend of italian women has not been lost on him !
Believe me, the lore and legend of italian women has not been lost on him
The legend and lore might not be real. Quite the contrary.
Kinda of like the lore and legend of American women in Italy. This was touched on in a thread about an American coed studying abroad named Amanda. American women are regarded as loose and promiscous by one than one foreign culture. Reality probably is that they are not so different from women in many of the developed countries around the world (exclude japan).
Posts: 4358 | Location: St Paul, MN | Registered: 10 February 2006
Originally posted by dragonpat: American women are regarded as loose and promiscous by one than one foreign culture. Reality probably is that they are not so different from women in many of the developed countries around the world (exclude japan).
Not all American woman are regarded this way. Just those who act like they are that way (Amanda and her ilk). Big difference.
Luckily, he treats all women with the respect they deserve so he should get along fine.
That's great. Italian girls will probably love him. I think American men are great. The best of all the rest. They are more likely to treat you like a person.
Luckily in most of my interactions with foreign men at work, they tend not to think of me as a woman at all. I am old, fat, and not all that attractive, but what clinches it is that usually I am the lead scientist on the team. I haven't had one of them ask for the "man" in the lab for about 20 years now.
Posts: 4358 | Location: St Paul, MN | Registered: 10 February 2006
What type of electrical convertor should we be looking for. He will need to be charging his computer, cell phone, etc. We were thinking about bringing an American power strip and plugging that into a voltage converter. Will that work ?
American power strip and plugging that into a voltage converter. Will that work ?
I might worry about that for a different reason. I would worry about drawing too much power off one circuit breaker. All these Italian building look old and I bet the power consumptions have not been updated. At our school church that was built in the 50s, there were donated computers sitting in boxes for years, because the school electrical service had not been updated and they could not plug them all in without blowing a breaker. In the church kitchen, they could not run the coffee pot and the microwave at the same time without blowing a breaker.
Maybe I am off base?
Posts: 4358 | Location: St Paul, MN | Registered: 10 February 2006
Originally posted by AltoonaJeff: What type of electrical convertor should we be looking for. He will need to be charging his computer, cell phone, etc.
I doubt you even need a converter.
Verify the voltage: most portable devices are 110-240, and when that's the case, you'll only need a plug adapter for each, about €2 from any electronics store (or even stores where they sell lamps).
I also like the power strips that are available here, because the plugs are at an angle, therefore allowing the use of each of them without covering up another.
For devices that are not dual-voltage, just order a converter for the correct wattage online at one of many websites you'll find, or wait to buy one here.
What kind of computer? If it's a laptop it's likely just the plug adapter. If it's a desktop then there is a switch on the back of most. Should be red. Move it to 220v and your done. Just check the switch. Oh and you'd still need a plug adapter.
US cell phone or Italian? If he's living in Italy for more then a month it'll make sense to get a cheap Italian phone which should come with it's own charger.
Even the base 3K Watts service is a fair bit of power if you use it wisely. Most here have a fridge etc plugged in and many even have electric ovens. You don't do things like trying using an electric kettle and a hairdryer at the same time but I'd suggest leaving the kettle at home. A computer and other electronics are pretty low power use.
** corrected at request of OP **
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kim,
You don't do things like trying using an electric kettle and a hairdryer at the same time
A friend of ours had an old apartment in Philadelphia and if he turned the air-conditioning on he had to turn the TV off. we stayed with him for a week once.
oh well you'll figure it out what the load is if you keep blowing the circuit breaker. The apartments we rented often did not have very plugs per room so I wondered how much of an electrical load each room could carry.
Posts: 4358 | Location: St Paul, MN | Registered: 10 February 2006
I just checked my whole house is on one 3000 watt circuit. In North American terms that's a 25 amp circuit. Normal North American circuits max out at 20 amps. So anything you'd do at home you should be able to do on a base service here. The difference is you'd have multiple circuits at home so if somebody was using a hair dryer in one part of the house you could running a different power hog in a different room without any problems.
I'm not sure why the electric ovens in so many homes.
'm not sure why the electric ovens in so many homes.
Running a natural gas/propane line for a stove/oven can be problematic depending on exactly where the main line is, and where you have to dig. it saves on construction costs to not bother with a natural gas line to a dwelling at all.
I like gas stoves/ovens but there are lots of people who prefer electric ones. The electric ovens do pull a lot of watts.
My resident electrical engineer says that our house has a about a dozen circuit breakers and each one can handle 1800 watts. He said that the one circuit breaker with our electric clothes drier on it is probably 3000 watts.
Posts: 4358 | Location: St Paul, MN | Registered: 10 February 2006
Nick, normal in Italy is 3.2kW for the house so you can't run things like you do in the U.S.. This means no hair dryer and oven at the same time. For those of us who have water pumps this causes even more of a prob as they consume a lot so turning on the water and running the oven can blow the system. I upgraded to 4.5 so at least I can run a few things at once but I have been known to blow the system even at that. You also need to know which plugs you are using. If the plug is a large 3 prong you use the high consumption items with this, small for small consumption.
Originally posted by Cristina: Nick, normal in Italy is 3.2kW for the house so you can't run things like you do in the U.S..
For the whole house yes. But the average North American circuit isn't that large. The big difference is big energy hogs [A/C,ovens,dryers and I guess water pumps] would be on their own circuit in North America. But for things that plug in you're actually better off with a 3k service then the average 20 amp North American circuit.
If you tried to plug things into one room in North America you'd end up with the same problem of tripping circuits. It would happen even sooner then the 3k service.
Running a natural gas/propane line for a stove/oven can be problematic
All the homes had gas range burners. Some body decided they'd rather have an electric oven which just seems strange with all the houses have small electrical services.
All the homes had gas range burners. Some body decided they'd rather have an electric oven which just seems strange with all the houses have small electrical services.
You must be right then. I didn't realize. I thought they had those electric plates on the stove top. That is very strange.
Posts: 4358 | Location: St Paul, MN | Registered: 10 February 2006
It is a lap top. I never thought about getting him an italian cell phone. any suggestions on which company to use ? We have Verizon over here. He'll be in Rome for three months.
You could easily wait until you arrive. Vodafone has an english site which will let you review the phones and plans they offer. You can get one at a Vodafone store, or go to a store where they support all the service providers and compare. They are all fairly equal, Tim might have slightly more coverage.
I remember from Previous thread that TIM won't take foreign credit cards to pay for online minutes. You have to buy minutes in cash for a tobbaco shop. Vodaphone will let you buy online minutes with a foreign credit card, so he could use his or your credit card to buy minutes online.
He will need a cheap phone and a local SIM card. here is link where you can read about this stuff. If you have verizon his current phone is probably useless because it doesn't run off a SIM card. I have bought quad band RAZRs on e ebay that worked in italy, but you should read this stuff. For a 3 month stay you want a GSM phone and a local SIM card. he can wait and buy both in Italy when he gets there and get the people at the store to set up his phone and get it working. Give hime price guidelines http://www.slowtrav.com/europe/cell_phones.htm http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/instructions/cell_phones.htm
Posts: 4358 | Location: St Paul, MN | Registered: 10 February 2006
As far as mac use in italy.. Mac users only represent 3% of total computer users world wide. The large majority of that 3% reside in the united states where mac hype is large, and it is still often hard to find parts unless you have a "mac store" or an internet site handy.
Though I never searched for pc parts while in italy, I doubt mac computer parts will be easily attainable without mail order.
As for questions referring to american electrical standards maxing out at 20amp..., this is simply not true. I worked for an electrician for all of my highschool and most of my college life. 20amp is the standard for most heavy duty appliances, but in no way is 20amp the limit to what you can use. I have personally installed many 30amp 2pole breakers, ironically... for a massive electric stove at one point!
Posts: 110 | Location: NJ | Registered: 27 January 2006
Though I never searched for pc parts while in italy, I doubt mac computer parts will be easily attainable without mail order.
Tell him not to lose his charger or buy him an extra. The only thing that might be a problem is printing off his laptop. Many old PC printers don't have drivers to let them print from a Mac. Does his school have a wireless network he can log onto? Will there be any problem logging on with a Mac? At the U of Mich both PCs and Macs can log on to the school's network and one can print off that, but we are talking Italy here. maybe because it is an art School there will be more Mac than you think. At UW stout they require the art students to have Macs. Macs are much better at graphics than PCs. maybe you can find out?
you can buy these small portable printers for the mac. I bought one for my husband for Father's day.
Posts: 4358 | Location: St Paul, MN | Registered: 10 February 2006
My daughter just returned from a semester in Rome. She was at The American University of Rome or AUR. What an amazing experience she had. She lived in an apartment with 4 other girls about a 20 minute walk from the school. The area is just northwest,I believe,of Trastevere. She returned the week before Christmas, and misses it more each day that she's home. She traveled all over Italy and also to Spain, London, Switzerland, and Amsterdam. The girl that left in August came home a young woman when she returned in December. We were able to visit with her in October. She showed us Rome through different eyes than we had ever experienced on our other trips. We had dinner in her apartment and hung out with her and her friends. I now know where all the bars are. The one thing that I noticed is that all the US students do stick together. There's an American bar where they go to watch the US games, and socialize. They're magnetized , because they all find each other. I never knew that Campo dei Fiori became an array of bars after dark. I could have been on any US campus. The kids call it "Campo". But, she did mingle with the locals. She shopped for groceries at the supermarket and at the open markets. She washed her clothes and hung them out over the balcony, "Italian Style". She learned and did things that she never anticipated that she would or could. Again I have to say that it was the best experience that we could have offered to her. She did learn valuable lessons. #1 NEVER EVER leave your camera sitting on the table in front of you. It will be gone. #2 Never Ever leave one suitcase at the bottom of a hill while you get the other one at the top of the hill. One will be gone at the blink of an eye. And, while we're on that subject always listen to your Mother's advice and take a cab when one has too much luggage to handle comfortably alone. Her camera was stolen just 2 days prior to leaving, and the suitcase was stolen the morning of her flight home. (She's a design student, and all her work for the semester was in the bag)Needless to say it was devastating and I received a call at 1Am here, with a daughter in tears. But, even with these mishaps she would go back and do it again. If she wouldn't have to change her major she would love to finish her degree in Rome. As far as the electrical needs. Cell phone, cameras, and computers are dual voltage. So you only need adapters. Mac also has an adapter that can be purchased to use there. And, I believe that there is a Mac store in Rome or on the outskirts. My other daughter is a former Mac employee, so she's always up on the latest store openings, She wanted to see the store when we were there but we never made it. I'm sure you can look it up on the website. I did speak with the Professor in charge of the study abroad program at her University here, and he said that those last days are generally when things go wrong. Probably it has to do with lack of sleep(finals) and trying to get everything in , along with a total sense of comfort. But, I guess it's all part of the experience. Take the good with the bad. If your son or you have any more questions my daughter and I are happy to answer. This is so exciting for him and you. Tell him to take advantage of every opportunity. And to start saving every penny now. There's so much to do and see.
Is Temple sending a group of student's or is your son going alone? Because, we had to send alot of info to the Italian consulate for a student visa. It took a few months. My daughter's school sent all the student's together. They send around 40 students each semester. So they have it down to a science. There's also the Permesso needed in Rome to be a temporary resident. We were fortunate because the school had everything spelled out for us . We were given a"Rome Handbook" and all the info is in there. The kids had a flight arranged through a travel agent, which included some transportation to and from the school in Rome on the first and last days. Again,any help that I can offer please feel free to ask. I know we had a ton of questions this time last year.
Temple sends a group of students each semester. Penn State is alloted about a third of the spots, although the fall semester rarely fills. I guess more kids would rather be there in the spring than in the fall and winter. I'm not sure of the exact amount of students Temple sends, but there are 5 spots open for visual arts that Penn State is alloted. Deb, as soon as he gets his official word, I'll definetly be in touch with questions if you don't mind.
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