Chapter 8: Communication

E-Mail

Florence University of the Arts has a computer lab, and the whole building offers wireless technology. You will probably find that there is high demand for the lab computers, so bringing your laptop, if you have one, is a good idea.

If you don't have or want to bring a laptop, there's a good option: Florence has many internet cafes. Shop around for the best rates; they are generally reasonable. While you're traveling, you can e-mail from just about anywhere in Europe; internet cafes are common. They're also a great place to meet fellow-travelers. Just be careful; pickpockets like internet cafes, too.

Renting a Cell Phone

Your apartment will not be equipped with a phone. Because there are new students every semester, and because Italian phone bills are not itemized, it would be nearly impossible for students sharing a house phone to fairly divide their bills. For security reasons, and to ease communication between students, their families, and the Fairfield. program, we require that all students obtain a cell phone.

The link below will provide you with complete instructions, and an FAQ about Student Cells, where you can obtain a free cell phone and a reasonably-priced calling plan. Student Cells is located just steps away from our office and FUA. Please be sure to refer to the FAQ, which should answer any questions you may have.

Cell Phone Rental Information

NOTE: To call Italy from the US, you must dial 011-39 + phone number. To call the U.S. from Italy, dial 01+area code+phone number.

Emergency Contact Numbers

If for any reason a parent/relative needs to get in contact with you because of an emergency, they may either call our Florence office directly or send a fax:

Phone: 011-39-055-244-664
Fax: 011-39-055-226-4469

Please keep in mind that Italy is six hours ahead and the school is open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday. Give these numbers to family before leaving.

In Florence, you will be given an emergency phone number which you can use 24 hours per day to contact a member of our staff. This number is to be used in genuine emergencies only.

Public Pay Phones

You will find pay phones throughout the city. They are hard to miss because they are bright orange and say "Italia Telecom" on top of the booths. You can buy prepaid phone cards in many shops in Florence, and just follow the directions.

IMPORTANT: Do not purchase pre-paid phone cards in the United States that require you to make a call through a 1-800 or toll free number. These numbers are not accessible from Italy and are not toll free.

Receiving Mail

When you give people your mailing address in Florence, please use the address of the school instead of your apartment. If you use the address at your apartment, it may not reach you because you are a temporary resident. Have all mail addressed to you care of the school.

Example:

John Q. Smith
c/o Fairfield Florence Program
Florence University of the Arts
Via Magliabechi #1
50122 Firenze
Italia

==AIR MAIL==

Small Packages (letters, and things under 2 lbs.)

Advise your friends and family that when mail requires speedy delivery, we advise using FedEx or DHL. We do not recommend UPS. Be aware that items sent to you by Federal Express or DHL may be subject to very high import duties, particularly if they are insured for high sums. If parents want to send items this way, they should consider that students might end up paying more in duty than the item is worth. The contents of the package should be stated as USED (not new) and FOR PERSONAL USE. Gold, medicine, (including vitamins) cigarettes and cash cannot be sent. Also, if the insurance declaration is too high, there are extra duties to pay once the package gets to Florence (this applies to regular airmail, too.)

Large Packages

We don't advise that you send large packages to or from Italy. You will run into many difficulties as well as high costs. Any package you ship from Italy must be shipped in a box specially packed with specific materials. Don't expect to tape up a box and send it home. Airmail is very expensive, both to and from Italy. However, if you are willing to follow all the packing rules and endure a long wait, you might want to ship items home via surface mail. This is the slow method, and quite a bit cheaper. Ask at our office in Florence where you can get more information.

Please do not ship items to the school prior to your arrival. The school cannot provide storage for packages; neither can your landlord. You will have to bring everything with you when you arrive.

If you think you will be bringing home more than you came with, pack some extra collapsible bags. Make sure they close completely or have a lock that will prevent it from being opened too easily. Unfortunately, theft of items from luggage by airport personnel is not uncommon. If friends and family come to visit, you could also ask them to take home with them some of your purchases or items that you do not need.

Another reason to pack light is that you will be charged by your airline for overweight bags.

Sending Mail from Italy

Italy's mail system can be unpredictable. If you are lucky, a first-class letter from Italy will reach the United States in 2-3 weeks; if you are unlucky, six months. But that's been known to happen in the United States, too. To send regular letters home, make sure the address is clearly PRINTED on the envelope and completely sealed. Make sure to indicate UNITED STATES and AIRMAIL on the front and back of the envelope.

You can purchase stamps or francobolli at newspaper stands or kiosks in Florence. There is no need to go to a post office to purchase them as you would in the United States. You should buy your francobolli by the lire, not by the number of stamps.