Plan II Rome Program - Next Offered Summer 2014
Program Details and Timeline, Rome 2009
Passport: For US Citizens a valid US Passport is required for entry into Italy. All applicants should apply for a passport now, do not wait until you are notified of admission to the program as application processing times can be long and you will need a valid passport in order to apply for a Visa to study in Italy (see below). For further information on obtaining a US Passport, visit the US Department of State website The fee for obtaining a new passport is $97; additionally we recommend that you request expedited service for an additional $60 fee (total $157) to ensure your passport application is processed in a timely manner.
Travel Visa: Students participating in the program must obtain a Visa from the Italian Consulate in Houston. In order to obtain the Visa students must apply in person at the Consulate in Houston. For further information concerning visas and entry requirements for Italy can be found on the Consulate’s website. The fee for a Visa is approximately $90.
Medical Insurance: All program participants will be required to show proof of medical insurance that is accepted overseas. If students are not covered by a policy that is accepted overseas, we recommend that students purchase a medical insurance plan through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI). The cost is $40; once enrolled students will receive an enrollment certification letter that can be used to show proof of insurance as required. For more information visit the CISI website.
Air Travel: Students will be responsible for making their own air travel arrangements at an estimated cost of $1,500. Additional details on recommended travel dates for the 2009 program TBA; the program will run the entire month of June 2009.
AIRC Headquarters: The AIRC Rome Center is located in the heart of Rome at Foro Traiano. The Rome Center acts as AIRC ’s administrative headquarters, and features a small but well-stocked research library and seminar space, an entrance lounge, and patio, as well as a WIFI hotspot and some computers for scholars to do research. Here we hold occasional seminar-style classes, exhibits, receptions and business meetings. It is an intimate place for scholars and visitors; you will not get lost in our halls, but you may bump into someone quite interesting here.
Housing: Housing will be in private apartments, most probably in Trastevere (across the Tiber, about 20-30 min. walk from Trajan’s Forum, and well connected to ground transportation). While not luxurious, they are comfortable and in the midst of an atmospheric neighborhood with easy access to shopping and restaurants. Usual apartment occupancy is two, with shared bedroom and bathroom. All apartments will have basic furnishing, linens, and kitchenware. No washers or dryers, and AC is unlikely. Each student will have his/her own keys and autonomy in the apartments, but like anywhere one must respect one’s roommates and neighbors. Basic maintenance and house cleaning is provided. Housing costs (including utilities) are included in AIRC program fees.
Ground Transfers: Since students are making their own travel arrangements and will arrive individually the AIRC will likely not able to pick everyone up from the airport, but will advise these participants on how to get from Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO) to downtown Rome and the apartments. The AIRC will arrange for cars and vans to meet groups of students arriving together to bring them to their housing in central Rome upon arrival. Inasmuch as permitted by departure times, transfers to the airport will also be provided. To facilitate ground transfers, selected participants may want to coordinate their travel plans.
AIRC Rome Study Center: The AIRC classroom , where we’ll hold most of our seminar meetings, and design studio are located on top of Trajan’s Forum, at the heart of imperial Rome. The facility has a spacious lecture room, seminar rooms and a computer laboratory for students, also used by design students for studio space. This location, too, is convenient to everything.
Textbooks: Students will need to purchase some books in the US before departure and bring them to Rome. There’ll also be a course packet and other materials; their cost is included in AIRC program fees.
Local Transportation: Participants will be issued a one-month pass for June for public transportation, incl. busses, metro and rail line to Ostia. The cost is included in AIRC program fees.
Cultural Outings (like museum and site visits): AIRC will arrange these outings as a major part of your classes; costs are included in AIRC program fees.
Meals: Special group meals such as the welcome and goodbye dinners, and one other communal dinner each week are included in program fees. However, for most meals food shopping and cooking is up to each program participant. Most people share the shopping and cooking with their roommates. Participants should plan to budget approximately $900 for meals. Some restaurants give discounts to AIRC members; restaurants are plentiful in Rome in every price range.
Cell Phone: A rental phone will be provided by AIRC when you arrive in Rome. The cost of the phone and activation is included in AIRC program fees, but students will have to cover usages charges (variable cost).
Program Timeline:
* Application Deadline - December 5, 2008
* Notification Deadline – January 20, 2009
* Pre-departure meeting for selected program participants (date TBA – early Feb. 2009)
* Co-op GOES Scholarship Deadline – February 15, 2009
* International Education Fee Scholarship Deadline – March 1, 2009
* Liberal Arts Council Study Abroad Scholarship Deadline – March 1, 2009
* Plan II Travel Grant Deadline – TBA (approx. Mid-March 2009)
* UT Fee Study Abroad portal access - $50, students will be billed in late February/early March and will have 10 days to pay before a bar
will appear on their record.
* Pre-departure meeting for selected program participants (date TBA – March 2009)
* Program Deposit Deadline – $500.00 non-refundable deposit due to AIRC (date TBD – March 2009)
* Pre-departure meeting for selected program participants (date TBA – April 2009)
* Program Fee Bill Deadline due to AIRC for Program Costs -$4800 – (date TBD - April 2009)
* UT Fee Bill Deadline - $400 due to Study Abroad Office for Affiliated Study Abroad Program – (date TBD – May 2009)
* Plan II Study Abroad Program in Rome (June 2009 – whole month)
NOTE: All fee payments are due in full by the deadlines noted. Participants who fail to pay fees by the stated deadlines will lose their place in the program.
