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Where is Apicius located?
An urban institute, Apicius is in the historic center of Florence, within walking distance of such landmarks as the Duomo Cathedral, the open market, and the Ponte Vecchio. The school's administrative building is at San Gallo 47r. The second facility is located a few blocks away on Via Guelfa 85.
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Are classes taught in English?
Apicius is an international school. All courses are taught in English, except Italian language (immersion style for English-speakers) and others marked "in Italian" as listed in the Catalog and Class Schedules.
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What is the cost of living in Florence?
The cost of living in Florence is similar to that of a U.S city.. A cappuccino is about $1.50, and fruits and vegetables are perhaps a little less expensive in Italy (especially if you buy them in the open market) than in a U.S. city. Telephones are more expensive in Italy, as is energy in general (gas, electricity, gasoline). If you cook in your own house you can live relatively cheaply. Italian Consulates expect you to have about $700 per month for your stay in Italy, and this is a good estimate of the basic living cost. |
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FALL / SPRING SEMESTER
(Costs may vary due to fluctuation in Euro/Dollar rate) |
| Application |
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= $80 |
| Security deposit: |
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$300 (refundable at end of term)
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= $300 |
| Rent |
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$3100 (double occupancy room) |
= $4000 |
| Tuition (depending on exact program selected) |
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See costs page for additional information |
= $7300 |
| Student Services Fee : |
= $950 |
| Food: |
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4 months @ $11253500 / month |
= $4500 |
| Travel in Italy: |
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4 months @ $250 / month |
= $1000 |
| Personal: depending on habits |
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4 months @ $200 / month |
= $800 |
| Books: |
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$80 (depends on courses selected) |
= $80 |
| Lab Fees: |
400Euros for block programs or 100Euros per class per free elective class that has a lab fee (paid in Florence) |
= 400Euro |
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SUMMER SESSION
(Costs may vary due to fluctuation in Euro/Dollar rate) |
| Application |
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1 term @ $75 |
= $80 |
| Security deposit: |
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$300 (refundable at end of term) |
= $300 |
| Rent: |
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$1275 (double occupancy room) |
= $1275 |
| Tuition (depending on exact program selected) |
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1 term @ two courses |
= $3225 |
| Student Services Fee:$800 |
= $800 |
| Food: |
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1 month @ $1125/ mo. |
= $1125 |
| Travel in Italy: |
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1 month @ $250/ month |
= $250 |
| Personal: depending on habits |
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1 month @ $200 / mo. |
= $200 |
| Books: |
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$50 (depends on courses selected) |
= $50 |
| Lab Fees: |
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100- 300 Euro depending on courses selected (paid in Florence) |
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Can I get a scholarship or other financial aid?
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Study Abroad Italy is pleased to offer scholarships each academic year. These scholarships are open to all Study Abroad Italy participants who meet the eligibility requirements.
All students submitting scholarship applications are considered for all scholarships that apply to their enrollment, and therefore do not have to specify a particular scholarship. Candidates who meet the scholarship criteria and program requirements will have their entire application reviewed by an independent selection committee.
Candidates who meet the scholarship criteria and program requirements will have their application reviewed by an independent selection committee. Awards are announced two weeks after the application deadline. Incomplete or late applications will not be processed. To view and/or print the SAI Scholarship Application see: Study Abroad Italy Scholarship Application
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Two $6,000 Scholarships; Chiara Scholarships
Need and merit based scholarships offered for the Fall and Spring semesters. The recipient will receive $6,000, applied towards Program Cost. |
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Generously offered to SAI students by the Chiara family in support Italy and its heritage. It is their desire to offer an educational experience of studying in Italy to deserving students with evident financial need. |
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Two $1000 Tuition Scholarships |
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SAI and Apicius together offer this need and merit based scholarship in both Fall and Spring Semesters. |
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. There is also a scholarship offered through the James Beard Foundation. Further information can be found at www.jamesbeard.org. |
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Can I get a job in Italy?
Technically, you are not permitted to work as a foreign student in Italy. For this reason, the school cannot help you to secure work. |
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How do I receive mail in Florence?
Even though you may be in your own apartment, your name is not likely to be on the mail box and we recommend that you have all mail sent to you at the school. Your mail should be addressed as:
Student Name
c/o Apicius International School of Hospitality
Via Guelfa 85
50129 Firenze, Italia |
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What is the exchange rate for the Euro?
The exchange rate fluctuates daily. For exact current figures, you may go to an Internet Currency Converter. |
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How should I handle money while abroad?
We suggest that you arrive with enough traveller's checks to pay for your initial costs (rent, immediate food, books and supplies, etc.). After that it may be best to use your ATM card, withdrawing money from your US account as needed. ATM cards are probably the easiest way to handle money; there are plenty of compatible ATM's in Florence. Check with your bank to ensure that your PIN number is valid in Europe. When planning major expenditures (such as rent), remember that you will have the same daily withdrawal limit (about $300) as at home. ATMs in Florence have instructions in English.
Once you have budgeted for your time abroad, figure about $150 more per month in case of an emergency. You will want easy access to this total amount in the form of cash Euro. There are three basic ways of getting cash Euro in Italy: traveler's checks, Automated Teller Machine cards, and credit cards.
Traveler's checks in U.S. dollars are widely accepted. In Europe, US traveler's checks often get a better exchange rate than plain cash. American Express traveler's checks can be cashed anywhere, but AmEx cashes them without a commission. The American Express office in Florence is located at: Via Dante Alighieri, 20-22. It is open M-F 9am-5:30pm and on Sat from 9am-12:30pm. It is also possible to have money wired to you at this office.
Visa and Master Charge are universally accepted; American Express and Diners Club less so; Discover not at all. The exchange rate is good, there are no transaction fees. Using your credit card at ATM's to take a cash advance will work if you have a valid PIN number. You may also request a cash advance on your credit card by walking into the bank. |
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What is the best map/guide for Florence?
Most good bookstores have maps of European countries and cities. Excellent maps are also available in travel guides such as "Let's Go Italy" and "Lonely Planet". In addition to maps, these guides will provide you with invaluable information regarding inexpensive restaurants, hotels, and museum and travel suggestions. |
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Is there local transportation?
In the historic center of Florence everything is within walking distance; the farthest points would only be a 30 minute walk. However, Florence's transportation system is easy and efficient when you need to go outside of the center (e.g. Fiesole).
Buses generally run from 6am - 1am, with schedules varying by route. Tickets must be bought before boarding and validated automatically on board, or you will have to pay a fine of about $100. Tickets cost about $1.00 for 1 hour or $1.25 for 2 hours. You can get a bus map at the ATAF office outside the station. Bus tickets can be purchased at newspaper stands, tobacco shops ("Tabacchi") and some cafes. |
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Bike and Moped Rental:
Via S. Zanobi, 9 (tel 49.01.13) Bikes start at about $2.00 per hour or about $13.00 per day; Mopeds start at about $6.00 per hour and about $25.00 per day or about $125 per week. No license is required but you must be 18 or over - bring ID. |
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Is Florence a safe city?
Florence poses no special threat to visitors in either health or safety. It is perfectly safe to drink water from a faucet and to eat at any restaurant. As elsewhere in Italy, pickpockets are a menace, especially in crowds, on buses, and near the train station. Fanny packs and purses are easy prey to thieves. Women traveling alone will draw attention from Lothario-types, and walking alone after dark should be avoided (take a Taxi). |
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Should I bring my laptop computer? What about computers and internet access?
You should feel free to bring your laptop computer with you to Italy. Make certain you know that it can handle the different electrical current in Italy (220V). Bear in mind that if you plan to use your laptop for Internet connection, telephone charges (which are very expensive), will apply.
Wireless internet access is also provided at all of the schools and each also has a computer lab for student use. Many apartments offer internet for an additional monthly charge, and SAI students may also rent a wireless "modem" Student Free Move www.studentfreemove.com which can be used to access the internet from any location.
* This service is currently not available to students studying in Rome or Sicily.
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Can non-US students enroll?
Yes. Apicius is an international institute catering to students from all over the world. The presence of students of many nationalities stimulates a cultural exchange and contributes to the development of a more complete artistic sensitivity, enriching the academic. |
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What will the weather be like?
Spring Term
The winter weather in Florence is cold, especially starting in late January through much of March. As on the East Coast of the U.S., you will need an overcoat, scarf, hat and woolen undergarments. Snow falls rarely in Florence -- once or twice during the winter. April and May can be rainy months with mild temperatures.
Fall Term
September and October are very mild and warm months. In fact, September is a favorite time to go swimming in the sea, since the water and air temperatures are quite warm. The weather cools as Tuscany moves toward December, with a jacket usually required in November and a little warmer clothing in December. There are usually rains in November and December.
Summer Term
June is a transitional weather month in Tuscany. It can be either very pleasant or intermittently rainy and cool. It is a warm month for Southern Italy. July and August can be quite warm, 80 - 100 degrees Fahrenheit. August is the warmest month of the year, and Florence can be humid at that time. For precisely this reason, most Italians have the month of August off for vacation, and the beaches of the Mediterranean and Adriatic are filled with European vacationers. |
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What about phones in Florence?
Study Abroad Italy provides free rental cell phones for all students. As no student apartments have phone lines, cell phones allow school advisors and family members to contact students at any time. Students are automatically assigned a cell phone upon registration. It is not necessary to reserve a cell phone in advance.
A cell phone is provided at no charge, and there is no charge for incoming calls and text messaging received while in Italy. If a student opts to use the cell phone to make outgoing calls and/or text messages, relevant charges will be billed to the student’s credit card twice a month, and will appear as “Student Cells” on the credit card statement. Student Cells are provided at discounted rates.
• Students must present a credit card (Visa or Master Card) when picking up their cell phone
• Students are responsible for any damages to, or loss of, the cell phone.
• Students are responsible for the payment of all eventual phone calls by third parties, which occured due to theft, or loss of the cell phone from the time the phone is lost or stolen, up until the time the rental agent is notified.
• One month before the start of the term, students will receive instructions via email on picking up their cell phone in Italy.
• Two weeks before the start of the term, students will receive their assigned cell phone number via email.
Billing
If your credit card charges are “denied”, Student Cells will notify you via email and you will be asked to provide a new credit card number within 5 days. If you do not provide a new number, your phone line will be turned off. If your final cell phone billing is “denied,” Study Abroad Italy will place a “Hold” on your transcript until payment is received*. In this case, payment must be made to Student Cells, Inc. in the form of a Cashier's Check to cover your outstanding balance and release your transcript. Please mail outstanding payments to: Student Cells, Inc., 7151 Wilton Avenue, Suite 202, Sebastopol, CA 95472
Students who opt not to use their cell phone for outgoing calls should consider using a calling card. For local calls within Italy or for International calls, an Italian calling card can be purchased at any “Tabacchi" shop in Italy. A reliable brand is “USA Phone Card.” The card costs 5 Euro and gives you 2.5-3 hours of talk time. The phone cards work from any public or landline phone.
* Withheld transcripts for outstanding balances on cell phone accounts will not be released until accounts are paid in full.
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Can Apicius store advance shipments of my belongings?
We recommend that you do not ship your belongings to Florence unless you will be there to receive them. Apicius has no facility to store shipments. The best approach is to have your belongings shipped to arrive after you have settled into your Florence apartment. |
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Will I need a VISA? How do I get one?
Students enrolled in semester programs must apply for their visa at the Italian Consulate having jurisdiction over their area of residence. If you are applying through the Italian Consulate in Miami you must obtain your visa application from our office in California. This will permit you to apply for your visa by mail, otherwise the consulate will require that you appear in person. This procedure applies to the Miami consulate only. In order to assure a timely processing of visas, the student (or their parents on their behalf) should come to the Consulate as early as possible but no sooner than three months prior to the Program's initiation. We strongly recommend that students DO NOT wait until the holiday period (Thanksgiving/Christmas/Hanukkah/Easter and so on) to go to the Consulate. Not only can the wait be lengthy, it also makes the turnaround time for visa issuance longer than usual. Those people who live in areas that are hard to reach may leave a self addressed stamped envelope with the consulate at the time of the application (US priority mail, FedEX, etc.), and they will send the passport back with the visa stamp inside.The visa will not be issued the same day. Most nationalities can be granted their visa in 48 hours; for some nationalities however a three-week period is required for processing.We will provide the necessary letter of acceptance for the student in order to complete the visa application process. Your visa will be issued only for the length of time you are enrolled at Apicius.To find more information about the Italian Consulate in your jurisdiction please check the Italian Consulate web page: www.italyemb.org
Procedure for applying for a Permesso di Soggiorno (Residence Permit)
Upon arrival in Italy students must obtain a "Permesso di Soggiorno", or residency permit, from the local police authorities. A student Visa is required to obtain this permit and all students must have a Permesso di Soggiorno while studying at Apicius. Please arrive in Italy with the following documents:- 3 passport sized photos. The photos must be identical and must be signed from the front lower right hand corner to the top right hand corner.
- 3 photocopies of your passport
- 3 photocopies of your student visa- All documentation which you presented to the Italian Consulate or Embassy. This should include a bank statement, financial guarantee, and health insurance information. These documents should be given back to you with a stamp, seal or even possibly a letter from the Italian consulate which states that you presented the information there. PLEASE NOTE THAT WITHOUT EITHER THE CONSULATE LETTER, STAMP OR SEAL, IT WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE TO APPLY FOR YOUR PERMIT. SO DO MAKE SURE TO INSIST ON RECEIVING THIS FROM THE CONSULATE OR EMBASSY.Once in Italy you will need to purchase INA ASSITALIA health insurance. This can be done at the local post office and your advisor will explain the procedure at orientation. |
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What furnishings will be in my apartment?
Apartments are supplied with bedding and linens, basic cooking supplies and furnishings. Apartments vary from 1 to 6 bedrooms, sharing bathrooms, a living room and kitchen. |
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Is Apicius accredited?
Established in 1996 as an international school, Apicius is not accredited in the US. Apicius is authorized in Italy with the Decreto del Ministero della Pubblica Istruzione. |
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Are there group flights?
Each student must make their own travel arrangements. Study Abroad Italy has arranged with Waldorf Travel of California to offer Apicius students the lowest available student priced tickets. You will find these ticket prices to match or be lower than any other student priced fares available. When ordering your tickets notify the agent that you are attending Apicius. Since the number of student priced tickets are limited, contact Waldorf Travel as soon as possible to make your arrangements.We recommend flying into the Florence airport. To do this requires transfering flights in another European city, but is well worth the convenience once you arrive. Pisa airport would be a second choice, since trains leave regularly from the Pisa airport and arrive in downtown Florence 45 minutes later. Arriving in Rome may save a bit on airfare but requires roughly a half day to make your way to Florence by train. The same is true about arriving in Milan.We suggest you arrive in Italy with $200 dollars already converted to Euro, in order to pay for a taxi, train, food or other immediate needs. Since students should have already made arrangements with their landlord regarding the time and date of their arrival, you can take a taxi from the airport directly to your housing. This will cost roughly the equivalent of $20 US, and if you do not speak Italian you can hand the driver a written address.
For airline ticketing contact:
Waldorf Travel Service
5316 SE Sherman Street
Portland, OR 97215
TEL: 800-328-7266-TOLL FREE
FAX: 503-232-7224
E-mail: info@waldorftravel.com |
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Can I arrange an airport pickup?
SAI offers airport pick-up and transportation on set arrival days for all academic students.
For students not arriving on the move in date, there is an option for an airport pickup service for about 80 Euro, payable to the driver. To make the arrangements, contact our office at least three weeks in advance and give your arrival time, flight number and airline. The other options is to take a taxi to their home or apartment, or to their apartment agency. From the Florence airport, cab fare should not exceed 30 Euro and will generally be more like 20 Euro - all taxis are metered. Students with no knowledge of Italian can show their driver the destination address written on a paper.
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Does Apicius offer excursions or field trips?
Yes there are several optional fieldtrips offered each fall, spring and summer session. |
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