This document provides pre-departure information for students traveling to Siena, Italy for a study abroad program. It covers money matters like bringing some cash, informing banks of travel, and ATM usage. It also discusses bringing a small gift for the host family, arrival procedures at Pisa airport where staff will meet students, transportation to Siena by bus, and spending the first few days with orientation activities and the host family. Instructions are provided in case of travel delays or issues. Reminders include leaving passport copies, packing lightly, bringing enough medication, and submitting all required forms.

1. Pre-departure Information. Part 3:
‣ Money
‣ Host Family Gift
‣ Arrival Day in Italy
‣ First days in Siena
‣ If things do not go as planned...
‣ Reminders
Questions? info@sienaitalianstudies.com

2. Money
Euro Cash
We recommend you bring some euros in cash
(75-100 euros). This will be good to have for the
first few busy days in Siena.
Credit/Debit Cards
Inform your credit card companies and bank that
you will be traveling and for how long. That way
they will not block your cards due to suspicious
activity.
ATM
There are ATMs all over Siena and Italy. Please
check International withdrawal fees and limits
before departure.
Spending Money
There is a significant range for how much
spending money students should bring. Please
keep in mind that SIS programs are virtually all-
inclusive and spending money is for personal
travel, shopping, eating out, etc.

3. Money
Consider this:
• Credit/debit cards are NOT widely
accepted in Italy. Usually, small
shops (ie. gelateria, bakery, coffee
bars, etc.) will not take cards.
American Express is a NO.
• It’s a good idea to have more than
one way to retrieve money in case
one of your cards gets compromised.
• Bus trips cost about €8/hour of
travel. So, Siena-Rome takes about 3
hours and tickets are around €24.
• Keep in mind the exchange rates!

4. Host Family Gift
It is customary to bring a very
small gift for your host family.
Often students bring something that
represents their home town/city or
region. A typical food item; a small
photo calendar, etc.; book with
photos; something local or personal.
Another good idea is to bring a
small photo album of family,
friends, pets to share with your
family during the first days. It’s a
great way to connect despite any
language barriers.

5. Arrival Day in Italy
SIS Staff will be at
Pisa International Airport on…
Sunday, January 14
Students are supposed to arrive by
2:30pm. Staff will leave the airport
by 3:30pm.
Anyone arriving at different
airport/day MUST make individual
arrangements to reach Siena.

6. Arrival Day in Italy
After you land…
STEP 1: Customs and Passport Control
If you are flying from another Schengen country... You will go directly to the
baggage claim area. After you retrieve your luggage, please proceed towards the exit
through customs. Continue out the Exit unless a customs officer stops you.
If you are NOT flying from another Schengen country... You will proceed through
passport controls, and right after you will find the baggage claim area. After you
retrieve your luggage, please proceed towards the exit through customs. Continue out
the Exit unless a customs officer stops you.
STEP 2: Exit Customs and Proceed to Meeting Point
Once you exit into the terminal, look for SIS staff members with a sign that says
“MIKE MANCHESTER”.

7. Arrival Day in Italy
These guys will be there…
Mike Manchester
+39 (340) 766-7545
Andrea Cancelli
+39 (34) 968-0984

8. Arrival Day in Italy
After you land…
STEP 3:
Board Bus for Siena, Meet Host
Families
Once all students arrive, the group
will board the private bus and head
to Siena. Upon arrival in Siena,
students will meet host families.
Travel time Pisa-Siena is 2 hours
approx.

9. First days in Siena…
Day 1: Arrival
• Travel from Pisa to Siena.
• Afternoon and dinner with your host family.
• They will spoil you with food :)
• Rest!
Day 2: Orientation Day 1
• Get to meet classmates and staff.
• Explore Siena
• Activities all-day long.
Day 3: Orientation Day 2
• Meet the teachers.
• Italian placement lessons.
• Afternoon activities
*Official schedule will be given on the bus...

10. First days in Siena…
Please tell your families and friends
that you will be very busy during
your first few days in Siena and that
you won’t have a lot of time to email
them.
We will post updates on arrivals on
our Siena Italian Studies Facebook
Page...

11. If things don’t go as
planned
• In the event there are changes to your flight
itinerary, please keep us informed!
Christina Angelilli
(SIS Program Coordinator)
+39 (331) 486 4156
christina@sienaitalianstudies.com
• If your arrival into Pisa is severely delayed
and prevents you to ride the bus with us to
Siena, please carefully read: Getting to Siena.
• If your luggage gets lost, use this information
for delivery:
Siena Italian Studies (c/o your name)
Via Fontebranda 95. Siena 53100
tlf: 0577 058305 / +39 (331) 486 4156
(Specify that the school building is located within the city medieval walls.)

12. Reminders
Make sure to:
• Leave a copy of your Passport with your parents or someone
you trust.
• Pack light and wisely.
• Brush up your Italian!
• Bring your health insurance information. We’ll be collecting
that during orientation.
• If you are on prescribed medicine, bring enough for the entire
duration of the program!
• WRITE ALL SIS CONTACT INFORMATION!
• Submit ALL SIS forms:
✓Housing Questionnaire
✓Italian Placement Exam
✓Med Form
✓Permit of Stay Form

13. Siete pronti?