Università per Stranieri di Siena
www.unistrasi.it
WELCOME GUIDE FOR ERASMUS STUDENTS
Ufficio Mobilità
Dr. Elisa Trastullo
Piazza Carlo Rosselli 27-28
53100 Siena (Italy)
Tel. +39 0577 240217
Fax +39 0577 240148
CONTENTS
1. THE UNIVERSITY FOR FOREIGNERS OF SIENA
2. EILC (ERASMUS INTENSIVE LANGUAGE COURSES)
3. HOW TO GET TO SIENA
4. REGISTRATION
5. HOW TO GET AROUND IN TOWN
6. ACCOMMODATION
7. MEALS
8. HEALTH CARE
9. HOW MUCH IS IT?
10. HELLO, WHO’S SPEAKING?
11. PUBLIC OFFICES
• POST OFFICES
• BANKS
• POLICE HEADQUARTERS
• PERMIT OF STAY
• MUNICIPAL OFFICES
• INFORMATION AND TOURIST OFFICES
• MEDICAL SERVICES
12. LEISURE
• SPORT ACTIVITIES
• CINEMAS
• THEATRES
• MUSIC
• MUSEUMS
• EVENTS
13. USEFUL NUMBERS
• EMERGENCIES
• PHARMACIES
14. EMBASSIES
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1. THE UNIVERSITY FOR FOREIGNERS OF SIENA
The University for Foreigners of Siena, now located in a brand new building just in front of the train station, is a public institution with a special mandate for undertaking research and instruction in the fields of Italian language and culture.
Teaching and research activities at the University for Foreigners of Siena are carried out by the Faculty of Italian Language and Culture, the Department of Humanities, the Department of Languages and Cultures Sciences, the Language Centre and the Centre for Certification in Italian as a Foreign Language (Cils).
The University for Foreigners of Siena provides courses for both university students and language teachers. In addition to traditional courses in language and culture, offered in an innovative range of combinations, the University of Siena for Foreigners awards a university degree, specialist degrees, and confers specialised postgraduate degrees and research doctorates.
The University for Foreigners of Siena, with its long-standing experience in the fields of linguistics and language teaching, also provides further training for Italian and foreign teachers of Italian as a foreign language. In Siena and abroad, the University offers training, refresher courses and advanced courses for Italian language teachers.
These programmes are constantly updated and revised in order to include developments and trends in linguistic research and language teaching.
To effectively fulfil its mandate on an international level, the University for Foreigners of Siena works closely with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education, Universities and Research. At both national and international levels, the University for Foreigners of Siena promotes cultural links with other universities, cultural institutions and research bodies, collaborating with professionals in the areas of culture and scientific research abroad.
University for Foreigners of Siena offices opening times
Erasmus Office Monday to Friday 10.30-13.00-Tuesday and Thursday 14.00-15.30
Management Office Monday to Friday 10.30-13.00-Tuesday and Thursday 14.00-15.30
Information Office Monday to Friday 10.30-13.00-Tuesday and Thursday 14.00-15.30
Library Monday to Friday 8.30-18.30
2. EILC (ERASMUS INTENSIVE LANGUAGE COURSES)
GENERAL INFORMATION
The European Commission, in accordance with the Erasmus Action of the LLP Program promotes the Erasmus Intensive Language Courses (EILC) every academic year.
The Erasmus Intensive Language Courses (EILC) are specialised courses in less widely used and less taught languages organised in the countries where these languages are spoken. EILC take place in the following 23 countries: Belgium (Flemish Community), Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden and Turkey.
The EILC give Erasmus students visiting these countries for studies and placements the opportunity to study the language concerned for two to six weeks (with a minimum of 60 teaching hours in total, and at least 15 teaching hours a week) with the aim of being prepared for the Erasmus mobility period abroad.
Participating students do not have to pay any kind of tuition fee. The National Agency/home institution may award a supplementary Erasmus grant for the duration of the course. In return, students will be asked to contribute to the evaluation of the courses and of their impact on their academic studies.
EILC IN SIENA
The University for Foreigners of Siena is one of the two organizer institutions in Italy.
Each EILC course will be organised for two levels (level 1: beginner – level 2: intermediate) and will take place in two different sessions (in the summer and in the winter period).
Official University for Foreigners of Siena EILC dates 2012/2013:
6-31 August 2012
3-26 September 2012
7-31 January 2013
4-28 February 2013
More information on the EILC pages on our web site:
http://www.unistrasi.it/264/664/EILC.htm
The approximate number of foreign students who attends EILC courses in Italy every year is 350 per organising institution (total Italy: 700).
Please note that the application does not automatically entitle the student to participate in an EILC. The organising institution will carry out selection of students and inform each applicant and his/her home university of the final selection. It is not possible to attend more than one EILC.
EILC courses should be attended BEFORE the Erasmus period.
The application procedure is ON-LINE on the following link:
http://online.unistrasi.it/eilc_application.asp
application deadline:
- August and September Eilc courses is 1st June 2012;
- January and February Eilc courses is 31st October 2012.
Detailed information on the courses on offer are available at our web site, as well as on the European Commission site (General Management Education and Culture):
http://ec.europa.eu/education/erasmus/doc902_en.htm.
3. HOW TO GET TO SIENA
By land:
From the North:
A1 autostrada Milano-Firenze, exit Firenze Certosa, link road SS 2 Superstrada Siena-Firenze (km 68) or SS 222 Chiantigiana da Firenze (km 72)
From the South:
A1 autostrada Roma-Firenze, exit Valdichiana, link road SS 326 Bettolle-Siena (km 240)
By bus:
From the North:
From Pisa airport to Siena (hours 11.00 and 17:30). The ticket costs about € 14,00 (info: http://www.sienamobilita.it/sienapisa.html).
From Florence ask for “Siena rapida” service. It takes 1 hour and 15 minutes: for information Siena Mobilità: Tel. +39 0577 204246 - www.trainspa.it. The bus station is very close to the railway station. The ticket costs about € 7.00.
From the South:
From Rome the bus leaves from Stazione Tiburtina. It takes 3 hours. The ticket costs € 23,00.
For information SENA 800 – 930960 or +39 0577 283203 - http://www.sena.it/Orari-Autobus/51-1.html
By train
From the North:
From Florence, Firenze S. Maria Novella station and line Firenze-Empoli-Siena.
From the South.
Roma Termini station, line Roma-Chiusi-Siena.
For information www.trenitalia.com
Customer care service 06/3000 Railways information 800 892021.
The University for Foreigners of Siena is just in front of the railway station. The railway station is about 2 km far away from the city centre and it takes 5 minutes to get there by bus; city buses nr. 3, 8, 10, 17, 77 (Stazione-Piazza del Sale), n. 17 (Piazza del Sale-Stazione).
By air
Milano Malpensa Tel. +39 02 74852200 www.sea-aeroportimilano.it
Roma Fiumicino “Leonardo da Vinci” Tel. +39 06 65951 www.adr.it
Pisa “Galileo Galilei” Tel. +39 050 849111 www.pisa-airport.com
Firenze Peretola “Amerigo Vespucci” Tel. +39 055 30615 www.aeroporto.firenze.it
4. REGISTRATION
Your home University must send to the Erasmus and International Mobility Office of the University for Foreigners of Siena your personal data (name, address), in order to submit you the application form, which has to be filled out and returned to us by fax or ordinary mail.
The deadlines are the following:
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· for the 1st semester: July 15th
· for the 2nd semester: December 15th
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Upon arrival, present yourself to the Erasmus Office of the Università per Stranieri di Siena’s front office (opened Monday through Friday 10.30-13) with a copy of your Passport or ID and two passport-size photographs to complete your application.
Orientation sessions for incoming students will be organized:
- by first week of October for first term and whole academic year;
- by first week of March for second term.
Dates, times and meeting point will be communicate before the beginning of each term.
FISCAL CODE
Your fiscal code identifies you in your relationships with institutions and public administrations. It is therefore required when opening a bank account, drawing up a contract for employment or rent, or buying a SIM card.
Your fiscal code is only valid if issued by the Agenzia delle Entrate in Viale Europa n.67/6 (tel. 0577 56121, fax. 0577 561204, e-mail: ). There is also an office in the centre of town, near Piazza del Campo: Via Banchi di Sotto, 52 (Palazzo Piccolomini) - Opening hours: Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Tuesday and Thursday: also 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
5. HOW TO GET AROUND IN TOWN
Siena is a small town. It is possible to cross the centre by foot. Town buses, as well as private cars, are not allowed to cross the historical centre, except for “Pollicino” – minibuses – which connect peripheral parking sites with the centre. If you want to reach peripheral areas or the countryside, the cheapest and fastest way is to go by bus (orange colour). Tickets are available at newsagent’s, tobacconist’s and at the TRA.IN office and cannot be purchased directly on the bus.
For information TRAIN +39 0577 204111 www.trainspa.it.
If you are in a hurry or in case of emergency you can call a taxi.
Radio taxi +39 0577 49222 - Taxi merci +39 0577 289044.
Several parking areas are distributed all around the historical centre just at the outskirts of the town, which offer the possibility to reach the centre by minibuses.
For information contact “Siena Parcheggi” Tel. +39 0577 228711.
6. ACCOMMODATION
The University for Foreigners of Siena is able to help all incoming Erasmus students to find a suitable accommodation, in order to satisfy all their different needs.
The University for Foreigners of Siena offers some rooms in a very recent building: Villa il Pino is located in a green and peaceful area, 15 min. by bus from the city centre and 10 min. from the University.
The entire complex consists of three buildings and offers single, double and triple rooms, one quadruple room, and miniapartments all with private bathroom with shower and kitchenette. Some places are available in Students’ residences and dormitories located in different areas of the city, but mainly in the city centre.
Starting next June will be activate on our University web site a new housing research link where you can find several kinds of accommodation offers: the activation starting date and the link will be communicate by next weeks.
For information please contact our Housing Service:
Piazza Carlo Rosselli, 27/28 – 53100 Siena
Tel. +39 0577 240104 – Fax +39 0577 240148 – E-mail
7. MEALS
Students enrolled at the University for Foreigners may eat at the University canteens:
Ristorante “Sallustio Bandini” - Via Sallustio Bandini, 47
Monday – Friday lunch 12.00 – 14.30, dinner 19.00 – 21.15;
Ristorante “S. Agata” Via S. Agata, 1
Monday – Sunday, lunch 12.30 – 15.00, dinner 19.30-21.30
The cost of a meal:
€ 4,00 (Main Course + Second course + side order + fruit or dessert or yogurt + bread + beverage)
€ 3,00 (Main Course + side order + fruit or dessert or yogurt + bread + beverage)
€ 3,50 (Second course + side order + fruit or dessert or yogurt + bread+ beverage).
8. HEALTH CARE
Any citizen of a EU country has the right to medical treatment, both urgent or necessary in exactly the same way as all Italian citizens.
Citizens from member countries of the European Union on a temporary stay abroad in Italy (for reason of study, tourism or work) must have one of the forms for medical assistance in Italy issued by the country of origin: the European Union card (TEAM) or its temporary substitute certificate (CTRF).
Students from member countries of the European Union
In order to make use of the services offered by the National Health Service they must register with the facility (hospital, first aid, general practitioner) by showing the TEAM card or the temporary substitute certificate.
Students from countries that do not belong to the European Union must remember that no official treaties exist as regards coverage of medical costs. They must take out an international insurance policy which covers all medical costs in the case of medical treatment or hospital stays which must be validated by the consulate.
An alternative procedure may be to take out a policy in Italy, which includes coverage for urgent hospital stays: you can ask for more information about at the Erasmus Office. Health insurance is a fundamental requirement in order to obtain a stay permit.
9. HOW MUCH IS IT?
Budget: purely as an indication, here are the principal expenses you will incur during your stay in Siena (prices are approximate):
Canteen (per meal) € 3.00/ € 3.50/ € 4.00
Breakfast at bars € 2.50
City-bus ticket € 1,10
A newspaper € 1.10
Cinema € 7.50
Disco € 20.00
A piece of pizza € 1.50
A meal in pizzeria € 20.00
A meal at a fast food or spaghetti house € 10.00
10. HELLO, WHO’S SPEAKING?
The city code for Siena is 0577.
To call a number in Italy from abroad, first dial the country access code (+39), the city code and finally the number of the receiver.
To call your country from Italy, first dial 00, then the code for your country, the city code and the number.
Public telephones are indicated by a Telecom sign and can be operated with phone cards € 1.00, 2.50, 5.00 and 7.50. Cards are available at airports, railways stations, newsagents, post offices, bars.
11. PUBLIC OFFICES
POST OFFICES
Post offices are open from 8.15 to 13.30 from Monday to Friday; Saturdays 8.15 –12.30. At the main office in Piazza Matteotti some services are available until 19.00 and Saturdays until 12.30.
BANKS
Banks are normally open from 8.30 to 13.30 and from 14.30 to 16.00, Monday to Friday.
If you wish to open a bank account, it is first necessary to have a tax code, which can be obtained at the Agency for Direct Taxation called “Uffici Finanziari Sezione Staccata di Siena” (Via Banchi di Sotto, 52 – Palazzo Piccolomini). To the chosen bank branch you must produce the following documents:
• Identity card or passport
• Permit of stay
• Tax code
• Erasmus Certificate or certificate issued by the University for Foreigners of Siena.