ASA Policies
Participants’ physical and mental health can be affected by travel and new routines, foods, and cultural practices. Therefore, we recommend that all program participants enroll in a premium plan through CISI for the duration of the Molise Italian Studies program. Designed specifically for cultural exchange participants, the plan provides accident and sickness insurance, medical evacuation and repatriation, as well as security evacuations should they become necessary. The plan also includes a worldwide, 24-hour emergency telephone assistance service, offering multilingual medical, travel, and technical advice. Our on-site staff is available to accompany participants to doctor visits in severe cases. As with all insurance policies, there are some coverage exceptions, and coverage is provided for the duration of the SAI program only. See the CISI brochure for coverage details.
If you plan to extend your time abroad (and possibly wish to obtain visa), you may consider extending your coverage through CISI or purchasing Welcome Association Italy (WAI) Insurance (formerly known as INA-Assitalia), a low cost (€122) policy for major emergencies only.
Participant Awareness & Conduct
While Molise Italian Studies cannot guarantee an entirely risk-free environment, every effort is made to ensure the safety, security, and well-being of our participants throughout the duration of their time abroad. However, it is important to note that all program participants take responsibility for their own safety, security, and well-being while abroad. Pre-departure preparations and on-site orientations cannot replace good judgment. This means using common sense, being aware of one’s surroundings, and not putting oneself in compromising positions, particularly with regards to the use/abuse of drugs or alcohol. In short, while abroad participants should exercise the same precautions and habits of good judgment they follow in their home communities.
Participants are advised to, at all times:
- Act in a respectful manner towards the local population, its customs, and its culture.
- Be aware of surroundings and report strange activity to local authorities and on-site staff.
- Avoid crowds and demonstrations of all kinds, political or otherwise.
- Avoid drawing attention to themselves as internationals.
- Not share apartment addresses.
- Keep abreast of local news.
- Stay in touch with their families.
Participant Whereabouts
As part of our commitment to safety, Molise Italian Studies asks that all participants register with the nearest U.S. Embassy through the U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
Cell Phones
All participants are required to have a working cell phone number so that they can be reached in case of emergency. See the following options for cell phone use while in Italy:
- Bring your own smartphone and use your own U.S. provider’s international service plan (AT&T, Verizon, etc.)
- Bring your own unlocked smartphone and rent an international SIM card and data plan through another provider (Vodafone, TIM, WIND, etc.)
- Rent a smartphone and SIM card, along with a data plan, through another provider (Vodafone, TIM, WIND, etc.)
- Rent a basic handheld cell phone and SIM card, along with a simple talk & text plan, through another provider (Vodafone, TIM, WIND, etc.). This option offers no data capability, but students can supplement this with their own personal smartphone, using wifi only.
- *Please note: If you choose to rent or buy from another provider abroad (Vodafone, TIM, WIND, etc.), it is your responsibility to do your research and purchase the necessary items. Most who choose this option will save money, but must wait until they have arrived in Italy to make their purchase.
To save money, participants are also encouraged to use free wifi communication apps, such as WhatsApp, FaceTime, Google Voice, or Skype, as much as possible.
Program Evacuation/Cancellation
In the unlikely event that local or world conditions lead Molise Italian Studies to suspend or cancel a program term, every effort will be made to allow participants to complete their studies for the current term. The decision to suspend or cancel a program is made in conjunction with U.S. embassy and consular officials abroad. In the case of an evacuation, all staff and participants will leave the city/country as a group, if possible.
Financial consequences of a withdrawal are subject to the Molise Italian Studies Cancellation and Withdrawal Policy. If the U.S. Department of State orders U.S. participants out of Europe, an emergency refund will be considered. If an evacuation order is not made by the U.S. Department of State, but a participant chooses to leave the program anyway, s/he will not receive a refund; such a case is subject to the regular Molise Italian Studies refund policy.
U.S. Citizen Travel Resources
The following are important resources for monitoring the safety and security of U.S. citizen travel:
- Department of State, Travel Warnings and Consular Information Sheet for Italy
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Travel Health Notices
Flexibility, as always when abroad, will be important for both participants and program administrators. We will be working closely with local authorities and consular partners to make sure we are following the most up-to-date guidelines and procedures for COVID-19. We are constantly monitoring Italian entry regulations and physical distancing protocols, which are fluid and change often. In all cases, we defer to local regulations. Participants are asked to sign an updated Code of Conduct. As part of the Code of Conduct, we expect all participants to comply with any host country mandates and any imposed restrictions regarding health and safety. For more information, visit the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control, and United States Department of State.
In order to protect and respect the citizens of Molise, as well as your fellow participants, we do require that you receive a COVID vaccine prior to arrival in Molise. If there are exceptional circumstances, please contact Molise Italian Studies to discuss how to move forward.
Participants who have COVID-19 symptoms should immediately inform Molise Italian Studies staff, who will help them follow local guidance for testing and follow-up care, if needed. Participants testing positive for COVID would be subject to immediate quarantine in their accommodation or in separate accommodation if required. If someone in a shared accommodation tests positive for COVID-19 then the appropriate officials will be contacted and the correct quarantine steps put in place. If the person is very ill, they will go straight to the hospital. If they are well enough to stay at home they will be quarantined as well as other family members as required by the authorities. If needed we will utilize additional accommodation so participants can quarantine in private rooms. Meals and/or groceries would be arranged to be delivered in a safe and secure manner.
We will follow all local guidelines so that participants can safely participate in programs. While we don’t expect to cancel programs, it can happen. If the cancellation occurs prior to departure, we would encourage you to defer your program to a future time. If you choose, instead, not to complete the program, we will refund any recoverable costs. Otherwise, see our normal cancellation policy.
A visa is NOT required for participants staying in Italy for 90 days or less. If you plan to extend your time abroad beyond 90 days to do extra personal travel, you will need to obtain a visa prior to departure and a permit to stay upon arrival. We are happy to assist you with this process, but be sure to consult the specific consulate you plan to visit to confirm necessary documents and procedures, as requirements can be strict. For a list of Italian Consulates in the United States, click here. For Italian visa information, please visit the following website: www.esteri.it/visti/index_eng.asp
If you wish to do things like open a bank or postal account, buy or register a Vespa or other motor vehicle*, or sign contracts with utility companies (e.g. mobile phones, etc.), you will need to get a codice fiscale, an Italian tax code similar to a U.S. social security number (even though you may not be subject to Italian taxes).
It’s free and fairly easy to obtain. You will simply bring your passport to the Direzione Provinciale (provinical tax office) in Campobasso and fill out the form. We can assist you with this process.
* In order to drive in Italy you will need an International Driving Permit (and your regular driver’s license), available from AAA.
We are happy to assist with arranging airfare or organizing other travel plans upon request (may require an additional fee).
All Molise Italian Studies participants must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after departure from Italy. Be aware that the regular passport application process can take up to 2 months, so start your application as soon as possible (if you do not already have a passport). If you are applying late, you will need to use the expedited process, as you need a passport to be able to apply for your visa.
Once accepted to Molise Italian Studies, you will need to provide us with a copy of your passport.
U.S. students should visit the Department of State’s passport page for detailed requirements and instructions.
Acceptance & Enrollment
Participants are notified via email when their enrollment application is complete and accepted. Applications are reviewed only once they are complete. Notifications of acceptance are sent via email.
All accepted participants are required to submit confirmation and security deposits to confirm their intention to pursue the program. Deposits are due within 1 week (7 days) of acceptance. Upon receipt of deposits, participants receive an Enrollment Confirmation. Participants are advised not to make any other purchases related to the program (e.g. flights) before they have received an Enrollment Confirmation.
Deposits
Confirmation Deposit (non-refundable):
The confirmation deposit ($750) holds a participant’s place in the program, and the amount is deducted from the final program cost.
Security Deposit (refundable):
The security deposit ($250) is used to cover any charges incurred abroad, including housing damages and school fees. Security deposits, less any charges, are refunded within 90 days of program completion. Participants are invoiced for any charges that exceed the amount of the security deposit. Security deposit refunds are issued via a mailed check made out to the participant. In the event that a refund check must be re-issued, a $50 re-issue fee is deducted from the replacement check.
Molise Italian Studies Program Fee
After paying deposits, participants receive notification of their full program fee due date, which is 5 weeks (35 days) prior to the first day of the pre-departure course. For participants who are accepted after the due date, payment is due within five (5) business days of the participant’s acceptance.
Late Payments
Molise Italian Studies reserves the right to move an application to inactive or cancelled status if payment deadlines are not met. Participants may be held responsible for any costs already incurred by Molise Italian Studies on their behalf. Molise Italian Studies may impose a late payment fee on participants who wish to reactivate their applications.
Cancellation
Arrival day is considered the start of the program. The confirmation deposit is not refundable at any time. Further program cost liability is based on the date on which Molise Italian Studies receives a cancellation request. If a cancellation request is received 36 or more days before arrival day, a full refund is provided (minus the non-refundable confirmation deposit). If a cancellation request is received 35 days or less before check-in day, participants are liable for the following penalties:
- 35 days before the start of program – 1 day before the start of program: 50% of program fee
- Arrival day or after: 100% of program fee
Enrollment Deferment
Participants who have confirmed their enrollment with payment of program deposits may defer their enrollment to a future session that starts within one calendar year of the original term by submitting a non-refundable $300 deferment administrative fee. The deferral request must be received 61 days or more prior to the original program start date. Participants who subsequently cancel their enrollment for the new term are liable for the enrollment cancellation penalty of higher value (either the original or current term).
Refunds
Refunds are issued within 4 weeks of cancellation, in the same form the payment was made (check, credit card, or e-check). Refund checks are issued to the participant (unless requested otherwise), while credit card and e-check refunds are issued to the card used for the payment.
Withdrawal After Program Has Begun
Participants who must withdraw from Molise Italian Studies after the program has begun should follow these steps:
- Contact Molise Italian Studies staff to discuss the reasons for withdrawing and inform us of the exact date and time of departure.
- Complete the Molise Italian Studies Official Withdrawal Form.
- Turn in house key to host family (if applicable).
Participants who withdraw after the program has begun are not entitled to refunds, reimbursements or credit of any kind.
All participants in the Molise Italian Studies program are required to abide by all rules, regulations and procedures established by Molise Italian Studies and its partners. As a representative of your native country, your conduct abroad plays a significant role in the cross-cultural experience.
A successful program of immersive and transformative service learning includes:
- Immersing yourself in the Italian language as much as possible
- Immersing yourself in the local community–being respectful of the local culture and traditions, getting involved in community service events, etc.
- Active and regular participation in courses and academic activities
- Participating in cultural activities and excursions offered by Molise Italian Studies
- Being prepared and familiarizing yourself with your surroundings
Molise Italian Studies reserves the right to place a participant on probation and/or to dismiss a participant from the program on the basis of conduct that causes concern for the student’s safety and well-being or for the safety and well-being of others.