The Insurance

Recently I learned that I have to make sure my parents insurance covers me while I am abroad. Italy wants to cover their own butt but not allowing dead-beats with no insurance into the country. This process is also complicated. You must visit a special office within 8 days of arriving in Italy and show them a letter from your insurance company, that is also notoized, that you have alteast $50,000 in insurance. Just one more hoop to dive through.

The Visa

If you thought you had to jump through hoops to pay taxes or anything else that involves the government in the USA you should reconsider. Obtaining a Visa to the EU and more importantly Italy is far more challenging. The hoops you have to jump through to ensure that you wont be turned away the second you step off the plane are incredible. The consulate looks for three main points, 1) do you airfare, which basically means, when you want to leave can you leave 2) do you have a place to stay and 3) if you should get run over by a car do you have medical insurance to cover your bills. That all said, the forms you have to fill out to prove all if this are silly. Its like you need triple copies of everything. Im only a student, what do these people expect from me. But the worst part about the whole thing is I wouldnt even need a Visa but because I am staying in Italy for more then 90 days. If it was less then 90 days then i wouldnt need to do any of the stuff.

The Developments

I have two recent developments, first, I believe i have found an apartment. It is 700E a month which is pretty expensive in my opinion. All the Utilites are paid, so i guess that makes it not so bad. Also, it is in the north east section of Florence that is near a botanical gardens. That would be beautiful to live near. My only problem I have with this place is how far away from my college it is. I am not sure how far away it is but on a map I seems like a long walk. maybe ill get a bicycle. Second, I have to go meet with the Italian Consulate on Thrusday and sign papers for my Visa. This is an exciting process and I am very anxious about this semester abroad.

The Delema

These past few weeks I been trying to find an apartment in Italy. Right now I rent an apartment for $350 a month and the rents in Italy seem to be way way more rent for way way less stuff. Like 800 euros for a two room apartment. Yikes!! Someone told me I should just go over to Italy with no where to live and stay in hotels until I can find a place for reasonably cheap. These places on the internet are supposetly trying to rip you off.

The First

So, my name is Derrick, I am a Drake University student and I plan to study in italy next fall. I am very excited for the journey ahead of me. I am traveling with the Institute of Italian Studies. I find it funny that the more I read about Italy the more I wish I there. I read this book, Italians Dance and Im a Wallflower. Its all about the cultural differences between US and Italian culture. I suppose I am Just excited.