Frequently Asked Questions About Studying Abroad in Tuscany During Fall 2021

The University carefully monitors developments in close cooperation with various offices on the local, national, and international level such as the CDC, U.S. State Department, International SOS, the Italian government and Italian health authorities. We will continue to monitor all these important measures as we get closer to Fall and will continue to provide updates and answer questions about the COVID-19 risks in our regular online meetings with students and parents.

We want to provide the very best study abroad experience for each of you. If we feel that your health is at risk beyond our ability to reasonably mitigate that risk or that we can no longer provide an optimal experience for you, we reserve the right to modify, cancel or evacuate the program as needed.

While we are unable to predict with certainty whether the program will be modified or cancelled, the increasing availability of a vaccine in 2021 makes the semester more likely. Be assured that we are monitoring the situation closely and will maintain communication with all applicants as conditions evolve.

If the Fall 2021 study abroad program in Prato is cancelled, the Office of Residential Life will work diligently to assign students to main campus University housing on a space available basis. The Residential Life team will work closely with students as we seek to assign them to housing based upon the vacancies available at that time.

Please go to this page and click the "Apply Now" button. If you have any questions about the process, please contact the Office of Study Abroad.

If you have started an application for a past semester, contact the Office of Study Abroad (studyabroad@newhaven.edu) to discuss if your application can be moved to the future semester (Fall 2021 or Spring 2022).

• Orientation & Welcome Session (Online): Saturday, 21 August
• Classes start online (from U.S.): Monday, 23 August
• Depart JFK Airport: Wednesday, 8 September
• Arrive in Prato: Thursday, 9 September
• Onsite Orientation: Thursday-Saturday, 9-11 September
• Prato classes resume in person: Monday, 13 September
• Fall Break: Sunday-Tuesday, 17-19 October
• Thanksgiving Break: Thursday, 24 November
• Final in-person day of Prato classes: Thursday, 2 December
• Depart Italy: Friday, 3 December
• Final Exams Week (Online): Thursday-Wednesday, 9-15 December

No. Because the residential component of the Tuscany Campus Fall semester has been modified to be under 90 days in length, students will not need a student visa. This also constitutes a cost saving for students.

All students will need to have is a U.S. passport that is valid for at least 6 months after the return home (June 2022). In addition to that, students will be provided with several letters supporting the goal of their stay in Italy.

While we seek to encourage all students to study abroad, in the interests of students' health and safety the University requires that students who would like to study at the Tuscany Campus in Fall 2021 be fully vaccinated before departure. This will help safeguard student health and the success of the academic components of the semester. Furthermore, during the next few months, governments abroad and the EU European Community will probably release specific plans for vaccine requirements for international travelers, including the Green Digital Certificate which will be adopted by EU nations starting in mid-June.

While we would love to encourage everyone to study abroad, if you belong to a group that is at high-risk for COVID-19 complications, we encourage you to postpone your study abroad experience. While Italy's medical system is one of the best in the world and our staff would be happy to support you to the extent they are able, we anticipate that it would be very difficult for you and your loved ones should you be high-risk and fall ill while abroad. Fortunately, most students are not in a high-risk group, due to age and other factors. However, we recommend that you check with your doctor before committing to travel, especially if you have any pre-existing conditions.

Your Prato classes will all start online the same week as all main campus and online courses, the week of Monday, 23 August.

You will be given an online orientation and welcome session before classes start, on Saturday 21st August, during which you will meet each other, and all the Tuscany Campus staff and instructors.

Your professors in Italy and the U.S. (if you are taking any synchronous online courses) might meet on Fridays. Your professors in Italy might also schedule special mandatory trips to museums or sites on Fridays.

Program excursions to Tuscan cities, and other activities like hikes and special events, always happen on Fridays. There will still be some 'free' Fridays on which you can set off on independent travel if the restrictions allow at the time. So do not arrange or pay for any independent travel or events on any Fridays until you have arrived in Prato and you have met your professors, seen and understood the schedule of all your classes, as well as our program of excursions and events.

You can choose from this list of Tuscany Campus courses, one of which is a mandatory Italian language course. You can also choose up to two online courses.

Accommodations will be made to support all students' ability to stay on track academically. All your academic resources and facilities have been reimagined this year to make it possible for students to develop and succeed at the Tuscany Campus despite these challenging times. All courses can transition, if necessary, at any time from 'in person' to 'hybrid' or 'remote', for the entire class or just an individual, and for this reason the availability and flexibility of academic staff and resources are a priority. To this end you should bring a laptop to Italy. There is Wi-Fi in all the residence halls.

The University is committed to helping you stay on track to graduate even though you have taken the exciting decision to study abroad. If the Tuscany Campus program is cancelled before the semester begins or during the early phase of the study abroad semester, we will work with you to return to the main campus and obtain your classes. If the program is cancelled close to or beyond the half-way point of your semester abroad, we will assist you in completing coursework remotely, on the main campus, or through a combination of both.

Yes. To help more students study abroad, in Fall 2021 students can choose up to two online courses, and then choose three courses from the Tuscany Campus curriculum, including one of our mandatory Italian language courses. This is intended to help students blend their major requirements with the core courses available in Italy. To choose your courses contact your academic advisor and the Office of Study Abroad.

If you are an absolute beginner, you will automatically be placed in one of the beginners' classes. If not, we will ask you to take an online placement test to decide your level ahead of your registration.

The Tuscany Campus expects to offer its typical selection of classes (pending course enrollment) and may add additional sections to meet social distancing requirements. As usual you will be expected to register for five courses, including up to two online courses.

With social distancing measures in place, there will be fewer seats available in each classroom. As a result, we anticipate that more classes than usual may fill during registration. In conversation with your academic advisor, please prepare for registration by selecting multiple alternative classes to substitute for your first-choice options in case your preferred options fill. Flexibility will be key to stress-free registration!

Currently, we are planning to run the Tuscany Campus Fall program as planned. At the same time, there is still some uncertainty related to the global pandemic. Therefore, we are recommending you plan for both abroad and a main campus schedule. Please work with your academic advisor and the Office of Study Abroad. Students initially registered in April for the main campus classes. You will be directed to drop this schedule once it is confirmed that the Tuscany Campus program will move forward as planned.

If at any given point you decide to withdraw from the program, you should immediately reach out to your academic advisor and the Prato staff to discuss your academic options, course availability and the next steps to follow to return to the main campus. Once you have made your final decision to return, Prato and Study Abroad staff will coordinate all required operations to book a return flight, set up COVID test appointments prior your departure, and help you prepare all relevant documentation required for COVID-19 purposes.

You will receive much more information about packing during pre-departure, but this semester because of the special circumstances a working laptop is a must, more than ever before. Should you need to quarantine or isolate in Italy or elsewhere, you may need to complete some or all your coursework online. While there are over 30 PCs available to students throughout the school, you will also need to be able to access your courses from your own room at any time. There is Wi-Fi throughout all our residence halls.

This semester we also suggest that you pack some masks (see section about masks for more information).

Yes, students attending the Fall semester in Prato will travel as a group on a COVID-tested direct flight to Milan Malpensa airport.

COVID-tested flight regulations started on November 23, 2020. Travelers flying from select U.S. airports to select Italian airports (including Rome and Milan) present, upon boarding, certification of a COVID-19 negative molecular or antigenic test effective not earlier than 48 hours before, or the results of a negative rapid test effective immediately before boarding (for example, at the above U.S. airports). Upon landing at the Italian airport, you will be tested again (by molecular or antigenic test) and if you test negative again, will be exempt from the subsequent 14-day mandatory quarantine. A mandatory 14-day quarantine period is required for anyone coming from the U.S. except for travelers flying on COVID-tested flights. For current information and updates on the COVID-tested process, visit the Milan airport website.

Yes. Students should arrive by direct flight from the U.S. to Italy which the University will book for the entire group. Any stopover in other E.U. countries may result in additional and unpredictable travel difficulties, sudden bans, or restrictions.

Yes. According to the current regulations, COVID-tested flights require all passengers to be tested at least 48 hours in advance of the flight or in-person at the airport.

At the moment, the test you must take upon arrival in Italy is paid for by the Italian health authorities. Later in the year this might change, and the passengers may be asked to pay. If this happens the Tuscany Campus staff will strive to assist with testing, so students do not have to pay.

At the Milan airport, after passing through passport control and having picked up their baggage, students will go to the exit. Before leaving the airport, they must go to the COVID Test Area, on the same Arrivals floor near door number 4. Here, they will take a rapid antigen test offered by Italian health authorities. All students who receive negative results will be free to enter the country, without carrying out any isolation. After performing the test, passengers must wait for the result for a maximum of 30 minutes.

The Tuscany Campus staff will strive to help students with the testing procedure if required.

All students will be tested (by molecular or antigenic test) upon arrival at the Milan airport, and if they test negative again, they will be exempt from the subsequent 14-day mandatory quarantine.

If a student tests positively upon arrival in Milan, they will still be able to continue to their destination if they provide documentation from the Tuscan health service (ASL). Tuscany Campus staff will manage that process and prepare students in advance for that eventuality.

Current restrictions in Italy state that designated transport from the airport to Prato must be organized for any students who test positively upon arrival. Prato Campus staff will therefore be ready at the airport with two shuttle buses: one for negative individuals, the other - for any positives. Once students arrive in Prato, any student who tested positive at the airport will follow the mandatory 14-day quarantine in a bedroom in the isolation apartment at the Prato Campus (see later FAQs).

For this first journey and all subsequent transportation needs, only private bus companies will be utilized by the University, and Tuscany Campus staff will be there to organize pick up and accompany students all the way to Prato. Those private bus companies are obliged to follow the rules and guidelines in compliance with the Italian government, including protective equipment, sanitizing before boarding time, and spacing of seated passengers. Once picked up at the airport, students will be transported directly to the center of Prato and will have a very short walk to their rooms.

As stated above, current restrictions in Italy state that designated transport from the airport to Prato must be organized for any students who test positively upon arrival in the country. The Prato Campus will therefore be ready with two shuttles: one for negative individuals, the other - for positives. Once students arrive in Prato, they will follow the quarantine in their residence hall bedroom.

Watch this video to find out more about all the COVID-related security measures typically implemented by Italian airports, in this case Fiumicino airport in Rome.

Appropriate physical distancing (typically 1 meter, or 3 feet) will be the standard in each classroom. Signs and floor markings will aid in maintaining distance. The physical distancing between all students, faculty, and staff in classrooms across the campus is imposed by using signage on floors, walls, and furniture to impose distancing and to regulate the direction of flow.

All classrooms have windows as well as air conditioning systems. All classrooms will be aired at the start of each day, during classes and between classes appropriately. There will be periodic professional cleaning and disinfection of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC).

This depends on class enrollment, the specific classroom size, and the number of seats that can be arranged in the room while maintaining a 1 meter/3 feet separation between students. On average our classroom capacity will be approximately 50% of normal.

Temperature checks take the form of a temperature scanner at the entrance to the school but not at the entrance to every classroom. Given that this age group is most likely to experience asymptomatic cases of COVID-19, temperature checks are not generally effective for limiting spread. Students are advised not to attend class if they feel ill.

All classrooms will be professionally cleaned and sanitized prior to students' arrival and throughout the semester in accordance with the practice on the main campus and Italian government's COVID-19 regulations governing university halls of residence. There will be daily professional cleaning of classrooms throughout the program duration. There will be periodic professional cleaning and disinfection of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC). There will be frequent daily cleaning of classroom touch points such as door handles, entrance doorways, light switches, table surfaces, and marker pens.

Students and instructors are expected to clean the furniture and objects they use at the end of each class using the equipment provided in every classroom.

Yes. Prato's main City Library, and the historic Roncioniana Library Reading Rooms across the street from campus will both be open. Masks will be required, and students will be asked to social distance appropriately. Study spaces have been rearranged so that students will not be seated close to others or directly across from one another.

Student bedrooms vary greatly in size and style in Prato, and typically house between two and four students. Follow this link to see what housing looks like. Students sharing a bedroom will be treated as a 'pod' or 'family group' with regards to any potential need to quarantine. Under normal circumstances, students within the group may associate without social distancing and masks as one does now with family. Outside the group, masks and social distancing should be strictly followed. The exact size and configuration of each bedroom pod will be provided closer to the start of the program.

All housing units, including all bedrooms and bathrooms, and shared spaces like lounges and laundry areas, will be professionally cleaned and sanitized prior to students' arrival and throughout the semester in accordance with the Italian government's COVID-19 regulations governing university halls of residence. There will be daily professional cleaning of communal spaces and bathrooms of Residence Hall facilities throughout the program duration. There will be periodic professional cleaning and disinfection of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC). Throughout the day there will be cleaning of common touch points such as door handles, light switches, entrances, and stairwells.

Yes. A protocol of student cleaning duties for their own bedrooms, kitchens and living areas will be provided to students during orientation and in each apartment. Students are expected to follow the guidance provided in the protocol information. Failure to comply may affect their health and those of fellow roommates. Equipment Stations for student cleaning duties, including paper rolls, disinfectant spray, and gloves, will be available in many places throughout the residence halls, accompanied by instructions for cleaning. Program staff conduct frequent health and safety inspections.

According to current Italian law and campus policy, the use of face coverings is required in all public spaces in the residence hall except inside personal bedrooms and personal bathrooms when their doors are closed, and where only members of the 'pod' are gathered. Tuscany Campus staff will provide students with some masks upon arrival. Masks are easily available throughout the city at many stores very near the campus, and at supermarkets. Throughout the residence halls there will be dedicated foot-operated garbage containers for the disposal of used masks.

Equipment Stations for student cleaning duties, including paper rolls, disinfectant spray, and gloves, will be available in many places throughout the residence halls, accompanied by instructions for cleaning. Hand sanitizing gel stations are to be found throughout the residence halls. Throughout the residence halls there will be dedicated foot-operated garbage containers for disposal of waste used to clean touch points, used masks, and tissues. Program staff conduct frequent health and safety inspections. Program staff, landlord and/or maintenance personnel will enter apartments only as needed but will wear personal protective equipment and will sign a register.

No visitors are allowed access to the residence halls, even if they are students in the program but from another residence hall.

The University has set aside several isolation bedrooms in the residence halls. These isolation beds are in rooms that will only be used for isolation and will not house any other students or activities. Each isolated student will have access to a private bathroom. Students who are required to isolate will be supported by University staff for all their academic continuity, medical care, and meal delivery. Should additional isolation beds be required, the Prato Campus has agreements in place with local hotels to provide additional capacity.

The airline will require passengers to wear a surgical mask (not cloth), and you will need to be wearing a mask when you arrive in Italy. When you meet Tuscany Campus Staff at Arrivals in Milan and board our private bus for Prato, you will be provided with some new masks to last a few days.

Yes. The Tuscany Campus staff will provide all students with some masks upon their initial arrival in Italy, but students are responsible for purchasing any further masks or personal protective equipment. You're welcome to pack any such items as long as they fit all guidelines provided by the airline.

We recommend a supply of surgical masks (or cloth masks in sufficient quantity to allow the mask to be cleaned and dried each day). Many different types of masks are easily available throughout the city at many stores very near the campus, and at supermarkets.

Many different types of masks are easily available throughout the city at many stores very near the campus, and at supermarkets. However, given that travelers are expected to wear surgical masks (and change them) while in flight and/or at the airport, students should expect to travel with a basic supply of masks. Currently in Prato a set of 10 disposable surgical masks can be acquired for between 5 and 10 Euro.

Currently in Italy the requirements are that masks be worn in all public spaces whether indoors or outdoors, except when eating and drinking, and except within your daily group or 'pod'. Masks are required by the Tuscany Campus in all classrooms and program spaces regardless of local rules.

Though we do not yet know if Italian and EU guidelines will continue to require that people wear masks in enclosed spaces this coming fall, we do want you to be prepared for this possibility both at the Tuscany Campus and during your independent travel if that is possible.

In many environments throughout the world the legal requirement is a disposable surgical mask, not a cloth mask.

The University of New Haven program in Prato traditionally provides students with several accompanied educational excursions throughout the region of Tuscany. They are led by instructors such as Dean Murphy who is an art historian, or by professional licensed local guides such as Silvia Risaliti. Each excursion is a structured learning exercise aimed at helping students truly comprehend the cultural, social and artistic significance of the Italian cities in the modern world.

The Tuscany Campus staff coordinates private transportation and entrances to museums in accordance with strict guidelines to safeguard student health and safety. The exact itinerary of each trip, including access to museums and monuments, will depend on the regulations in place at the time.

If restrictions do not permit us to run any of those excursions, students can attend one of our special multimedia virtual guided tours with Dean Murphy, and then go visit independently - with the Tuscany Campus 'travel pack,' which includes maps, information on 'must see' monuments and tips for shopping and eating. The Tuscany Campus will also provide a financial allowance for those who explore these destinations independently to cover the cost of public transport, key museum entries and a snack. We will organizea 'buddy' system of independent travel for students to help them explore in small groups rather than on their own.

On this page you can find a list of destinations offered in past semesters.

Prato staff always run a massive range of fun and educational activities for our students so that there is never a dull moment at the Tuscany Campus. Among our favourites are the 'Italian Culture Nights' which offer a range of evening activities designed to be both entertaining and culturally enlightening. If students are temporarily quarantined or unable to travel widely, they can immerse themselves in this full portfolio of events which are delivered on campus and online simultaneously, like Italian movie nights, Italian trivia nights, Tombola (Italian-style bingo), virtual guided tours of Italy's greatest sights led by art historians, and typical wine and dessert tastings led with culinary experts.

CISI University travel insurance will NOT cover preventive testing. However, should a student become ill then any necessary diagnostic testing will be covered as will any necessary treatment.

Very likely. Unless vaccine distribution makes this issue moot, we are planning to have monthly routine testing but students will not be required to pay for this testing.

PCR and Antigen tests are also available privately through many private clinics throughout the city of Prato. Costs start from just 20 Euros per test for the rapid Antigen tests (results ready after 15-20 minutes). Tests are covered through CISI only when symptoms are present. Costs are direct to students for preventive testing.

The nearby Tercinod Pharmacy also offers rapid antigen tests for 20 Euro.

During orientation and in your welcome packet, you'll be provided with lots of information about our health policies, the contact information for local health and emergency services, contact information for local English-speaking doctors and other specialists. You will also be shown how to contact the staff at the school, and how to contact the Tuscany Campus Emergency number at night and on weekends.

Help and assistance from the Tuscany Campus staff is available 24/7. All students are provided with a cell phone, a sim card, and the campus emergency number to contact outside of school hours. A member of staff is always ready outside of school hours to help you find a doctor or to help you visit the hospital. Although our staff may not be able to physically accompany students to their appointments due to COVID restrictions in Fall 2021, our team can be available by phone or video chat to assist with any medical visits or health concerns.

Potentially infected students or those showing symptoms of COVID-19 will be asked to self-isolate in their apartment or in our dedicated first aid room until one of the program doctors can assess the situation and determine if a test is required.

Once a student results a positive COVID-19 test result, the local health authorities are notified and take the case into their hands. Program staff, while unable to interfere with the clinical side of the process, will provide the student with an isolation bedroom on campus, with a private bathroom, and ongoing support and resources to minimise the impact on their semester. If more than one student tests positive at the same time, they might share an isolation room. Please note that testing positive for COVID-19 will NOT result in a student's repatriation to the United States. Excellent medical care is available throughout Italy.

Prato Campus staff will provide daily telehealth support to students in quarantine and in isolation. Students will be provided with basic self-care resources (over-the-counter medication, fluids, and other items as advised by doctors) for monitoring in isolation and instructions for daily care. The Tuscany Campus has a longstanding relationship with medics and clinics throughout Prato and Tuscany, and one of those doctors will examine the student and monitor their progress. The services of those doctors are covered by students' international health insurance, CISI.

Should a student's symptoms worsen, or if hospitalization is needed for any reason, Tuscany Campus staff will coordinate the next steps with one of the program's doctors and local health authorities. All students, and their parents too if concerned, can contact Prato staff 24/7 as there is an emergency number for contacting Prato staff outside of business hours.

Accommodations will be made to support all students' ability to stay on track academically. All of your academic resources and facilities have been reimagined this year to make it possible for students to develop and succeed at the Tuscany Campus despite these challenging times. All courses can transition if necessary, at any time from 'in person' to 'hybrid' or 'remote', for the entire class or just an individual, and for this reason the availability and flexibility of academic staff and resources are a priority.

The Italian Government has established three different scenarios which are currently in play:

1. COVID positive but without symptoms: The minimum isolation period is 10 days with a negative PCR test result. You will be released from isolation by the local health department.
2. COVID positive with symptoms: The minimum isolation period is 10 days (the last three of which must be without symptoms) with a negative PCR test result. You will be released from isolation by the local health department.
3. COVID positive for 21 or more days. The local health department will decide when to release you from isolation and will take into consideration the last date on which you had symptoms. Patients are generally released after 21 days if they have not had symptoms for at least 7 days.

In Italy a "contact of a COVID-19 case" is any person who has been in contact with that person within a 48-hour window before the onset of symptoms. If you had close contact, this means you had high-risk exposure with a confirmed COVID-19 case.

Examples of close contact in Italy include:

• Anyone whose roommate is a COVID-19 case;
• Anyone who had direct body contact with a COVID-19 case (ex. hand shaking);
• Anyone who had direct unprotected contact with any COVID-19 case's discharge (ex. touched used tissues without certified PPE, such as gloves);
• Anyone who had contact face to face, without PPE, with a COVID-19 case for at least 15 minutes closer than 2 meters apart;
• Anyone who was indoors (in a classroom, meeting room, or a waiting room) with a COVID-19 case without certified PPE;
• Any health professional or COVID-19 case's caregiver who did not work with certified PPE;
• Anyone who travelled by train or airplane with a COVID-19 case with a distance of less than two seats apart.

The aim of contact tracing is to prevent the virus transmission trend. For this reason, Italian regulations currently require that close contacts must EITHER quarantine for a total of 14 days from the date of last contact with a positive case OR quarantine for a total of 10 days from the date of last contact with a positive case and schedule a COVID test for the 10th day of quarantine. If that swab is negative, you may return to normal operations. In any case, Tuscany Campus staff will help you contact the local doctor and help you monitor your symptoms and decide your course of action. This might change in the future because of increasing vaccinations, and it might be the case that asymptomatic individuals are not required to quarantine.

The Tuscany Campus will not manage any contact tracing, but we do keep a record of everyone who enters the facility. Should we receive word from staff, faculty, students, or Italian health authorities that someone in our facilities has been exposed to COVID-19, we shall support all impacted individuals by following the protocol issued by the Italian authorities.

The University works in close partnership with Prato Hospital and the City of Prato's Councillor of Public Health to support our staff and students. The campus also works closely with local general practitioners, a mental health counsellor, and a psychologist, all of whom can be utilized by our students within their international health insurance CISI. In addition, the University also has a special new agreement with the Misericordia (a large public health assistance provider present in every Italian city) to guarantee U.S. students' immediate attention and assistance in the case of infection.

The Tuscany Campus also has a group of backup staff available to step in to assist students in case any members of the regular staff need to quarantine or isolate. The Tuscany Campus Backup Staff do not normally come into any contact with Tuscany Campus staff or students until required to step in. Backup staff are fully trained in all health and safety protocols before the start of the semester.

All students can continue to use their Tuscany Campus vouchers as usual for delivery of food to their residence halls. If students ever need to quarantine or isolate the Tuscany Campus staff will assist by having meals brought directly to students' rooms.

Based on our experience of this past year we do not anticipate any shortages of food, but as a precautionary measure the Tuscany Campus always keeps a large stockpile of basic food supplies, bottled water and toiletries which can be made available to students in case of necessity. The campus also contains a large professional kitchen which can also be used if necessary.

The Tuscany Campus also has a group of backup staff available to step in to fulfill all these services in case any members of the regular staff need to quarantine or isolate. The Tuscany Campus Backup Staff do not normally come into any contact with Tuscany Campus staff or students until required to step in. Backup staff are fully trained before in all health and safety protocols before the start of the semester.

Yes, travelers who become sick with COVID-19 have medical coverage available. Treatment might also be covered in limited cases of individuals not showing symptoms but where exposure has been declared. That is, if there has been a clear exposure to someone with COVID-19 and a doctor or health official had declared that the traveller has been exposed and needs to be tested or treated.

If a traveller becomes ill with COVID-19 and a medical evacuation is necessary, that evacuation will be covered.

Italian law requires that all non-Italian students living in Italy have medical insurance. The University of New Haven works with Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) to assist you in obtaining high-quality health insurance that will fulfil your immigration requirements.

Under Italian law, emergency medical treatment is provided to Italian nationals and foreign nationals alike, regardless of insurance coverage. That said, any treatment received in Italian Emergency Rooms is subject to a fee. If follow-up care is required, the hospital will ask for proof of insurance. Policies on public hospital charges vary from region to region.

CISI offers an insurance plan that covers you wherever you are when outside the U.S. With 24/7 emergency on call operators standing by, you can consult with CISI on their coverage of pre-existing conditions, emergency repatriation, specialist's visits, prescriptions, physical therapy, and everything in between. CISI covers mental health concerns and Trip Delay benefits. CISI will even cover the cost of flying a parent or guardian to your current location during an emergency health crisis. All University of New Haven Tuscany Campus students are automatically enrolled with CISI insurance.

We truly hope that vaccine distribution will be far enough along by fall that there will be limited or no travel restrictions. We will keep you informed as conditions evolve. The ability to travel outside of Prato, or Tuscany, or Italy will obviously be dependent on any restrictions that are present within the country and region at that time. Any restrictions within Italy are within the purview of the host country and students will be routinely apprised of any applicable guidance. The Tuscany Campus might also, in extraordinary circumstances, forbid independent travel outside of Prato, or Italy, to avoid potential concerns about COVID safety.

Among other reasons, potential quarantine requirements are one of the reasons that independent travel may be limited to within Italy by the Tuscany Campus. Our priority is the health and safety of students, and their academic success. Please note that students will be solely responsible for the foreseeable consequences of violating the travel guidelines set out by the Italian and European authorities, including financial consequences associated with quarantine abroad. Again, we truly hope that conditions will make this issue moot and students will be able to travel more freely.

This is contingent on any travel restrictions that might be imposed by the Italian government and the nations you would like to visit. The University also reserves the right to implement travel restrictions on all program participants, including students, with little warning should an outbreak anywhere in Europe cause grave concern for our students.

While you are abroad, our team will work to notify you of common travel destinations that pose significant health risks. It is imperative that you complete the Tuscany Campus mandatory independent travel form every time you leave your host city. You should also seek to inform yourself on issues of health and safety, regardless of when or where you travel as health and safety topics can sometimes impact how you navigate your destination and what activities or events are available to you.

Firstly, students are strongly discouraged by the Tuscany Campus from traveling to unsafe areas either because of a spike in COVID cases or any other reason. Secondly, the University reserves the right to implement travel restrictions on all program participants, including students, with little warning should an outbreak anywhere in Europe cause grave concern for our students.

Should a student be unable to return to Prato as expected, they should contact the Tuscany Campus 24/7 Emergency Service using their Tuscany Camus cell phone or any other means possible. They will then receive immediate support from our staff 24/7 Emergency Service. Students will be individually responsible for completing coursework during their absence. Professors and staff will work with the absent student to ensure that they can complete their coursework remotely or in a timely manner upon their return to Prato. Any additional costs incurred by a student as result of having to stay in another place during this process will be their own responsibility.

In the interests of everyone's health, the Tuscany Campus will not allow unnecessary travel to be undertaken by students who are ill or who have had recent contact with COVID-19 cases.

In this case our students must immediately inform our Tuscany Campus 24/7 Emergency Service using their Tuscany Campus cell phone or any other means possible. The Tuscany Campus Emergency Service will provide them with instructions together with the Tuscany Campus COVID-19 Coordinator. Accommodations will be made with the student's professors to ensure academic continuity from quarantine or should the student need to take time off from their studies for treatment. It is each student's decision as to whether they will have access to the resources they need to continue their studies successfully outside of Prato.

Throughout this whole pandemic there have never been any travel restrictions imposed in Italy that prevented students from going outdoors to travel to class. Furthermore, all Tuscany Campus students live within a 5-minute walk from the campus, in a largely pedestrian environment, so any concerns or regulations affecting public transport will not affect them.

No. Italian and Schengen area immigration regulations allow for a total of no more than 90 days for a stay in the area. In Fall 2021 you will travel to Italy without a student visa, and as the program lasts just under 90 days there will be no opportunity to travel after the program ends. You will be required to travel back to the United States as planned.

No, they cannot under any circumstances. The Tuscany Campus has always had a policy in place that prohibits students from hosting overnight guests in their residence halls, regardless of where that guest is coming from or how they are related to the student. This policy is especially important considering COVID-19 as it is crucial that you limit exposure of the virus to your roommates. All guests have always been and will continue to be asked to stay in a hotel, hostel, or other accommodation for the duration of their visit to Prato. The Tuscany Campus staff can provide a list of many suitable places to stay within close distance of the campus.

If a traveller becomes ill with COVID-19 and a medical evacuation is necessary, that evacuation will be covered.

The program will be evacuated, as per our normal policies, if circumstances threaten the health and safety of our students in ways beyond our control.

A detailed evacuation plan will be shared with students and parents before the start of the program.

You will have full access to Tuscany Campus staff 24/7 using the Tuscany Campus 24/7 Emergency number, a Tuscany Campus cell phone and sim, and the University's LiveSafe emergency app. Student Resident Assistants live in-residence in program housing and maintain regular contact with students. English-speaking health care professionals, counsellors and psychological support are all available in Prato and nearby Florence through CISI insurance.

• CISI Student International Travel Insurance
• Milan airport's information page about COVID-tested flights
• Italian Government Vaccine Dashboard
• Italian Ministry of Health overview of COVID situations and measures
• Italian Institute of Health, Information and Statistics webpages regarding COVID in Italy
• U.S. State Department COVID Information regarding Italy
• U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Italy
• Centers for Disease Control

On January 12, 2021, the CDC announced an Order requiring all air passengers arriving to the U.S. from a foreign country get tested no more than 3 days before their flight departs and to present the negative result or documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 to the airline before boarding the flight. Air passengers will also be required to confirm that the information they present is true in the form of an attestation. This Order is effective as of 12:01 a.m. EST (5:01 a.m. GMT) on January 26, 2021.

For the full list of requirements and exemptions, please review the language in the Order.

You can contact the Study Abroad Office at studyabroad@newhaven.edu.