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Language studies
There are language schools throughout Italy although quite a lot of institutions are located in the big cities, especially in Rome and Florence. Many schools are privately owned, although there are also departments of universities that accept language learning students. There is no compulsory quality scheme in Italy for language schools, but there is an association of language schools, Asils, which aims to improve standards within the industry. There is also an association, Italian in Italy, whose members are both language schools and institutions that offer cultural courses such as cookery, art and jewellery making.
Travelling around Italy
Travelling by plane in Italy is an expensive way to get around, with the rail and bus networks offering better value for money. However, there are airports in Rome, Pisa, Milan, Naples, Catania and Cagliari, as well as smaller regional airports.
The rail system is operated by Ferrovie dello Stato (FS), a partially privatised state system. Rail services are generally efficient and cheap, and there is a fast train service, the ETR 450, between major cities. The Cartaverde is a discount card available for under-26 year olds. It costs about 20 euros (US$25), is valid for one year, and gives cardholders a 20 per cent discount on first- and second-class tickets on all trains. The rail passes you can buy depend on where you are from. Europeans might like to consider the Eurodomino pass (or the Interrail One Country Pass as it's now known), which is valid for second-class travel for between three and eight days in one month. A three day pass costs 147 euros (US$206) for first class. Non-EU citizens can buy the Italy Flexi Railcard, equivalent to the Eurodomino, starting from US$265 (first class) or US$211 (second class) for three days.
If you are not travelling on a major rail line, it may be worth considering the bus as an alternative option. Travelling by bus is usually cheaper, and there are many local companies offering competitive fares linking major cities and smaller regional destinations. Local tourist offices should be able to provide you with details of local operators.
Italian drivers have a reputation for being rather unpredictable on the roads, so although travelling by car is certainly a good way to explore the country, you must take extra care. Cars are a particularly good idea for travelling in Sicily and Sardinia where some of the more beautiful areas are difficult to access by public transport. It is cheaper to organise car rental in your own country than in Italy, although there are rental agencies in the major cities. You must be over 21 to hire a car.
You can also hire a motorbike or scooter - a popular method of transport with young people of all nationalities in Italy - you will see Vespas everywhere.
Crucial visa info and work rights
Citizens from many countries will require a visa to enter Italy. There is a complete list below. These should get in touch with their local Italian embassy.
Nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA) do not need a visa to study in Italy. Nationals from other countries do not require a visa to visit Italy for less than three months. However, if you intend a longer stay then you must apply for a study visa – find out more from your nearest Italian embassy. . On arrival in Italy, students from countries outside the EEA must obtain a permesso di sogiorno (stay permit) from the questura (Italian police deprtment) within eight days. This permit is valid for three months and can be renewed by students while in Italy.
Citizens of European Union (EU) member states are able to work freely in Italy, but it is illegal for non-EU citizens to work in Italy without a work permit. Obtaining a work permit is very difficult as you must first find a job and then prove that it cannot be filled by an Italian or EU citizen. Your employer must then go to the questura with a letter promising employment before the work permit can be issued.
Average prices
Two-week general Italian course: Euro333 (US$468)
Two weeks' homestay accommodation: Euro446 (US$626)
Two weeks' residential accommodation: Euro352 (US$494)
Italian language exams available: Cils
Visa national countries
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belorus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central Africa, Chad, China, Colombia, Comoro Islands, Congo, Congo (Democratic Republic), Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican (Republic), East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Granada, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia (the Former Yugoslav Republic of), Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Micronesia, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Northern Marianas, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Papua-New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Solomon, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Tajikistan, Taiwan, (non-recognized territorial entity), Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Western Samoa, Yemen, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia-Montenegro), Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Italian language students in Italy by country of origin, 2006
German 13.9%
USA 13.5%
Japan 8.9%
Switzerland 8.2%
UK 6.5%
Austria 4.9%
Spain 4.8%
Australia 3.6%
France 3.4%
Canada 3.4%
Source: Language Travel Magazine
Addresses
Association of Schools of Italian as a Second Language (Asils)
c/o Via Fiume 17, Rome, Italy
Tel: +39 0412410720 Fax: +39 0415285628
Email: info@asils.it
Web: www.asils.it
Italian in Italy
Via Tibullo 10, Rome, 00193, Italy
Tel: +39 0668307796 Fax: +39 066869758
Email: studioitalia@studioitalia-italy.it
Web: www.studioitalia-italy.it
Eduitalia
Via Arte della Lana 4, Florence, 50123, Italy
Email: info@eduitalia.org
Web: www.eduitalia.org
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