FAQ – Faculty/Staff

SAI can be reached at the following offices, in the US and abroad:

SAI California Office (Main Office)
7160 Keating Avenue
Sebastopol, CA 95472
USA Tel: (+1) 707.824.8965
Toll Free: 800.655.896
Fax: (+1) 707.824.0198

All student accommodations are equipped with a kitchen and basic supplies. In general, students are encouraged to shop at the local markets and to prepare food at home with their apartment mates. Students tend to enjoy the market experience and cooking with all of the fresh foods.

SAI Florence offers a meal plan at Ganzo, a restaurant run by the Apicius students: http://www.saiflorence.com/services/mealplan.php. Prices for the various meal plans are available on request.

SAI Siena students are placed with families and will be provided 3 meals a day, seven days a week.

SAI Sorrento offers students the option of residing with a family. This option is offered as half board (breakfasts only) or full board (breakfasts and dinners). Students choosing to live in an SAI apartment will have a fully equipped kitchen at their disposal. In addition, students will receive several discounts using their SASL student ID at local restaurants.

SAI Rome/JCU students are welcome to join the JCU meal plan. JCU has arranged with local restaurants and cafés to provide meals Monday through Friday during the semester: http://www.sairome.com/services/mealplanJCU.html. Prices for the various meal plans are available on request.

SAI Rome/Italiaidea have the option of residing with a family and receiving one continental breakfast (Monday-Friday) and one complete meal per day (Monday-Thursday). Students choosing the SAI apartment option will have access to the shared kitchen.

SAI Milan does not have a formal meal plan. Although, NABA does have a cafeteria on campus and Domus has a popular cafe right across the street. Summer students enrolled in NABA course will receive one meal voucher each day they are in class. Vouchers can be redeemed at the NABA cafeteria.

SAI London has multiple campuses centrally located throughout London and each school has a cafeteria on campus. No meal plans are available. Students will have access to a kitchen in their student accommodations.

SAI is dedicated to providing education abroad opportunities to students with learning or physical difficulties. If a student experiences any learning difficulties (e.g. dyslexia) which may interfere with his/her ability to pursue an academic course, and which he/she wishes to be taken into account, students should notify SAI during the application process. Although we may not be able to offer specialized instruction or resources, we can offer understanding and respect, and will do our best to replicate any assistance (extra time in tests, etc.) offered at the student's home institutions. Regarding physical difficulties, it is important to note that Italy’s infrastructure and ability to accommodate special needs differs from what is available in the US. Certain SAI program sites are better equipped to assist students with special needs than others. As this may be a factor in choosing which SAI program to attend, students should notify us of any special needs before applying.

US schools do not send a faculty director along with their students. Although, faculty members do accompany students on SAI customized programs. For additional information regarding SAI customized programs, please contact SAI.

SAI programs in Milan, Florence, Sicily and London are accredited by Fairfield University in Connecticut. John Cabot University (JCU) in Rome is a US accredited university. SAI' program in Siena is accredited by Portland State University. SAI's newest program in Sorrento is accredited by State University of New York, Alfred.

SAI Program Coordinators regularly organize social and cultural events for SAI students, including: events held in cooperation with local students, sporting events and participation in sports, cultural events, volunteer & community service opportunities.

Yes! SAI offers a variety of scholarships each year based on need and merit. Please visit our scholarship page for additional details, eligibility requirements and the application. In addition, all SAI affiliate students receive the following special discounts: SAI provides a $300 discount to every semester affiliate student and $100 discount to every summer student enrolled in an SAI program. Affiliate students must be attending an SAI program included in their affiliation agreement in order to receive the discount.

All SAI students studying in Florence, Italiaidea in Rome, Milan and London enrolling from non-affiliated universities will receive US course credit from Fairfield University in Connecticut.

Students studying in Siena will receive a US transcript from Portland State University in Oregon.

Students enrolled in the SAI Sorrento program will receive a US transcript from Alfred State College in New York.

Students attending the SAI Rome program at John Cabot University (JCU) will receive US credit directly from JCU, since JCU is a US accredited university. SAI will automatically process US credit for non-affiliate students through Fairfield University or JCU with no additional fee.

The SAI database allows our affiliate schools access to their students’ record via the internet in a fully secure 128-bit encrypted environment. This simple, efficient web interface includes: housing assignments, student contact information, course registration, cell phone numbers abroad, and more. This information is completely secure and access is view-only. Information cannot be altered except by authorized SAI staff. SAI affiliates receive a username and password to allow entry to this customized online database. The database is located at: www.studyabroaditaly.com/DB. Please note that this web address as well as the username and password are case specific for security reasons. If you are an SAI affiliate and would like access to your username and password, please contact SAI. In addition, affiliate schools will receive an email confirming student enrollment prior to each term.

Students engage in a variety of free time activities, including organized tours and individual exploring. During the semester, there are a number of opportunities for weekend trips. Summer students tend to travel prior to or following their summer session(s).

SAI provides all participating schools with an efficient and professional staff to handle student advising, admissions, registration, housing, payments, billing, financial aid processing, visa advising, international health insurance, visa advising and processing. SAI staff works closely with each student and is dedicated to facilitating the best possible study abroad experience based on a student’s academic and personal needs. SAI works closely with each affiliate school to ensure high quality communication regarding student enrollments, program updates, site visits, customized programs, students’ well-being abroad, etc. SAI supports its affiliates by participating in study abroad fairs and campus visits as well as offering special student scholarships. SAI provides each affiliate school with secure, individual access to its extensive database. SAI is proud to help streamline the study abroad office workload by presenting pertinent information through this simple, efficient web-based interface. The database provides access to each student’s application status, course registration, local address, cell phone number and more. Access is tailored for each affiliate. In addition, SAI grants affiliate schools access to all current course syllabi through a password protected section of our website. Affiliate schools may refer to these syllabi for advising students, determining course equivalencies and sharing with departmental faculty or staff. Finally, SAI offers affiliates assistance with site visits and provides affiliate schools interested in developing their own study abroad program with an established infrastructure and the necessary components. We would be happy to discuss SAI affiliation with you upon request.

Admission services ranging from application, course enrollment, housing assignment Carefully selected living accommodations in clean, pleasant city center lodgings HTH Insurance (comprehensive international health insurance including medical emergency evacuation and repatriation) Cell phone assignment prior to departure and pick-up upon arrival (Not yet available in London) US academic credit Academic programs taught in English Dedicated on-site SAI Program Coordinators providing personal assistance throughout the term Airport pick-up and transportation on arrival days Orientation: three day (semester programs) or two day (summer programs) in-depth orientation Welcome reception and events 24 hour emergency support line Weekly cultural activities Program inclusive 2 night excursions, as well as day trips to specially chosen locations Farewell evening: reception and dinner with all students Optional student visa service Optional excursions offered at an additional cost for each program

Program cost does not include: Application fee, security deposit, single room supplement, airfare, meals, personal expenses, books, course fees, optional excursions offered by SAI or the host school.

The SAI on-site Program Coordinator organizes a series of meetings and events which are designed to provide students with a thorough orientation of the city and surrounding area. They also provide a full explanation of the academic program as well as an introduction to the host school faculty and staff. By the end of orientation, students should have a clear understanding of their new environment and feel confident moving about the city independently.

The program fee includes HTH Worldwide Insurance coverage for all SAI programs. Prior to departure, each student will receive an email explanation of benefits, instructions on how to print the HTH ID card and an "HTH (UNICARE) Authorization Form." This authorization form must be completed, signed and returned to the SAI California office as soon as possible prior to departure. For additional policy information, visit: • www.hthstudents.com. This website provides students access to a description of insurance benefits, claim forms, contact information, as well as access to HTH Worldwide's Provider networks. • www.hthparents.com provides parents with access to the same health and security resources that are available to students and advisors.

The cost of living in Italy/London is similar to the US. In Italy/London, a coffee costs about $2.00 and fruits and vegetables are perhaps a little less expensive than in the US, especially if you buy them at the open market. On the other hand, telephones and energy (gas, electricity, gasoline) are more expensive, so things tend to even out. If you cook at home, you can live relatively cheaply. Consulates expect you to have about $1,000 - $1,200 per month for your stay in Italy/London. In general, this amount is a good but generous estimate of the basic cost of living. Recently the US dollar has dropped significantly in value, resulting in higher costs because of exchange rates.