Have a Safe and Healthy CIMBA Experience 

Paderno del Grappa is a safe, quiet community and is home to roughly 2,200 Italians. This is a very secure location for the CIMBA campus and our students. We have a security guard who monitors our front gate. In the evenings, this gate is closed and only students, staff, and approved visitors are permitted to enter. In addition, you have a lock on your dorm room to keep your valuables secure. 

On campus, CIMBA has resident assistants (RAs) who monitor the dorms and act as additional support for our students. The RAs also carry emergency phones so you can contact them for assistance anytime you are in Paderno del Grappa. If you are traveling off campus, you can call the 24-hour CIMBA Emergency line (+39-335-785-1270).

Our mandatory attendance policy quickly alerts us if you are not in class so we can check on you and get you the care you need. CIMBA has an on-campus nurse in case of a minor illness or injury; she will refer to local doctors as necessary. In the event of a major incident, a bilingual staff member will arrange advanced care with a doctor or local hospital. Staff can also assist students with the use of CISI insurance if necessary.

CIMBA’s affiliation with the University of Iowa means that it is mandatory for all CIMBA study abroad students to be covered by Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI). Comprehensive coverage details, claim procedures, policy information and limitations, and FAQ’s about CISI can be found on the university’s study abroad insurance page and details will be provided with your insurance card.

The cost of CISI coverage is included in the cost of the program. CIMBA will automatically enroll you in CISI, and in the weeks before you depart, you will receive an email from CISI with your insurance card. It will also contain information about how to access your card electronically. It is very important to print and carry this card with you at all times while abroad. 

CISI coverage is mandatory for all students participating in CIMBA and cannot be waived or reimbursed, even if you have additional coverage through your home university. We recognize this means many students will have double coverage. Since types of coverage and levels of benefits vary so dramatically, the University of Iowa has determined that coverage under the Iowa Regents policy should extend to ALL students studying abroad through CIMBA. This ensures a standard level of coverage for all so predictable levels of support can be accessed if needed during any emergency response. We recommend contacting your home university to determine if their policy is able to be waived with proof of CISI insurance from CIMBA.

CIMBA’s affiliation with the University of Iowa means that it is mandatory for all non-Italian CIMBA students to be covered by Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI). This coverage cannot be waived. Comprehensive coverage details, claim procedures, policy information and limitations, and FAQ’s about CISI can be found on the University’s study abroad insurance page.  Please note that the coverage is travel insurance only and does not include preventative care or pre-existing conditions. It is recommended that you continue to carry at least a catastrophic plan in your home country while you are in Italy.

Coverage dates include one day before and one day after your CIMBA program in Italy. (CISI does not apply when you come to Iowa City for the final course.) To extend your coverage, please use the instructions provided on the University’s study abroad insurance page.

The cost of CISI coverage is $325. Payment for the coverage will be due at the beginning of the fall semester along with your first tuition payment; details regarding how to pay will be provided with the invoice. CIMBA will enroll you in CISI in the weeks before you depart, and you will receive an email from CISI with your insurance card. It will also contain information about how to access your card electronically. It is very important to print and carry this card with you at all times while abroad.

Although the legal drinking age in Italy and Europe is lower than in the U.S., drunkenness and overuse is not culturally acceptable. Alcohol usage in Europe is centered around culture, food, and socializing; misuse is not tolerated. It is important to remember that your behavior represents CIMBA, your home university, and your country, so act accordingly. We also advise you to avoid posting any inappropriate pictures and text related to drunken behavior on social media.

Alcohol use and consumption while abroad is the leading contributor to serious incidents. Alcohol and drugs can greatly reduce your safety by impairing your judgment and awareness of your surroundings. If you plan to use alcohol – do so moderately. Do not endanger yourself, others, property, or the future viability of the program. Know when to say “no”, stay with your friends, and look out for each other!

Students are subject to local laws and regulations while in Italy, including those related to drugs and alcohol. Foreign laws are more severe in relation to drug use. Please be mindful of laws where you are living and traveling, and know that you will be held accountable for your actions.

During orientation in Italy, CIMBA will review our policies on alcohol, laws, and personal responsibility.

It is important to remember that you must abide by the specific laws of the country which you are visiting. Although laws vary from those in the US, you are still expected to abide by them. Please be aware of the common laws of the countries that you plan to visit.

If you encounter serious problems, American embassies and/or consulates can offer some assistance. They can provide you with a list of local attorneys and physicians, contact friends or family on your behalf to request funds or guidance, and provide assistance during civil unrest or natural disaster. Embassies cannot cash personal checks, arrange for free medical or legal services, post bail or get you out of jail, or act as couriers or interpreters.

Prior to departure, you will fill out a medical self-assessment form that helps our staff prepare for your arrival. Please include any and all conditions, allergies, or medications that may require extra support and arrangements from our staff. We will contact you if we need further information to ensure you have a healthy semester.

CIMBA has an on-campus nurse who can help administer over-the-counter medication, shots, and treat minor illnesses or injuries (some fees may apply). We also have a refrigerator on campus for students with medication that must stay cool. In the event of a major incident, a bilingual staff member will arrange advanced care with a local doctor or hospital. Staff can also assist students with the use of CISI insurance if necessary.

Prescriptions: You should bring a supply of your prescription medication to last the entire stay of your time abroad. Your insurance company can grant you permission to get several months’ supply in advance. Medication cannot be shipped overseas.

We recommend carrying your medications in the original containers that clearly display the name of the patient, doctor, and medication. Carry copies of the prescription to avoid problems with customs and to have in case it needs to be filled abroad. It may be helpful to have a letter from the prescribing physician or pharmacist describing the medicine and its active ingredients, dosage, generic name, and description of the condition being treated. The letter could be helpful in an emergency; you may also want to translate it into Italian.

Do not pack all of the medication in checked luggage. At least a two-week supply should be packed in carry-on luggage so you are not without medicine if your luggage gets lost. Students who are diabetic or have another medical condition that requires syringes should bring an adequate supply of disposable syringes.

Over-the-Counter: If you prefer certain brands of over-the-counter medicines for common ailments, bring them from home. While there is a pharmacy in town that carries quality over-the-counter products, specific brands may not be available. The pharmacists are bilingual and can help you find the medication you are looking for.

Vitamins: Most vitamins that are available in the U.S. can also be found in Italy. You can purchase these at the pharmacy or convenience store in town or at the mall, or bring them with you in your carry on. We recommend not shipping vitamins to campus because you will be required to pay taxes before receiving your package.

If you are currently abroad and have an emergency, please contact:

• Italian Police: 113
• Medical Health Emergencies: 118
• Team Assist (emergency insurance): +1 240-330-1520
• CIMBA Emergency 24-hour Phone: +39-335-785-1270

• U.S. Consulate in Milan: +39-02-290-351
• U.S. Consulate in Rome: +39-06-4674-2803
• U.S. Department of State

Upon arrival, all students are registered with the U.S. Consulate in Milan. The CIMBA staff with assist you with this process during your first few days on campus. CIMBA stays current and informs student of any travel alerts posted by the U.S. State Department. In the unlikely event of political instability or credible threats against the general population or U.S. citizens specifically, the U.S. Consulate will notify us of the evacuation route and procedures. For current information, travel advisories, or warnings, refer to the U.S. Department of State.

We encourage you to be mindful of safety at all times. Crime rates in Europe are low by U.S. standards. The most common crime is theft, which is frequently found in the heavily traveled tourist areas and on public transportation.

It is important to be aware that pickpockets exist and tend to prey on people who look lost or who do not seem to be paying attention to their surroundings. Pickpockets often have developed strategies: working in pairs, asking for directions, creating distractions, etc. Listed below are a few tips to help avoid theft while you are abroad:

• Remain alert of your environment; seem purposeful when you move about.
• Ask directions only from individuals in authority.
• Refrain from displaying jewelry that appears expensive
• Keep all valuables on your person in a discreet place (money belt strongly recommended).
• NEVER leave handbags/ purses/ baggage unattended, opened, or unzipped.
• Travel with others; there is safety in numbers.
• Keep copies of your passport, airplane ticket, health insurance card, driver’s license, and student ID in a separate place than the originals.
• Use the buddy system when going to the ATM; avoid withdrawing money at night. 

If you are a victim of theft or crime while abroad, please contact the CIMBA staff immediately. We also recommend reviewing the Rick Steve’s guide to theft and scams while abroad.