Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Info on what to bring to Italy if you are an Expat or a student

Here is some information on what to bring to Italy if you are a student or an Expat coming in from the USA:

NOTE: ASSUMPTIONS MADE
  1. An Expat may be an individual, a couple or a family: that is on an international assignment (usually defined in an Expat Agreement or contract for months or years) from an USA company or corporation or international company or international agency OR have relocated legally from another country or the USA with an Elective Residence visa OR have relocated legally from another country or the USA as a dual citizen (Italian and whatever nationality).
  2. A Student is legally attending with a student visa: a study abroad program or a degree program from a college or university based in the USA OR has qualified to attend an Italian university OR attending an accredited Italian language program.
  3. I am NOT addressing what is or is not available to US Military or US government or US defense/civilian contractor personnel and their dependents stationed or assigned in Italy or elsewhere around the world. These individuals have their own procedures, facilities, etc. available to them and their guests.
CAVEAT: WARNINGS
  1. Most medications sold in the USA cannot be shipped via FEDEX, UPS, DHL, etc. or mailed via USPS to Italian addresses in Italy.
  2. Even though, an electronic device may state it is dual voltage (110V - 220/240V), not all electronic devices or adapters are auto-sensing for voltage may it be 110V - 220/240V. Please check that there is not a switch that you manually have to move or to select the correct voltage setting first before the device is being plug into the electrical outlet wherever you may be located at the time.
  3. If you are planning to have something shipped via Fedex, UPS, DHL, etc. or mailed to you via USPS, please be AWARE that you may have to pay a hefty customs duty (fee) on the item(s) that had been shipped or mailed to you. Not only have I have heard stories from other Expats or read about them but it has happened to me. In 2007, when I moved to Italy, I had a box of used clothing sent to me via USPS. It was stated on a customs declaration form "used clothing" and zero value ($0.00) attached to the box. However, I was still charged €26 ($34+) by Italian customs. I had already paid $50.00 plus dollars in postage to send the box from the States.
ADVICE/SUGGESTIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS
  1. Once you get to Italy, plan on buying surge protectors or UPS's (Universal Power Supply with built-in surge protection) for your electronics. For what you may pay for a quality and adequate surge protector, you would only pay €3 or €5 more for a UPS or the same price for a surge protector, if it's on sale. I have (5) UPS's for laptops computers, TV and DVD player, stereo equipment, cordless phone and medical equipment and for the refrigerator in our rental house because I know that we have dirty power where we live and have occasional brown outs.
  2. Whenever we have someone visit us from the States (even, a friend of a friend), I will usually ask them to bring something(s) over for me in their luggage. I will have the specific item(s) shipped to their state-side address and/or ask them to buy various items, e.g., an unlocked GSM, quad-band cell phone, OTC medications, vitamins, various items for my laptop, men, women and children's clothing items, carbon monoxide detector, books, paperbacks, magazines, disposable contact lenses, solutions for contact lenses, etc.
  3. In the same vein, it you ever travel back to the State on business or pleasure, bringing or buying another suitcase there and fill it up with the items that you want or need here in Italy. Last year, my wife packed a second bag inside a suitcase with minimal clothing she was taking to the States with her. On the return trip to Italy, she filled up both suitcase with her various purchases and items that she had bought or received from various friends and family members. Even with today's fees for checking luggage, it is still cheaper and safer than having these items sent or shipped to her in Italy. Something to think about and to consider for trips back to the States in the future.
CHECKLISTS
GENERAL – EXPATS AND STUDENTS
  • APPLIANCES (ELECTRIC)
    • Kitchen appliances (small): blenders/mixers, bread makers, coffee grinders, coffee makers, cookers: induction, rice or slow cookers, cupcake makers, deep fryers, food dehydrators, egg cookers, indoor grills, griddles, food savers, juicers, knife sharpeners, microwaves, panini/sandwich makers, pop corn makers, toasters, waffle irons, warming drawers/trays, etc.
      • Most small kitchen appliance sold in the USA are 110V and 60 Hz and will NOT work in Italy unless used with a step down voltage transformer or 110 - 220/240 voltage converter.
      • If the kitchen appliance has a motor or heating element, it will not be as efficient as it was in the States and MUST be used with a voltage transformer or voltage converter.
      • For Expats, this is why you request a small appliance allowance in your Expat Agreement and/or relocation package. This is something to consider when you move to Italy or anywhere abroad, the replacement costs for all the small kitchen appliances that you currently own or use.
    • Kitchen appliances (large), e.g., freezers, refrigerators, etc.:
      • Most large kitchen appliance sold in the USA are 110V and 60 Hz and will NOT work in Italy unless used with a step down voltage transformer or 110 - 220/240 voltage converter.
      • These appliance have a motor and they may not run or be as efficient as they were in the States.
      • Suggestion: Unless this is a long tern international assignment or you are planning on living in Italy year round, consider LEAVING it in the States.
    • Other appliances (large): washing machine, clothes dryer, etc.
      • These appliances have a motor and it may not be as efficient as it was in the States.
      • There are differences between USA and Italian/European washing machines.
        • There is NO separate tap for washing machine.
        • These appliance have a motor and it may not be as efficient as it was in the States.
      • There are differences between USA and Italian/European clothes dryers: gas and electric:
        • how it is vented
        • the difference in connections: electrical and gas
        • These appliance have a motor and it may not be as efficient as it was in the States.
      • Suggestion: Unless this is a long tern international assignment or you are planning on living in Italy year round, consider LEAVING it in the States.
  • COMPUTER RELATED ITEMS
    • There are no bargains for computer related items in Italy. DVDs, various cables, desktop/laptop accessories are more expensive in Italy and there are fewer choices.
    • External disk drives, CD/DVD drives, routers, switches, hubs, etc. MUST be 100 – 240V and 50 – 60 Hz (dual voltage)
  • ELECTRONICS
    • A/C adapters or chargers for GPS devices, MP3 players, iPad, iPod, battery chargers, etc.
      • MUST be 100 – 240V and 50 – 60 Hz (dual voltage)
      • You must use an electrical plug adapter that has either 3 or 2 male plugs and either be 10A or 16A.
    • Cell phones
      • MUST be GSM! – or a “world phone”
      • Unlocked
      • Ideally, Tri or quad band for better cellular service
      • A/C adapter for cell phone or iPhone charger MUST be 100 – 240V and 50 – 60 Hz (dual voltage)
    • Desktop/Laptop computers
      • Power supply for desktop MUST be 100 – 240V and 50 – 60 Hz (dual voltage)
      • A/C adapter for laptop MUST be 100 – 240V and 50 – 60 Hz (dual voltage)
    • Hair dryers/curling irons and other hair care products
      • Power supply for these items MUST be 100 – 240V and 50 – 60 Hz (dual voltage)
      • If your current device is NOT dual voltage, leave it in the States and replace it with one in Italy.
    • Monitors: Analog, LCD including widescreen, etc.
      • Power supply for these items MUST be 100 – 240V and 50 – 60 Hz (dual voltage)
      • If your current device is NOT dual voltage, leave it in the States and replace it with one in Italy.
    • Stereo Equipment/Home Theater System
      • Dual voltage items are OK
      • There is a label on the back of or somewhere on the device, e.g., compact disk, DVD and Blu-ray players, DVD recorder, stereo receiver, turn table, that should state 100 – 240V and 50 – 60 Hz (dual voltage)
    • TV including LCD HDTV, LED LCD, PLASMA
      • Most TVs sold in the USA has a tuner that will recognize only the NTSC encoding/transmission standard. In Italy and most of Europe, you have PAL except for France and a few other countries. There is SECAM in France, Russia and the former countries that made up the USSR and a few other countries.
  • CLOTHING
    • CHILDREN
      • You will not find the variety and choices that you have in the States, plan on bringing extra children clothing items in various sizes over to Italy.
      • Suggestion: Buying an item on-line in the States and follow the advice in Item #2 mentioned above in ADVICE/SUGGESTIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS
    • MEN
      • If you are a 2X or larger, plan on bringing extra items of clothing with you.
      • I personally have found that in the shops and men's stores that I have visited that 2X or larger is not only very hard to find but if you do find a clothing item labeled 2X, it is usually too small or does not fit properly.
      • Suggestion: Buying an item on-line in the States and follow the advice in Item #2 mentioned above in ADVICE/SUGGESTIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS
    • WOMEN
      • bras
        • If you are size that is difficult to find in the States, plan on bringing extra bras over to Italy.
        • If there is a specific brand that you prefer, plan on bringing extra bras over to Italy.
      • plus sizes
        • Finding any item that you may like or wear in Italy, may be difficult. So, plan on bringing extra items of clothing with you.
      • Suggestion: Buying an item on-line in the States and follow the advice in Item #2 mentioned above in ADVICE/SUGGESTIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS
  • EYEGLASSES AND CONTACTS
    • Have a copy of your latest eyeglass/contact prescription.
    • Be sure to have an extra pair of your eyeglasses and/or contact lenses.
    • If you wear contacts, please be aware of the following:
      • Disposable contacts lenses are very expensive in Italy, please plan on bringing extra pairs from the States with you.
      • If you use a specific solution for your contact lenses, please plan on bringing extra supplies from the States with you.
      • Suggestion: Consider buying disposable contacts and/or contact lenses solution on-line in the States and follow the advice in Item #2 mentioned above in ADVICE/SUGGESTIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS
  • LAMPS
    • You can use most electric lamps or light fixtures bought in the States in Italy.
    • You will need to changeout and replace the existing 110V bulb or halogen in the light fixture for a 220V one and either use a 10A/16A plug adapter or cut off and replace the USA electrical plug with the right size Italian electrical plug.
  • MEDICATIONS – CAVEAT: MOST MEDICATIONS SOLD IN THE USA CANNOT BE SHOPPED VIA FEDEX, UPS, DHL, ETC. OR MAILED VIA USPS TO ITALY.
    • NAME BRAND
      • Not all name brand medications that you have in the USA are available in Italy.
      • When coming to Italy, be sure to know the standard drug name and its generic name.
      • Needless to say, if you can find it here in Italy, it will cost MORE!
    • OVER THE COUNTER (OTC)
      • You do not have the choice or selection that you have in the States.
      • For example, in the farmacia (pharmacy), aspirin are usually sold individually. The costs can be as much as €1 a piece and you can only get so many at a time.
    • PRESCRIPTIONS
      • You will need to go to an Italian doctor and have a new Italian prescription written for the current USA prescription that you are taking.
      • You will receive a fixed number of pills or tablets from the farmacia (pharmacy). There is no 30 or 60 or 90 day supply.
      • So you'll need to see an Italian doctor several times a year to get your Italian prescription written again for a refill.
    • ALLERGIES INCLUDING FOOD AND DIETARY RESTRICTIONS
  • HANDICAPPED/DISABLED
    • You exercise the same care and due diligence that you do in the States but you MUST be more alert because of language differences, drivers of all types of motor vehicles including motorcycles, scooters, etc.
    • NOTE: My wife and I have had this experience several times when driving in various sized towns and cities in Italy. My wife or myself would stop at a cross walk or an intersection with or without a stoplight to let an elderly individual or visually impaired person or an individual in a wheelchair or a person using a cane or crutches cross the street in front of us. However, the driver of whatever vehicle behind our car would attempt to pass us and nearly miss hitting the person crossing the street. Fortunately, we have not witnessed anyone being hit but there have been several close calls.
    • Check out these blog entries:
  • RECORDS AND DOCUMENTS
    • Certified copies of birth and/or marriage certificates
    • Make at least 2 copies each of the front and back of your driver’s license, credit cards, ATM cards, student identification cards; passport photograph page; professional certifications, a copy of your latest eyeglass/contact prescription, etc. and keep them in separate locations if possible.
    • For Expats, a copy of your last Federal and if applicable, State, tax returns.
  • AND EVERYTHING ELSE
    • Power of Attorney
    • Medic Alert & Food Allergy/Medical Condition Cards
    • Obtain an updated copy of your glasses or contacts prescription(s)
    • Notifying Bank & Credit Card Companies that you will be abroad and in which countries and for how long
    • Make photocopies of the photograph page of your passport, international health insurance card, student identification card, the front and back of all debit and credit cards, your drivers license, VISA application, etc.
EXPAT
  • FOOD ITEMS
    • ETHNIC FOODS
      • You will not find the variety and choices that you have in the USA for the ethnic foods that you may prefer. Please plan on bringing and packing enough ethnic foods items with your household goods shipment.
    • ETHNIC SPICES/INGREDIENTS
      • While you may find oriental/Indian and other ethnic markets and shops in Italy, the items that you find are more expensive than what you are used to paying in the States. Depending on where you end up living, ethnic markets and shops are found in the larger cities, e.g., Rome, Firenze, Milano but may be non-existent in smaller cities and towns of Italy.
    • OTHER FOOD ITEMS
STUDENT
  • See above
REFERENCE
RELATED
MISCELLANEOUS
* = Blog entry has been updated.

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Depending on your respective situation whether coming over to Italy as an Expat or as a student, you will bring what you need or want. It may be a lot or very little. Remember to be flexible and open to new experiences, to the people you will meet and the differences in how things get done in Italy or not.

That's it for Wednesday, 14 July 2010: mercoledì, 14 luglio 2010

Ciao, Ben

government jobs – #1 source of links About, For or On Italy for those individuals moving, traveling or already living in Italy.

Today’s quote is an Italian proverb, author unknown.

"Chi piu sa, meno credo."
"The more one knows, the less one believes."

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Friends and Family in Italy

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Please note: The time listed below for this posting is Central European Time (CET)/ GMT+1.
Posted by Iffah Syarifah at 8:17 PM
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