Student Services

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Student services

Our aim is to respond to the needs of our participants by offering the experience and advice of our faculty and staff, who are at hand 24 hours seven days a week during the program (and throughout the year via email) and available to address any questions or concerns a participant may have, including academic, safety, travel, entertainment, food, etc. We encourage students to organize their own explorations, however, we also organize tours, trips and other educational and fun activities, such as Italian film nights, community festivals, local dinner events, concerts, cooking classes and pot-lucks.

Orientation

In San Gemini, the day before classes begin, we conduct a 2-hour orientation and invite all participants and staff to a welcoming reception. The orientation is designed to help students navigate their stay in San Gemini as smoothly as possible. Issues covered in orientation include: accommodations, linen, laundry, kitchen, electricity, environmental considerations, trash and recycling, the classrooms, the office, class schedules, food, open-market, stores, restaurants, swimming pool, money, telephones, internet, public transport, local laws, safety, local customs and practices, medical services, insurance, etc.

We coordinate Zoom calls with participants and staff members a month before programs begin in order to review the program, travel to San Gemini and answer any questions.

We provide a travel logistics document that covers travel to San Gemini and other issues such as being a safe traveler, what to pack, money exchange, etc.

The first day of class includes an overview of the local history and a tour of San Gemini and the nearby ancient Roman town of Carsulae, both towns being integral to the programs’ field work.


Health and Safety Protocol

  • SGPS requires all students purchase comprehensive study abroad insurance from CISI.

  • Health and safety issues are reviewed during our orientation (see above).

  • Students are also asked to read and sign the rules and regulations and liability release form

Travel Abroad Advice for Participants

Italy is generally a very safe place. Nevertheless, you must be careful in some situations and watch out for pickpockets. This problem exists mostly at large train stations (Rome, Florence, Milan, Naples) and at some major tourist attractions. Unsuspecting tourists are prime targets.

San Gemini is a small, very safe town and you don't have any of these problems. However, you need to follow common sense precautions, such as: lock the doors when you leave the apartment and do not leave expensive equipment lying around unsupervised.

Things to do when traveling:

Always carry your passport and money in the front pocket of pants or inside pocket of jacket (close to your body and hard to reach).

  • Make sure that your luggage is always with you.

  • Do not carry expensive equipment in obvious camera or computer bags.

  • Never take rides from people offering a car service at rail stations, take only official taxi cabs.

  • Keep copies of your passport, credit cards and driver’s license both with you and at home.

  • Shoulder bags: do not put all your valuables in one wallet inside your bag. That is the first thing pickpockets take.

Below are some resources with advice for travelers, including individuals who self-define as BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and female. As many of these websites conclude, the best experiences and most meaningful connections when studying abroad come from having flexibility, an open mind, and a willingness to work to understand each other. Ultimately, it is up to the student to familiarize themselves with the culture and attitudes of a foreign country. Regardless of race, gender identity, or sexual orientation, when we meet new people and share new experiences, it is our similarities that we celebrate, and that help us look out for each other.

Frequently Asked Questions


Programs and Credits

How many students participate?

Can I apply to more than one program?

Must I enroll in the Intersession Preservation Tour?

How much experience is necessary to be accepted to the program? Should I apply?

Should I apply at College Level, Graduate Level or Audit?

How can I get credit for taking the program?

When will I find out if I have been accepted to the program?

Will SGPS help me get a job in conservation?

How can I find out more about the excavation at Carsulae?

The application deadline has passed, can I still apply?

Tuition, Fees and Payments

What are the costs for participating in the program?

What if I apply but miss paying the program deposit by March 15?

Is the deposit refundable?

Is financial aid available?

What are the forms of payment available? How do I pay by International Wire Transfers?

How can I send in the required documentation?

Transportation and Accommodations

Do I have to arrange for my own housing?

What are the accommodations like?

Do I pay for my airfare?

When should I book my flight?

How can I meet other students who may want to travel together?

Is it safe to travel in Italy?

What is the required insurance?

Any special required gear I need to bring?

Accommodations

Shared Housing

Participants stay in apartments or houses that are available in the town of San Gemini. The apartments vary as we renew rental contracts with whatever is available to us every year. The conditions can differ, but all provide basic, comfortable living conditions in the historic center of San Gemini. These shared rooms are priced affordably at $750 per program.

Most of the accommodations are in medieval buildings that have very thick walls, which can keep living quarters cool on hot days, but cold on wet days. Most do not have air conditioning. All accommodations are within walking distance to classrooms and the center of town.

Shared Housing Includes:

  • Shared bedrooms that can vary from two to three beds

  • Shared bathrooms

  • Kitchens with basic cooking utensils

  • Laundry (washing machine and hang-dry)

  • Weekly change of linen (bed sheets and one bath towel)

All-gender housing is available. This allows participants to reside with other participants regardless of sex assigned at birth, gender, gender identity, or gender expression. Participants can choose between Women Only, Men Only and All Gender choices of housing.

Single room accommodations

Private rooms within a shared apartment (sharing bathroom and kitchen) is also available. The fee for this option is an additional $250 per program ($1,000 total), but the cost will also depend on the availability.

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Meals and internet. In town there are several bars and excellent restaurants where students can relax and eat. There is free wireless internet available in Palazzo Vecchio, our main classroom and office. There is also free wireless available in the central piazza and in the 2 main bars/cafes. We cannot guarantee that there is internet available in every apartment.

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Private Apartment or Hotel Room

SGPS staff can assist in arranging for private housing options (minimum cost $1,300 plus $750 per guest per session).

If you are interested in finding out more information about other accommodation options, please contact Polly Withers at pwithers@iirpsemail.org. Please note that a 15% service fee will be charged for any special arrangements.

 

Academic Calendar

San Gemini Preservation Studies
Calendar academic year 2024-25

Deadline for Application Acceptance - deposit $450 plus $50 application fee
March 15, 2025

Review of applications
March 15 - 20, 2025

Communication of Acceptance
March 16 - 21, 2025

Students payment of Tuition & Housing
April 1st, 2025

Arrival in San Gemini - Session I Saturday May 31, 2024

Orientation Session I & Welcome reception Sunday, June 1, 2025 (4:00 PM)

Classes start Session I (Programs: A, B, & C)
Monday, June 2, 2025

Goodbye dinner Thursday, June 26, 2025

Last day of Class/Exam day Session I
Friday, June 27, 2025 (ends at 6:00 PM)

Departure day Session I
June 28 ,2025

Intersession period
June 28 - July 14, 2025

Intersession Preservation Tour
June 29 - July 9, 2025 (starts in San Gemini and ends in Rome)

Arrival Day Session II
July 12, 2025

Orientation Session II & Welcome Reception
Sunday, July 13, 2025

Classes Start Session II (programs: D&E)
July 14, 2025

Goodbye Dinner
Thursday, August 7, 2025

Last day of Classes/ Exams
Friday August 8, 2025

Departure Day Session II
August 9, 2025

Tuition and Program Fees

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10% Discount

Benefit from our discount on multiple program fees.

Apply for 2 programs we will deduct 10% from your 2nd tuition fee (a savings of $400).

Tuition to programs A, B, C, D, E and F includes:
Academic costs for the equivalent of 6 units, transportation during academic field trips within Italy that are part of that course, materials and tools (not personal tools), buffet reception, welcome packet, and final dinner.

Tuition for the Intersession Preservation Tour to Siena, Florence and Rome includes:
Academic costs, transportation, hotel accommodations and breakfast, museum tickets when part of organized academic tours, academic handouts and final dinner.  This trip is optional and not part of regular programs; students must enroll and pay for this program separately. 

Tuition for Programs or Preservation Tour does not include: Airfare to Italy, food, required insurance.

Deposit due and deadline for applications: March 15, 2025

Common Questions

What is the required insurance?

Is Financial Aid Available?

Are Deposits refundable?

What forms of payments are accepted?

Base Tuition: Programs A B C D E F

Academic Equivalent of 6 Units of Credit for 4 Weeks
Travel within Italy as part of program
Materials and tools
Buffet Reception
Final Night Dinner
Welcome Packet

Base Tuition $4,000

+ Shared housing for 4 weeks ($750)
+ Application fee ($50)

Total Cost: $4,800


Mandatory fees not included:
Health Insurance $56 per month

Intersession Preservation Tour

Academic Equivalent of 1 Unit Credit for 10 days
Transportation within Italy
Hotel and Breakfast
Academic Museum Tours
Welcome Aperitif and Final Night Dinner
Academic Handouts

Additional $2,800


Recommended Extras Not Included

Food (cooking) $10 to $15 per day
Food (restaurants) $15 to $30 per day
Certificate of Completion $20

Program D Only - Personal Tool Kit $280


important Notes

  1. All fees must be received in US dollars. It is very unlikely, but costs may vary from this estimate according to enrollment, currency fluctuations, or changes in prices. Final costs can be confirmed after March 15th.

  2. Personal tools: SGPS does not provide personal tools for students, such as: work gloves, safety boots, safety glasses, computer laptops or cameras. Please check the requirements of each course.

  3. Mandatory Health Insurance is not included in the program fees. SGPS coordinates this group coverage through CISI (Cultural Insurance Services International). Please do not purchase this individually.

  4. The “units” above are not university or college credits but are the equivalent in student work. Students getting credit from West Virginia University or their own university for participation in our programs may have extra fees to pay directly to the crediting institution.

Accreditation

SGPS is not an accredited university. Our courses are rated by units (equivalent to credit units). Participants receive a letter-graded evaluation and, if requested, an official certificate of completion ($20 extra fee to cover postage).

Participants that want to receive accredited college or university credit can apply to our program through West Virginia University (see below instructions). Many students are able to get independent study credit through their home universities and applicants should consult their study abroad advisor to see if that option is available to them.


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West Virginia University

In 2018, SGPS established relations with West Virginia University through which students participating in some of our courses are able to receive accreditation through the WVU Art History Department. You can apply online at their WVU Abroad page through this link. You will find there the opportunity to apply for programs A, B or C in Session 1 or programs D or E in Session 2. You can also apply to get credit for participating in the Intersession Preservation Tour. The deadline for applying through WVU is extended to March 23, 2025. The cost is to be determined (around $5,000) per program (not including airfare). This tuition fee covers:

  • WVU Course Credits

  • Lodging

  • Programmatic Academic Excursions

  • Comprehensive International Travel and Health Insurance.

Please contact Polly Withers, SGPS program manager, email: pwithers@iirpsemail.org, or WVU at EducationAbroad@mail.wvu.edu or Tel: (304) 293-7228, with any questions.

You can read about the experience last summer of students from WVU in the following article:
New GPS Program Teaches Restoration, Preservation in Italy


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University of Notre Dame

Also in 2018 we began a new collaboration with the University of Notre Dame School of Architecture on a new research project: the architectural and structural survey of the excavation site of the baths at the ancient Roman city of Carsulae. For more information on this project please visit our page: Program F 2020.

For further information about this collaboration with UND, please contact Polly Withers, IIRPS/SGPS program manager email: pwithers@iirpsemail.org.