GENERAL
PREPARATIONS
LIFE IN GENOA
ARRIVAL in GENOA
Please send the Program Managers and your professors all travel information: who is traveling together, flight numbers, flight arrival time in Italy, estimated arrival in Genoa, if you are landing in Milan and taking a train to Genoa, etc. Plan to arrive in Genoa on Program Opening day (typically the Saturday before classes begin). Students may arrive up to 2 days early if communicated in advance (based on availability) and at their expense. Ensure you will have international data coverage on your phone during the time you land and when you arrive at the apartment.
In general, it is simplest to fly into either Milan or Genoa. In Milan there is Malpensa airport (MXP) and Linate airport (LIN). In Genoa there is Cristoforo Colombo International Airport (GOA).
YOU MUST GET YOUR PASSPORT STAMPED WHEN YOU ENTER THE SCHENGEN AREA: ITALY, FRANCE, GERMANY, SPAIN, ETC.
When you land in Italy or in a different Schengen area country, be sure you get your passport stamped showing date and place of 'entry'. This is essential for legal reasons to declare your 'presence' in Italy to the local immigration police. You must insist that you get the passport stamped if they don't do it at the passport control booth when you land in the Schengen area.
if you fly from the US directly to Italy (Rome or Milan - this is highly recommended) your passport will be stamped there (entering the Schengen area) and you will not need to go to the immigration police office.
if you fly from the US and arrive in a different Schengen area country (not Italy) your passport will be stamped there. You will then be required to go the immigration police office for the declaration of presence. We assist you with this process. Students in this situation MUST KEEP ALL TICKETS AND BOARDING PASSES!!! This is required by the Immigration police in order to have legal status in Italy.
ARRIVING IN GENOA FROM MILAN AIRPORTS
If you land in Milan there are shuttle buses that go from the airports (Malpensa or Linate) to Milano Centrale train station where you will take a train to Genoa (https://www.trenitalia.com/en.html).
Malpensa airport also has the Malpensa Express train that goes from airport to Milano Centrale train station (https://www.malpensaexpress.it/en/).
Taking a train from Milano Centrale
Your destination station is either Stazione Genova Piazza Principeor Stazione Genova Brignole.
There are 3 train types in Italy: Regionale (slower, cheaper), Intercity (faster, more expensive), or Freccia (high-speed, and the most expensive).
With a regional ticket you may need to validate your ticket in one of the yellow machines. Ask a Trenitalia agent if you are uncertain.
Remember: it takes about an hour to get from Malpensa airport to the Milano Centrale train station. It takes 1.5-2 hours to get from Milano Centrale to Genoa. Meaning 2.5-3 hours minimum of travel time, no waiting time included.
IF YOU FLY INTO GENOA
In general, there are two ways to get from the Genoa airport into the city: taxi or Volabus.
Taxi
There is a taxi stand outside the arrivals hall/baggage claim. You will be provided with the address for the meeting points for the various apartments.
Volabus
Volabus: Get off at stazione Genova Piazza Principe, then take a cab to your apartment.
Getting to your apartment:
The first person to arrive at each apartment will be given an address where to have a taxi take him/her to meet the housing agency personnel. They will then take the first arrival to the apartment, explain some basics, and leave you the keys. The other housemates are responsible for getting in touch with the 'first-arrival' in order to be let in. The first-arrival for each apartment must arrive at a reasonable hour (8 am - 9 pm) to be met by the housing agency personnel, otherwise he/she will need to organize his/her own first night's accommodation and meet the housing agency the following day.
DEPARTURE
You must be out of your apartment by noon on the Program Closure date. No one can stay in housing the night of the Program Closure date unless it is approved by housing agency (at student's expense).
You must clean your apartment before you go, which means empty the refrigerator and cabinets, and take out all trash and recycling. Tidy up bathrooms and kitchens. Linens will be washed by housing agency after you depart. Please leave the apartments in good order or you may forfeit your deposit. Last person leaving can leave apartment keys inside on a table.