Life in Rome: The 5th Dimension of Formation
- Sending and Receiving Mail
- Internet and Computer Concerns
- Electrical Items and Power Conversion
- Finances (Expenses / Loans)
- Laundry
- Communication Information
- Miscellaneous (Driver’s License, Insurance, Medical Concerns, Taxes and Voting)
Sending & Receiving Mail
There are two mailing addresses for the Pontifical North American College: one is in the Vatican City State and the other is in Rome, Italy.
All personal letters and boxes from your country of origin are to be sent to the Vatican City State address, which is as follows:
Mr. John Doe Seminarian
Pontifical North American College
00120 Vatican City State
Europe
It is imperative that you do not write “Rome” or “Italy” anywhere on the box or letter when using this address. Vatican City State is a different country than Italy. Your mail may get lost.
The Vatican Post Office often charges €3.00 for any small packages you receive here at the College. It also charges about €30 to €40 in customs charges for large shipments (such as when you move to the North American College). These fees are paid through your student account at the college.
A first-class airmail letter from the US will generally take between two weeks and a month to reach the College, except during the holidays when it may take longer. Mail sent by you through the Vatican Post Office will generally reach North America in about ten days. Current costs for mailing letters are around €2.50 for the United States and Canada and around €3.00 to Australia.
If you choose to send any documents to the College by courier (i.e. FedEx, UPS, DHL, etc.), such as your application documents, you should use the Roman address, which is as follows:
Pontifical North American College
Director of Admissions
Via del Gianicolo, 14
00165 Rome (RM)
Italy
These documents will clear customs more quickly upon arrival in Europe. You should expect documents shipped from Rome to the United States in this manner to cost around €20 and arrive in approximately four days. Finally, should you wish to buy books using Amazon, or some other internet vendor, and have them shipped directly to the College, you would use this Roman address and not the Vatican address.
Internet & Computer Concerns
It is highly recommended that you bring a computer. The current network is compatible with a variety of standard operating systems including Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. It is strongly recommended that you do any computer maintenance before you come to Rome. The work will be both cheaper and of better quality.
The entire campus is wireless, which works well in most areas of the house. Thus, while you may consider bringing an Ethernet cable (fifteen feet in length is sufficient), it is not necessary. Moreover, upon arrival you will receive access to your pnac.org internet account, which, if you so choose, can be linked to other, personal email accounts using an email client.
The internet at the College is filtered, but, of course, personal email is readily accessible, as well as Skype, WhatsApp, Apple iChat, Google Voice, FaceTime, video chat, etc. Phone calls to the USA with some of these online services (e.g. Google Voice) are currently free.
The North American College has ample printing facilities, both in the library and the computer lab. While it is not necessary to have a personal printer, some prefer to have their own. It is generally better to buy the printer after you arrive in Rome, since many brought from the United States will not work.
Electrical Items & Power Conversion
The European electrical system is different that the American electrical system. If you are interested in the details, the European electrical system runs on 220V at 50Hz, whereas the American electrical system runs on 110V at 60 Hz. Moreover, the shape of the outlets is different than those you will have found at home. Also note that because there is no standardization of electrical outlets in Italy, you may need to adapt your electronics in diverse ways even within the borders of Italy.
Depending on the device you are trying to use, power conversion will take one of two routes.
First, if the product is capable of running on either power system (like most laptops, tablets, and cell phones), all you will need is a plug adapter so that your American plug can fit into a European outlet. These are cheap and widely available both in the United States and here in Europe. You may also want to ask any diocesan brothers you have here at the College if there are extra plug adapters available through the communal items (what you may hear called “patrimony”) of your diocese.
Second, if the product is only able to accept power in 110V, it requires a power transformer as well as a plug adapter in order to be used here in Italy. Power transformers can be heavy and expensive. Thus, it is not recommended that you purchase one unless you have multiple or indispensable devices that require power at 110V. Should you choose to purchase a power transformer, you will need to purchase a “step-down” or “step up/down” transformer (Here is an example). Moreover, be sure that the transformer you purchase will be able to supply the proper amount of wattage for the devices you will be plugging into it (and about 20 percent more than that, to be safe). Please note that because of the way power converters work, you will not be able to use any electronic device that requires electricity at 60 Hz. You will damage the item by plugging it into a European outlet.
American power strips will work here in Italy. What will not work, however, are American power strips that have a built-in surge protector. European power flow is twice that of American and the surge protector will immediately turn the power strip off when you plug it in, mistakenly registering that there has been a power surge. It is possible to buy Italian power strips and Italian surge protectors should you desire them.
One convenient product is a power strip that can take American plugs and can plug into an Italian/European outlet (https://goo.gl/3i49N0). Electrical products such like this typically require another adaptor to physically fit into the outlet due to a difference in the size of the prongs, however those are easily bought at convenience stores here.
Finances
Expenses
Items in Western Europe, especially in wealthier nations, will be more expensive than in America. As a general rule, expect things to cost about 25 percent more in Europe than in the United States.
Many students find that Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted. Moreover, as in the United States, there are ATMs (Bancomats) throughout the major cities of Europe. With regard to credit and debit cards there are several things to keep in mind. First, notify your bank that you will be living in another country so that they do not think someone has stolen your credit card, in which case they will freeze your account. You should also speak with your bank to know if they have any particular suggestions for you with regard to their service while you are overseas. Third, make sure that if there is a PIN associated with your card it is composed only of numbers. Occasionally Italian card readers will not accept PINs with letters. Fourth, you should be aware that credit card companies generally charge about a five percent fee on purchases made in a foreign currency. If possible, get a credit card with no foreign exchange fees and no annual fee (e.g. Visa BankAmericard Travel Rewards). You may need a parent to co-sign, in some cases, to get the card. Please note that the credit card needs to have a security chip to be useable across Europe. Also, if possible, get an ATM card that has no foreign exchange fees, and no ATM fees, & reimburses ATM fees charged by the ATM owner (e.g. Charles Schwab Bank Visa Debit). This will probably get you a better rate for getting cash than even the NAC offers.
The College is capable and happy to do money exchanges for you. Thus, it is not necessary to travel to Europe with a large quantity of pre-exchanged cash. The easiest way for the College to provide you with cash is for you to write them a check from your American bank account. Thus, it is recommended that you bring a large quantity of extra checks with you in order to make it easier to obtain cash while here in Rome.
It is worth noting that car rental companies, as a rule, only accept credit cards. Hotels are often this way as well. Thus, if you do not have a credit card (that is, just a debit card), you may consider obtaining one before moving to Rome.
You will not be able to start an Italian bank account, since Italian banks do not consider the College a permanent residence.
The College encourages travel, particularly at Christmas and Easter. Moreover, there are approximately seven other weekends during which travel is permitted. Generally, students estimate that a week spent outside of Italy will range between $500 and $1000, depending on your frugality, accommodations, and other factors. It costs less to travel for a weekend or a few days, but it is reasonable to expect the cost of such trips to be about $100 per day. Even if one decides to limit travel, it is wise to expect to pay about €300 to €500 to establish yourself here in Rome, taking into account furniture, converters, lamps, and other essentials.
Students may find it helpful to set up a Venmo account. This can be a helpful to split costs and provide reimbursements especially when doing things in the city/travelling with others. If you choose to use it, make sure to setup Venmo before you leave, because you need a mobile phone number from the US (not a Google Voice number) to activate it.
It should be mentioned that most dioceses provide a stipend to their seminarians in order to help cover these costs. If you are concerned about funding you should speak with your diocese about extra support, at least to make the move here and establish yourself. Stipend values range widely, but a reasonable average is about $350 per month. Aside from diocesan money it is also often possible to contact a Knights of Columbus, Serra Club, or parish in your diocese for support.
Loans
It is best to take care of loans and similar concerns before moving to Rome. Any seminarian who will be applying for a loan guaranteed by State Agencies or insured by the Federal Government should certainly apply for the loan before coming here. If you are not sure whether you are eligible, you can apply online using the free application forms at fafsa.ed.gov.
Any loan deferment applications that need to be authorized should be forwarded to Maria Soggiu (msoggiu@pnac.org), who is secretary to the Vice Rector. Please note also that you can handle this once you arrive, however it is advisable that you at least bring the deferment forms with you should this matter need to be addressed immediately.
Our government OPE-ID number is 009906-00. This will be listed under “North American College”.
You may also ask a local council of the Knights of Columbus if they will assist you with student loans. Alternatively, you may wish to contact the Knights’ main office for student loans at the following address:
Knights of Columbus
Student Loan Committee
1 Columbus Plaza
New Haven, Connecticut 06510-3326
Laundry
You will have access to a large laundry room containing washing machines, dryers, irons, and ironing boards, detergent, fabric softener, and bleach, all of which are free of charge. The student store at the College (KNAC) also has special black-preserving detergent available for purchase. You are also free to purchase Italian washing products as well. Dry cleaning, while not free, is easily facilitated through the college and generally takes about four days.
Communication Information
House/Room Phones
The phones of the College are wired for VoIP calling. This is an internet-based phone system that allows calls at the College to be made from, or received at, a Washington D.C. area code. This makes the calling charge essentially equivalent to a domestic long distance call, except if you live in Canada or Australia. The process for making calls, as well as the number of your room phone for receiving calls, will be explained in greater detail upon arrival. Each student at the College has a personal room phone, personal phone number, and personal voice mailbox. This is a very convenient option for calling home.
Cell Phones
When coming to the NAC, there are two questions to consider: 1) Do I want European cell service while I’m at the NAC? and 2) Do I want to keep my American cell phone number active?
- For European cell service, there are many low-cost carriers which generally are significantly cheaper than paying for international service with your American provider. Shortly upon arrival at the NAC, your orientation group will take you to a phone company location where most new men elect to sign up for Italian cell service. Illiad offers 100 GB of data with unlimited call/text for 10 Euro/month. They offer both physical SIM and eSIM cards to work with your current phone. If you plan to get Italian service and want to use your current phone, be sure to check with your American service provider and ensure your phone is unlocked. Sometimes, providers will not unlock phones for use with other SIM cards until the phone contract is paid off. (You may also choose to buy a cell phone to own outright: three-generation old iPhones can be found used for $200 on sites such as Swappa.com)
- Many new men choose to keep their American cell phone number active. This can be done in a few ways: a) by continuing to pay for service on your current plan; this works well if you are part of a family plan or have no financial incentive to cancel your current service, or b) by porting your American cell number to a free service like Google Voice which allows you to make and receive calls over WiFi or the cellular data provided by your Italian service.
Many of you may already have phones that will work in Europe (4G or better). Most smartphones should already be unlocked and capable of working abroad (if they are paid in full). You need to check with your wireless carrier before you leave America. Once you arrive in Europe, you may not be able to unlock your phone. If you happen to be in a contract for your current phone, you could consider giving it to someone at home who could use it until the contract has expired. Similarly, you could request a signed letter from your diocese indicating your “transfer” overseas. Many phone companies will allow you to break your contract if your “company” relocates you outside of the country.
Details on options that many seminarians use:
- Italian phone plans: Iliad, TIM, or Vodafone – are very cheap (around €9-15 per month) These plans vary but the even the most basic plans provide more GBs than most seminarians use
- Google Voice: allows you to keep your American number which is very helpful to stay in touch with friends and family who already have your American number. NOTE: when you import your number to Google Voice, you can no longer use the same number on your normal phone plan, so do this three days before you leave the United States. Google Voice is free and can be used with cellular data. Example: if you get Italian service through Illiad, you now can make local calls in the EU through your new Italian number. Calls sent to your American number on Google Voice are routed through over the Illiad cellular data. Your friends back home calling your American don’t know the difference.
- Project Fi: you can keep an American number and is very useful for international travel, though you have a limited selection of Google phones you can use and can be expensive
Internet Communication
You can use Skype, FaceTime, or other equivalent programs without much difficulty. WhatsApp and Viber are also very good options that can be used on a mobile phone or with their Desktop applications, but should be set up before arriving in Rome if you wish to use your American number. Apple’s iMessage also works well. If you are bringing your iPhone to Rome, one thing you may want to do is update your contacts and add the country code (+1 for the US and Canada; +61 for Australia) to them so that you don’t experience issues with contact names not showing up in your messages if you get an Italian plan.
Driver’s license
It is not necessary to obtain an Italian driver’s license. Though, you should get an International Driving Permit (IDP), which is required by law in Italy and many countries in Europe in order to drive legally in conjunction with a valid drivers license. There are a few options to get your IDP, but the easiest is through AAA. You don’t need to be a AAA member and the IDP only costs $20 dollars. Rental car companies will accept your American license no matter how long you have been outside of America. If your license is set to expire while you are in Rome it is best to renew it before you leave. It may also be a good idea to learn how to drive a standard transmission vehicle. Rental car companies in Europe do have automatic transmission vehicles for rent, but they are often more expensive.
Insurance and Medical Records
It would be a good idea to make sure that you are up to date on your medical and dental care before you arrive. This may help prevent having to go to the hospital while you are here. You should also bring any relevant medical records with you to the College. No immunizations are necessary in order to live in Italy and any immunizations that may be required for work in Africa or Asia are easily obtained here through the infirmary.
Medical Concerns
Students who wear glasses are encouraged to bring a second pair with them in case of damage or loss. Those who wear contacts should also bring a pair of glasses. In both cases, students should remember to bring a copy of their prescription. Regular lens cleaning solutions can be purchased at the College. It is available in Rome as well, but it can be expensive. Those with sensitive eyes requiring special solutions are especially advised to bring their own supply, since special solutions are not easily available in Rome.
The College has an infirmary which is equipped to provide for some basic medical needs and is designed to provide short-term in-patient care (flu, cold, etc.) as well as emergency first aid. The Sisters of Mercy of Alma staff the infirmary. What cannot be done in the infirmary the sisters are able to arrange for you in the city through competent, English-speaking physicians.
Any students who have special medication should bring a three-month supply of it with them. Also, their physician should indicate the generic name, not the trade name, of the prescription so that substitutions can be made if necessary (if a generic prescription can be taken). Shipping prescription medications from back home may be impossible or take a long time due to customs. Prescriptions written by a doctor in the US cannot be filled by a pharmacy in Rome. Students will have to visit a doctor in Rome to get a new prescription should this become necessary.
It might be helpful to bring a supply of a few non-prescription medicines (e.g., Tylenol, aspirin, cold medicine, sinus medicine, anti-acids, etc.), as some may be expensive or difficult to find in Rome. Special diets are easily handled by the refectory.
Taxes
Americans are still required to file and pay US Federal and State Income Tax. How your diocese reports your stipends as income will determine which tax forms you will need. You can e-file taxes online with services like TurboTax. You can contact an accountant, H&R Block Representative, or the IRS for proper forms and details. It may be helpful to have information from previous tax returns. Canadians should make inquiries with Revenue Canada and make arrangements for their tax return to be filed by proxy in Canada, or they should plan on doing their taxes in Rome.
Voting
In order to vote in any elections in the United States, you will need an absentee ballot. The process is simple and can be found online.
