You must have a valid passport that remains valid for at least six months beyond your return date. Passport processing can take 2–3 months, so start early. Make a photocopy of your passport and keep it with your Urbino dorm address in your suitcase.

No, a visa is not required for stays under 90 days within Schengen countries. Program dates are designed to respect this limit.

Yes. An Italian data plan is required for safety and communication with your university, GEV staff and classmates.

GEV primarily uses WhatsApp. A pre-departure chat will be created before travel, which will later become the emergency communication channel.

No. They do not work in Italy. Use your mobile data or Wi-Fi instead.

GEV Italy Wi-Fi – available in classrooms, offices, and Palazzo Chiocci (passwords provided upon arrival).

EDUROAM – available in Serpentine dorms (registration instructions given upon arrival).

Pack light and practical: bring plug adapters (for 220V), a rain jacket, comfortable shoes, and all prescription medication for your stay. Keep essentials in your carry-on. For electronics, buy hair dryers or straighteners in Italy—they’ll match the voltage.

Weather changes a lot during the semester so be prepared for both warm and cold. Don’t bring too many clothes but make sure you have a waterproof jacket and shoes. Also bring modest clothing for church visits (shoulders and legs need to be covered).

Bring your smartphone and laptop, wired earbuds (3.5mm jack) for whisper units, and copies of important documents. Sheets and towels are provided.

Even though it isn’t necessary to know Italian language, it helps to know at least some of it. Knowing some Italian language will help you immersing yourself in the local culture and enjoying your study abroad on another level.

All international flights land at Terminal 3. Go through passport control, collect your luggage, and report missing bags immediately. If bags must be delivered later, use this address:
First Name + Last Name – GEV Group
c/o Collegio Tridente
Via Giancarlo De Carlo 7
61029 Urbino (PU), Italy

After collecting, exit Terminal 3, turn right, and walk ~500 feet to the bus area. Staff (Prof. Murphy, Roberta, or GEV team) arrive around 12:00–12:30 pm and check-in starts around Column 20 (or other columns nearby) near the buses. Always check for updates on the pre-departure group chat.

Message your pre-departure WhatsApp group immediately. Staff will coordinate your arrival.

Go immediately to the lost luggage office, fill out their form and use this as delivery address to get it back (make sure you write down “GEV Group” next to your name!):

First Name + Last Name – GEV Group
c/o Collegio Tridente
Via Giancarlo De Carlo 7
61029 Urbino (PU), Italy

The trip takes about 4.5 hours, with a rest stop halfway.

Taxi: €60–80 from Pesaro to Urbino (confirm fare beforehand; Pesaro Taxi +39 0721 454425).

Bus: From Pesaro station, take Adriabus Linea Verde (LV) to Urbino. Buy tickets at the ticket office or nearby cafés and tobacco shops and validate them on board. Buses arrive at Santa Lucia Parking Lot, from where taxis can take you to your dorm (€10–20).

If you arrive after 7:30 p.m., take a taxi to Urbino—it’s the safest option.

GEV stands for Global Education Ventures. It is a private company that collaborates with the University of Urbino and other Universities around the world, usually from the US, to organize study abroad programs in Urbino. GEV staff members are Mirko Marinelli (CEO of Global Education Ventures), Roberta Cossu Berte (lead staff member and hotel comms leader), Minerva Rotatori (staff member and Palazzo Chiocci comms leader), Vittorio Gamboni (staff member and Serpentine comms leader).

• Office and chat availability hours: 9:00am–6:00pm Monday to Thursday, 9:00am–1:00pm Friday.
• Classrooms: dedicated classrooms, projectors, printers, Wi-Fi, vending machines.
• Trips: bus coordination, hotel booking, check-in/out, assistance with museum entry, and 24-hour availability for emergencies.
• Assistance to faculty: logistics for Urbino and academic trips; support with museums and educational tours (GEV does not organize academic programs nor private trips).
• Assistance to students: information on public transportation and trains (GEV does not organize private trips); support with accommodations, health issues and emergencies.
• Emergency availability: 24/7, by phone call only (regular or WhatsApp call).
• Technical support: for malfunctions in office, classrooms or accommodations.
• Housing: provides accommodations and laundry info (see housing details).
• Cafeteria: help using the cafeteria service.
• Language: support to reduce any language barrier.

Students stay in:
• Palazzo Chiocci – Piazza Gherardi 7 (city center, about 15 minutes from classrooms)
• Serpentine Dorms – Via Giancarlo De Carlo (campus area, right next to classrooms, about 15 minutes from city center)
• Hotels – some students will stay in hotels located in the city center (about 15 minutes from classrooms)

Rooms (single, double, or triple) include desks, closets, linens, and towels. Weekly cleaning is provided. Kitchenettes and laundry rooms are available in both dorms. First supply of hand soap and toilet paper is always provided.

• No parties, smoking, or guests.
• Quiet hours must be respected.
• Do not decorate walls with posters, stickers, etc.
• Keep rooms tidy; staff clean common areas weekly.
• Unacceptable behaviors may lead to sanctions, including program and facility dismissal.

Laundry is not included in the price.
Palazzo Chiocci: Coin-operated machines in the basement. You can get coins in GEV office during office hours.
Serpentine: App-operated washers and dryers. You can top up your electronic wallet with credit card.

A refundable housing/classroom damage deposit, collected at orientation and returned at semester’s end if no damage occurs. In case of damage a fee might be charged from the deposit.

• Conad in the center of town is an easy place to get most groceries.
• The mall in Porta Santa Lucia has a bigger supermarket (Coop) and a housewares store.
• There is a supermarket (A&O) near campus, reachable on foot through the woods.
• Amazon.it (con pickup location in centro) per forniture varie.
• Post office in Via Donato Bramante (ATM esterno affidabile).
• Degusteria Raffaello per prodotti tipici.
• Farmer’s market in Piazza Raffaello il sabato mattina.

Yes, if it doesn’t interfere with your coursework. Best time is during spring/fall break. Several accommodations are available in Urbino. No one is allowed in the dorms except assigned students.

GEV Office and Classrooms: Collegio Aquilone, Via Cappuccini 15, Urbino
Cafeteria: Tridente Building (campus) or Mensa del Duca (city center)
Dorms: Palazzo Chiocci (city center), Serpentine (campus), hotels (city center)

Attendance is mandatory. You’ll meet staff and professors, tour the city and university, and receive a packet with safety guidelines, maps, and schedules. You’ll also sign required forms: Behavior Contract, Waiver of Liability, Housing Agreement.

Roberta Cossu Berte, Mirko Marinelli, Minerva Rotatori, and Vittorio Gamboni. Office hours: Mon–Thu 9am–6pm, Fri 9am–1pm (closed weekends). For emergencies after hours: phone calls only (no texts).

Tridente Cafeteria (on campus) or Mensa del Duca (city center). Students receive up to 120 meals through a meal app, valid for lunch or dinner every day.

Usually at least one of the two cafeterias is open all week for lunch (12–2) and dinner (7–9).

No, it’s valid only in Urbino’s cafeterias. During trips you’ll pay your own meals.

Do not send packages directly to dorms. Use the following instructions depending on your dorm:

Palazzo Chiocci dorm
For packages: choose a Pickup Location in the city center when available (e.g., Amazon).
For letters/postcards and for packages only if there is no pickup option:
First Name + Last Name + GEV Group
c/o Palazzo Chiocci
Piazza Gherardi 7
61029 Urbino (PU), Italy

Serpentine dorm
First Name + Last Name – GEV Group
c/o Collegio Tridente
Via Giancarlo De Carlo 7
61029 Urbino (PU), Italy

Hotels
Contact the hotel reception directly.

Via Bramante 28, Urbino. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30am–7pm, Sat 8:30am–12:30pm.

Yes, via Poste Italiane. You’ll fill out customs forms and list all contents. Use your Erdis cafeteria username as “codice fiscale” if asked.

Bring about €200 in cash upon arrival. Use ATMs for withdrawals (VISA and Mastercard accepted). Notify your bank before traveling to avoid card blocks. American Express is rarely accepted.

It depends on how much you travel and shop. Budget for meals during trips (the meal plan covers Urbino only), laundry, optional excursions, and extra-curricular courses.

• Pharmacy: minor issues; pharmacists can suggest medication.
• Campus doctor: Tue/Thu 4–7pm, free; over-the-counter only.
• Guardia Medica: Sun–Fri 8pm–8am, Sat 10am–8pm (~€20).
• Specialist: pay and seek reimbursement (~€100–150).
• Emergency: dial 112, then inform professor & GEV staff.

Passport: report to Italian Authorities and contact the nearest Embassy/Consulate.

Purse/backpack: report to the Italian Authorities.

Train: ask a GEV staff member for help recovering items when possible.

From Palazzo Chiocci and hotels: walk (~15 minutes) or take a local bus from Borgo Mercatale to campus (ticket ~€1.50; buy in advance from tobacco shops and validate on board).

From Serpentine dorm: right next to the library and classrooms (~2 minutes).

Pesaro: Bus from Santa Lucia → Pesaro Station, LR (Linea Rossa) or LRF (Linea Rossa Festiva).
Fano: Line 25V (to Fano) and 25R (return).

Use trains and planes. Trains via Trenitalia.com, Italotreno.com or Thetrainline.com. Prefer fast Frecciarossa when possible. Budget flights from Bologna, Ancona or Forlì. Check-in online and print tickets.

Check with your professor in advance for safety/policy reasons.

All travel forms are managed by Dr. Murphy, Executive Director of UTSA GSC Italy.

Bus schedule: shared in a Google Drive folder with other useful files.

Trains: Trenitalia.com, Italotreno.com, Thetrainline.com (+ relative app).

In central Italy’s Marche region, 20 miles from the Adriatic coast. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Urbino sits 1,600 ft above sea level and has about 15,000 residents.

It was the Renaissance court of Duke Federico da Montefeltro, and the birthplace of Raphael.

Compact, walkable center, lively student life, rich cultural atmosphere.

1506. Today about 15,000 students in 10 colleges.

Giancarlo De Carlo, integrating buildings with the landscape.

Expect to walk everywhere, use public transport, and adapt to slower rhythms and traditional customs.

Yes! GEV organizes tours, cultural classes, and local experiences in the Montefeltro region. Reservations are made during the first week.