Finding a roof over your head is one of the first things you need to do when you arrive.
Students can start signing up to visit apartments from August 15; you have to be here in person to sign up. Raffaella at the reception will direct you to the sign-up sheet. Then starting on August 16 Salvatore will take students on tours to look at apartments.
August 15 is a major holiday in Italy -- Ferragosto -- and most bolognesi will be out of town. The city will be very quiet that day and most shops will be closed. Some will remain shuttered for longer that week or perhaps for the entire week. But don't worry because you will find places to do your shopping or to eat.
How do students nail down apartments?
SAIS Bologna works with a housing consultant, Salvatore, who has helped SAISers find apartments for more than three decades. (You may remember he helped my colleague Nelson Graves find a flat when he was a student at SAIS).
One is not required to use Salvatore's service. You can find accommodation on your own. If you decide to go that route, it's easier if you speak some Italian.
 |
| Smile and the world smiles with you |
August 15 is a major holiday in Italy -- Ferragosto -- and most bolognesi will be out of town. The city will be very quiet that day and most shops will be closed. Some will remain shuttered for longer that week or perhaps for the entire week. But don't worry because you will find places to do your shopping or to eat.
Housing works on a first-come, first-served basis. Be sure you sign up for a housing tour as soon as you arrive. Salvatore normally manages to show students the available rooms within a day or two. Then the ball is in your court.
Once you find the place you like, you'll be required to sign a contract. You will be asked to pay a one-time finder's fee, a deposit and the first month's rent. Be sure you come prepared and that you also bring your passport and visa.
How do students who want to share an apartment find a housemate or housemates?
Some students already know each other, but many don't. Some will meet through the Facebook group that has been formed for the incoming class.
You'd be amazed by the number of life-long friendships that have been formed because people were standing in the line together waiting to view one of Salvatore's apartments.
You'd be amazed by the number of life-long friendships that have been formed because people were standing in the line together waiting to view one of Salvatore's apartments.
Here is a video that shows how some of this year's students found accommodation last fall.
The cost of housing is spelled out in our Incoming Student Guidebook. Pretty important reading.
Amina Abdiuahab
Amina Abdiuahab
5 comments:
Well, I have two questions: do we have to pay the deposit and rent in cash? And I didn't get how to find a roommate. In case I don't know anyone by the time I get there, what happens? Can we rent a room in an apartment or do we have to, somehow, organize ourselves in groups to rent one flat? If this is how it should be done, how does it happen with people who don't know each other yet?
Ana Luiza.
Ana Luiza - Thank you for your questions. Salvatore will certainly accept cash but we're not sure what other ways can be used to pay. We will check and get back to you. As for finding roommates, most people find them from among classmates after arriving in Bologna and even during the search. In my case, I found my two roommates while we were standing in line to sign up to look at apartments -- and we are still friends three decades later. The Facebook group may be a way to find classmates with similar interests and tastes.
I've checked with Salvatore. One can pay the deposit and rent with cash, a check or a bank transfer, but not credit cards. For more information, one can contact the Business Office at SAIS Bologna.
Thank you very much, Nelson. The bank transfer will make things easier. I'm still a little anxious about the roommate issue. However, if everybody needs one or a couple of them and (I guess) most people, like me, don't know anyone from the group yet, it will probably work out fine somehow, right? :-)
Ana Luiza - Everyone is pretty much in the same boat. To ease your anxiety, make use of the Facebook group to introduce yourself. If everyone does that, the class will have a sense of itself even before arriving here. It will work out.
Post a Comment