Cultural Life: 

Green landscapes and enchanting medieval villages characterize the Tuscia and its capital. It's an oasis of good food and relaxation, situated between the legacies of the Etruscans and the Via Francigena, where the rhythms of life from the mountains to the sea are dictated by nature and the ancient custom of peasant life. Located between the southern borders of the Tuscan Maremma and Rome, Viterbo and Upper Lazio are characterized by a landscape of volcanic origin with the lakes of Bolsena and Vico having formed in ancient extinct craters. Flat in the north, the land becomes more hilly up towards Mount Cimino, then sloping down to the Tiber river. Beech trees dot the higher areas, while oaks and chestnut trees inhabit the lower altitudes. A sandy shoreline and the Mediterranean bush characterize the area of the coast with its crystal clear sea. Among the destinations on the coast, Tarquinia Lido offers tourists the chance to swim in limpid waters, a vast panorama from the top of the Tarquinia Alta hill and the presence of an Etruscan necropolis with about 200 graves, where there are paintings representing the most conspicuous legacy of Etruscan art. The archaeological site was included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites. Many archaeological finds unearthed during excavations are kept in the Museo Archeologico Nazionale (National Archaeological Museum) housed in Palazzo Vitelleschi, considered one of the most important museums in Italy dedicated to the Etruscans. Ancient Tuscia is still shrouded in the mystery that surrounds the Etruscan civilization, prevalent feature of this territory, the remains of which can be seen in the necropolis of Norchia and Castel d'Asso, or in the archaeological sites of Ferento and Acquarossa. In the capital Viterbo, the beautiful historic center has been preserved and comprises the old urban core enclosed by the town wall, while the modern, commercial and industrial part is close to the defensive walls. In the central Piazza S. Lorenzo are located the Cathedral, built in the 12th century, and the Palazzo dei Papi (Popes' Palace), residence for the popes since 1255 and remembered as the site where the longest and most disputed conclave in history took place. Not far away is Piazza del Plebiscito with the Palazzo dei Priori, considered the historical, social and institutional center of the city, and connected by the Pinacoteca (Art Gallery) to the Palazzo del Podestà of medieval origin. Not far from Viterbo is located the town of Tuscania, which boasts a striking presence of Etruscan remains and necropolis. Worth a visit are the characteristic churches of Santa Maria Maggiore, the oldest place of worship of Tuscania dating from the sixth century, with beautiful decorations in the interior, and St. Peter's at the top of the hill overlooking the village and built in the 8th century. Viterbo is an ideal starting point for sightseeing tours and excursions following archaeological and historical itineraries such as those that wind along the route of the Via Francigena (Francigena Way), over the centuries taken by pilgrims who from the north would head for Rome. From Proceno to Acquapendente, from Bolsena to Montefiascone and then, again, past the Cimini mountains, the trail would continue to Vetralla, Capranica, Sutri and Monterosi. In the province are also worth a mention the village of Bagnaia and the famous Villa Lante, a wonderful example of late Renaissance residence with an Italian garden, whose design is attributed to Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola as well as that of the Palazzo Farnese in Caprarola, another example of Renaissance pentagonal residence. Well worth a visit also the Parco dei Mostri (park of Monsters) of Bomarzo, a large park with gardens, buildings and fantastic sculptures, and the ancient village of Montecalvello, which rises around a castle where the famous Balthus, a contemporary painter, lived for thirty years. The particular shape and variety of the land makes it ideal for hiking and all outdoors activities among the beech trees that populate the higher areas and oak and chestnut trees that characterize the lower altitudes. The lakes of Bolsena, with the beautiful islands of Martana and Bisentina, and Vico are ideal for relaxing holidays or to practice water sports, sailing and canoeing, as well as horse riding. Lake Vico, which lies within a nature reserve, is equipped to offer hiking, mountain biking and horse riding along paths that cross a nature of great charm. One of the main attractions of the area are the spas, known since antiquity. Frequented by the Etruscans, the baths of Viterbo were expanded by the Romans, so that the remains of their structures occupy an area 11 kilometers long. In medieval times they became a favorite destination of many popes for the treatment of various conditions thanks to the properties of mud and water. The three best known are the springs of Aquae Passeris, Paliano and Bullicame, quoted by Dante in the Divine Comedy and also portrayed in a famous painting by Michelangelo. Today the famous Terme dei Papi offers a pleasant stay for cures and relaxation. Among the festivals and popular fairs, the best known and most spectacular event celebrated each year in Viterbo is the Festa di Santa Rosa (September, 03), the city's patron saint whose remains are kept in the Duomo. For the occasion, a hundred people carry on their shoulders a structure lit by torches and lights, about thirty meters high and weighing five tons, on a journey of just over a kilometer through the narrow and steep streets of the old town. After the procession, the simulacrum of Santa Rosa can be visited for a few days. Also characteristics are the events taking place in Soriano nel Cimino, including the sagra delle castagne (festival of chestnuts) and the Palio delle Contrade (tournament of the city wards), during which the town is divided into four zones that compete in archery tournaments and ring jousting. In Tarquinia the Festa della Merca is held, with contests of dexterity in cowboy fashion and cowherds branding cattle. For more information: http://www.italia.it/en/home.html

Health Insurance: 

MEDfOR students are covered by an insurance scheme in line with the insurance requirements for Erasmus Mundus students set by the European Agency EACEA.
Full details are provided in the general conditions you can find here:http://ec.europa.eu/education/programmes/mundus/insurance_en.html
The MEDfOR Consortium has signed an agreement with the insurance company:
Marsh (S.A.-N.V.) Boulevard du Souverain 2, B-1170 Brussels, BELGIUM
The EMIS 2 contract provides each student with an insurance scheme fully compliant with EACEA minimum requirements.
Please click here ( https://www.marshconnect.eu/emis2MC.htm) for more information.

Housing: 

Students might have the opportunity of reserving a room in the residence at the University Youth Hostel. Otherwise the International Relations Office will possibly provide you with a list of private accommodation at your arrival. All the rooms at the students' hostel are individual with private bathroom and fully equipped with blankets, bed sheets and pillows, towels are not provided. WI-FI internet connection is available in all the building. The furniture in each room is made of one single bed, one desk and a closet. In every floor there is one common kitchen. Meals are not included. A students' restaurant is located just in front of the residence. The cost for each meal is about 6 €, breakfast is not served at the students’ restaurant.

Language Courses: 

The International Relations Office in cooperation with the University Language Centre organizes Italian Language courses for all incoming students at the beginning of each semester. Courses are divided into two levels: Elementary (50 hours) and Intermediate/Advanced (50 hours). An assessment test will be held at the beginning of the course and each student will be assigned to his suitable course. Courses are free of charge for Erasmus students.

Residence Permit: 

Within 8 working days of arrival, all NON-EU citizens who hold a valid student visa for Italy must apply for a permit of stay for study purposes (Permesso di soggiorno per motivi di studio). The permit of stay is issued by the local Police Department - Questura - Ufficio Stranieri - of the applicant's place of residence in Italy, however the applicant must submit his/her application at a competent Post Office Step 1: REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR POST OFFICE APPLICATION (Do NOT submit original documents in the post office application/kit) Completed Post Office Application/Kit Must complete Modulo 1- Form 1 of the yellow striped envelope application/kit for NON-EU citizens (available at the Post Office free of charge) Photocopy of acceptance letter / declaration of enrollment (sealed/stamped by the Italian Embassy /Consulate when entry visa was issued). Photocopy of the pages containing personal data + student Visa page of the passportor other equivalent document. You must present the original document when submitting the application at the Post Office. Photocopy of insurance policy or receipt of payment for Italian insurance policy, valid throughout the country and for the entire period of validity of the residence permit, for the risk of illness and injury (1) Photocopy of Financial Statement: document certifying adequate financial resources for the validity period of the residence permit ( € 5.577,00). Marca da Bollo (Italian Stamp: can be purchased at any tabacchi shop) of € 14,62. The Marca da Bollo will need to be placed on the completed permit of stay application. Receipt of payment of € 107,50 paid at the Post Office for the Electronic Permit of Stay (the payment form is included in the Post Office Kit) Application Fee: € 30,00 paid at the Post Office when submitting application After submitting the documents to the Post Office, the applicant should receive 2 documents: 1. A ricevuta (mod.22A, certified letter receipt) with the user ID and password needed to check the state of progress of the application online at http://www.portaleimmigrazione.it/. (click on "Area Riservata Stranieri") 2. A letter with the appointment date and time at the Police Station, Questura, for the final step in the procedure (if this letter is not given to the applicant at the Post Office it will be sent later on as certified mail, raccomandata *, to the applicant's address in Italy.) Step 2:DOCUMENTS REQUIRED AT THE QUESTURA UFFICIO STRANIERI (Local Police Station Immigration Office) Bring originals and photocopies of ALL your documents Passport or other equivalent document. Original acceptance letter / declaration of enrollment sealed by the Italian Embassy /Consulate when the entry visa was issued. 4 identical passport-size photographs. Original insurance policy or receipt of payment for Italian insurance policy, valid throughout the country and for the entire validity period of the permit of stay, for the risk of illness and injury (1) Original Financial Statement: document certifying adequate financial resources for the validity period of the residence permit (€ 5.577,00) For further information, please visit: http://www.portaleimmigrazione.it/, http://www.interno.it/, http://www.poste.it/, http://www.poliziadistato.it/

Sports: 

The CUS Viterbo is the biggest sport centre for students of Tuscia University and gives the opportunity to practice plenty of sports, on an agonistic level or as a simple hobby. The CUS specially organize sport activities for university students promoting the spreading of fitness activities on every level. The CUS manage directly the sport facilities in the University Campus: it has a full size grass pitch for football, two multi use indoor sports hall, an outdoor tennis court, a five-a-side football pitch and a boules pitch. Students are allowed to use free of charge the football pitches and the three tennis courts, every morning from 9:00 to 13:00. From 10:00 until 22:00 (Monday-Friday). Website -> http://www3.unitus.it/

Visa: 

info under development...