Frequently Asked Questions

Have a question that’s not listed? Reach out to us and we’ll get back to you with an answer.

General

  • You can view the current application deadlines on our application page.

    If the application deadline has passed, you are still invited to submit an application then reach out to our team directly to discuss the option of a late add. We would be happy to accommodate your late application if possible.

  • L&LI maintains special billing relationships with some colleges and universities. These agreements facilitate the use of financial aid to cover the cost of L&LI programs. The terms of the agreements vary by school. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of their home institution’s current billing policies and agreements.

    Students attending a college or university that has a billing relationship with L&LI may pay their home institution directly for the study abroad program. L&LI will bill the students’ home institution for the L&LI Program Cost which includes tuition, room, and board. Students attending a college or university that does not have a billing relationship with L&LI will pay L&LI directly the full Program Cost. Payment of the full balance of the Program Cost is due 30 days prior to the program start date.

    See the full Payment and Refund Policy here.

  • L&LI has two institutions that provide academic oversight and accreditation. For the Ecuador and Italy programs, College of the Ozarks provides transcripts back to your home university. For the Baltimore program, Messiah University provides this service.

    You can read more about the details of how this works on the Accreditation page of our website.

  • You can view our full refund policy on our Payment Policies page.

  • In the event that L&LI needs to cancel or suspend a program prior to the start date, participants can:

    1. Transfer enrollment to an alternative program that has not been canceled (Italy, Ecuador, Baltimore). There are no change fees however students will be responsible for any difference in Program Cost. When transferring to a less expensive program, participants will receive a refund of the difference.

    2. Postpone their enrollment to a future semester in the same program. There are no fees associated with postponement. Any monies paid will be applied to the future program.

    3. Withdraw entirely from L&LI programs and receive a full refund.

    You can view our full Payment Policy here.

  • In the event that L&LI needs to cancel or suspend a program while it is already active, a full refund cannot be guaranteed. However, students can expect the following:

    1. L&LI will make every reasonable effort to recover costs for the canceled portion of the program and refund those monies to the student. However, L&LI pays the bulk of program costs, including but not limited to educational expenses, housing, health, safety and security and administrative costs upfront and before the program start date. These upfront payments are non-recoverable costs and are non-refundable.

    2. A partial refund may be issued based on what L&LI is able to recover.

    3. L&LI will provide regular and clear communication to students and their home institutions. Where possible, provide alternative options for completing course work and award academic credit. 

    You can view our full Payment Policy here.

  • Change in Program Design

    L&LI makes every effort to deliver all programs as published in web, print, and in-person advising. Occasionally, Changes in Program Design need to be made due to local or global circumstances. These changes may include but are not limited to trips and excursions, internship options, staffing, housing, and/or academic course offerings. Changing from in-person instruction to online instruction is considered a Change in Program Design. As long as Changes in Program Design are similar to original arrangements, no refund will be given. Determinations of similarity will be made at the sole discretion of L&LI.

    You can view our full Payment Policy here.

  • The health and safety of our students, staff, and local community are very important to us. L&LI has a robust set of procedures that are in place and are continuously being updated as local and global protocol changes.

Ecuador Programs

Summer and Semester

  • You do not need to apply for a visa prior to traveling to Ecuador with Living and Learning. You will receive a 90-day Tourist Visa upon entering Ecuador.

    If you are enrolled in the Fall or Spring semester, our staff facilitates a visa extension for all students to cover the days you are in Ecuador after your 90 days of the Tourist Visa.

    If you are enrolled in the Summer Program, the 90-day Tourist Visa will cover your entire stay.

  • Our recommendation is to find a good fare. American, Delta, and United will connect in the United States (Miami, Atlanta, or Houston). Avianca, Copa, and TAME will connect in Central America. All of them are good options. You will fly into Mariscal Sucre Airport in Quito (The airport code is UIO).

  • You should book your flight to arrive on the date our program starts. If the program dates are January 12-May 7 (for example) then buy your flight to arrive any time on January 12th, and leave anytime on May 7th. Remember that flights arriving from the US usually come in late at night—that is okay! We will be there to get you, even if your flight arrives at midnight on January 13!

    *Please note that if you plan to arrive early or leave late, L&LI will not provide housing or transportation. Housing and airport transportation are only covered during the posted program dates. You will be financially responsible for any costs you incur outside of program dates.

  • A leader from Living and Learning will be at the airport to meet you. The airport is easy and organized. You will land, go through immigration where they will stamp your passport. You will then claim your luggage and leave.Item description

  • Dietary Restrictions: Traveling overseas with any sort of food allergies and/or dietary restrictions is challenging, particularly in a developing country, and require careful planning, patience, and flexibility. L&LI can accommodate (during homestays, chapel, and on trips) vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, and/or nut-free diets. Students with additional food allergies and/or dietary restrictions (ie: vegan) other than those listed above, should 1) anticipate cooking for themselves, in addition to bringing or purchasing personal cookware if separate cookware is needed 2) plan on spending additional personal funds on food, and 3) understand that food options, at L&LI meals and at the grocery store, will be limited. Strict or life-threatening food allergies and/or dietary restrictions must be communicated to L&LI staff during the application process and as soon as possible.

    Physical Limitations: Traveling overseas with a physical disability and/or impairments is challenging. L&LI participants must possess the necessary physical capacity to safely perform the essential functions of a study abroad student with or without reasonable accommodations. L&LI is limited in providing reasonable accommodations; a developing country has physical barriers and structural obstacles in natural and manmade environments that prevent or block mobility and/or access. L&LI students must be able to stand for prolonged periods of time, walk for thirty minutes uninterrupted, possess the ability to transport themselves from one place to another in a timely manner (specifically on public transportation), and be able to carry at least twenty pounds. While the following is not an exhaustive list, participants will need to navigate these and other environments: uneven roads, dirt paths, stairs, steps, boarding and de-boarding a river canoe, boarding, and de-boarding a city trolly with a short window of time that doors stay open, etc. Physical disabilities and/or impairments are to be communicated to L&LI staff during the application process.

  • If you do not have one, ask your doctor for an International Certificate of Vaccinations with your inoculation record and keep this with you. It is a yellow passport-size booklet, obtainable either from a hospital or from the state board of health. Everyone, traveler or not, should be up to date on routine vaccinations. 

    ROUTINE VACCINATIONS

    • +MMR (measles/mumps/rubella)+varicella (if you have not had chickenpox)

    • tetanus-diphtheria (which should be administered every ten years)

    • various booster shots as directed by your doctor. ‍

    REQUIRED VACCINATIONS

    • Yellow Fever (Can be received in Ecuador during your semester, it tends to be cheaper there, and clinics have it around Quito)

    • Hepatitis A 

    • Hepatitis B

    OPTIONAL VACCINATIONS

    • Malaria is a parasitic blood disease characterized by fevers, chills, muscle aches, headache, and fatigue. Transmission of malaria occurs by the bite of an infected mosquito. It is critical for you to research and become informed of the risks associated with malaria and preventative measures against infection. Malaria medication is NOT required while traveling to Ecuador BUT please read malaria information on the CDC website. Discuss with your physician the risk of malaria in the areas you will be visiting weighed against the known side effects of anti-malarial drugs. Malaria Pills can be bought in Ecuador if you would like to wait to get them in the country.

    • Covid-19: As of now, Ecuador does not require the vaccine to enter the country, however, some internship sites may require it. If you are interested in knowing more or requesting and exemption, please contact the L&LI enrollment director.

  • Medical care is readily available and there is a large HCJB missionary hospital within 10-15 minutes of anywhere you will be in Quito. L&LI staff will stay with you throughout the entire experience you are sick.

  • Although the government changes and volcanoes make the news, we are safe here in Quito. There is occasionally “petty” crime like pick-pocketing, but there is not violent crime. Student safety is L&LI’s highest priority. Due to L&LI’s long experience with risk assessment, emergency preparedness, and crisis management, L&LI is able to adapt quickly to dynamic international challenges. Given that socioeconomic, political, environmental, and medical conditions vary, L&LI specifically tailors health, safety, and security measures to current circumstances.

  • In the United States & Ecuador:

    Phil Payne: President

    Phone - 1 (805) 823-5839

    Email - philpayne@livingandlearninginternational.com‍In

    In Ecuador:

    Meg van Rijn: Director of Operations

    Phone - 1 (602) 321-2420

    Email - megvanrijn@landli.org

    In the United States:

    Greg Belgum: VP of Strategic Partnerships

    Phone - 1 (408) 306-7073

    Email - gregbelgum@landli.org

  • Typical Ecuadorian food is rice, lentils, chicken and/ or beef. However, there are many different kinds of restaurants here and the food is excellent.

  • YES. We would recommend you bring one for writing papers for class and for keeping in communication with others in Ecuador and at home. The Internet will be provided in your apartment, at our offices, and in the Education Center. Most coffee shops and restaurants around Quito also have wifi.

  • You will be staying in a clean and safe apartment in Quito for most of your time. This apartment is well known to us and will be properly supervised by our staff. In programs that include a Homestay, students will transition to living with Ecuadorian families after a few weeks into the program. We know and trust these families and have worked with many of them for 5+ years. On program trips, we’ll stay in hotels and hostels that are well known to us.

    We will have buses for transportation. Quito also has a good public transportation system. Taxis are also available and reasonably priced.

Italy Semester Program

  • If you are an American citizen, you do not. Upon entry into Italy, a passport control officer will stamp your passport.  This stamp serves as your tourist permit.  Be certain that your passport is stamped.  If the official does not stamp it, you must request that it be stamped. (Don’t be shy about this.)  The stamp serves as your visa and permits you to be in Italy and the Schengen Treaty Countries for 90 days. When you leave Italy, the passport control may confirm the date of your entry stamp. Consequences for overstaying your tourist permit (the 90-day period) can be imprisonment, expulsion, fines, and/or a prohibition from returning to the Schengen Area for several years.

  • The airport you will be flying into is Rome–Fiumicino International Airport "Leonardo da Vinci" (FCO). You will want to look for and book flights after you decided to commit to joining us. The fares will vary in prices. A great app that you can download on your phone is called “hopper”- this app will help you figure out whether or not the flight is predicted to rise or if you should buy because it is at a good rate. Once you have purchased your flight, send over a screenshot of your reservation to us at info@landli.org.

  • You should arrive on the first day of the semester program. Fly out on the last day of the semester end date. As listed on the website for the appropriate semester.

    IMPORTANT: Due to visa restrictions in Europe, please do NOT arrive early or depart past these required travel dates.

  • Sometimes, when checking in, the airline personnel at the check-in desk may tell you that you are staying in Italy too long and will need to present a visa. Usually, the airline personnel have made an error in calculating the days you will be in Italy: when you fly into Italy, you arrive the day after your departure from the US, thus you land in Italy on day #1 and depart on day #90—you will be in Italy for only 90 days, not 91, as they sometimes calculate. Simply point out this error in their calculation.

  • Program staff will personally meet you at the main airport in Rome called Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (FCO). It is located in a suburb of Rome called Fiumicino. That’s why the name often used for the airport is Rome Fiumicino, to differentiate it from Rome Ciampino, a smaller airport in Rome which is used primarily for domestic/European flights.

  • The Rome campus consists of space in a Convent which is used primarily as a guest house. The program area is on the fourth floor and contains bedrooms (for 2 students each) with private bathrooms, a kitchen, a community lounge area, a laundry room and a dining area. Within the Convent, but not on our floor, there is a classroom and other lounge areas. A high wall runs around the property which is accessed by a single gate that is monitored.

  • Istituto Maria Santissima Assunta

    Via Casilina 233

    00176 Roma (RM) Italy

  • Only three nuns live at the Convent. Several lay people work at the office each day and are responsible for overseeing the facilities.  You will see the nuns (also called Sisters) from time to time, but do not live on the same floor or share any facilities.  Feel free to practice your Italian with the staff at the Convent!

  • Short answer: no. But, you will be walking a lot around the city and especially up and down the stairs of our Convent—a great Stairmaster!  There are many parks in the city, some that have bike rentals, and all with walking/running trails. There is a good running trail near the Convent, and we have information about a gym near the Convent which you can use.  (A day pass would be 10 euros and include use of the gym and weight room, as well as the pool. Let us know if you’d like more information regarding a one month or three-month membership.)

  • Letters and cards take from 5-10 days—and are nice to receive from home.  Packages sent via the US Postal Service can take from 2-6 weeks (or longer) to arrive.  Often there is paperwork to be completed at the post office in Italy before you are given your package.  Sometimes you must pay extra to receive packages and sometimes the packages are held up for any number of reasons.  All that said, it’s a good idea to ask people not to mail packages to you via the US Postal Service because it can be a big headache to get them as well as expensive if there is a declared value of the package contents. If someone sends you a package, you will be charged tax on any declared value of the contents. Tariffs and taxes in Italy are expensive.   

    Federal Express, UPS, and DHL deliver to Italy and provide much faster and more reliable service for packages than the US Postal Service.  Because each package has a tracking number associated with it, you’ll always know where your package is. In general, it is expensive to mail packages to Italy through any of the above methods and you will have to pay tax on the declared value of the contents.

  • Any mail received for you will be distributed immediately. There is no mail delivery on Saturdays and Sundays. Packages can take up to 8 weeks to arrive in Italy. Your mailing address is:      

    Istituto Maria Santissima Assunta      
    Via Casilina 233      
    00176 Roma (RM) Italy      Telephone +39 0627800818

  • The easiest and least expensive way to communicate with friends and family is by using Skype, FaceTime, or Whatsapp.

    For emergencies, they should call the Convent. To call direct from the U.S. you would dial 011-39-06-2780-0818 or connect on WhatsApp with our Program Director, Donald Hawkins at (202) 550-9550.

  • The voltage in Italy is 220v. In the U.S. it is 110v. Many electronic devices are designed for dual voltage. To see if this is the case with something you want to bring, look at the device’s power source pack or on the device itself. If it reads, “Input: AC 100V – 240V 50/60Hz” or similar, then it is dual voltage and should operate properly in Italy without using a voltage converter. All you need to bring for it is a plug adapter. It is a good idea to bring two plug adapters, available on Amazon and elsewhere. They are difficult to find in Italy.

  • A laptop computer, camera, smartphone, and tablet are useful.  When traveling on discount airlines during your independent travel weeks, luggage limits are quite strict, and it could be very helpful to have a tablet instead of only a computer. This will allow you to do some homework even while traveling.

  • Yes, we have a good wi-fi system at the Convent.

  • The metro is the fastest way to get around Rome but can be less convenient than buses due to inconvenient station locations and being stuck underground rather than enjoying Rome’s sights.

  • Dietary Restrictions

    Traveling overseas with any sort of food allergies and/or dietary restrictions is challenging and requires careful planning, patience, and flexibility. We can accommodate vegetarian and nut-free diets (does not include severe nut allergies). Unfortunately, because we eat many of our meals in the community and because of the nature of Italian food, we cannot accommodate gluten-free or dairy-free diets. 

    Strict or life-threatening food allergies and/or dietary restrictions must be communicated to program staff during the application process and as soon as possible.  

    Physical Limitations:

    Traveling overseas with a physical disability and/or impairments is challenging. Living and Learning participants must possess the necessary physical capacity to safely perform the essential functions of a study abroad student with or without reasonable accommodations. Living and Learning is limited in providing reasonable accommodations, but Italy has physical barriers and structural obstacles in natural and manmade environments that prevent or block mobility and/or access. Students must be able to stand for prolonged periods of time, walk for thirty to forty minutes uninterrupted, possess the ability to transport themselves from one place to another in a timely manner (specifically on public transportation), and be able to carry at least twenty pounds. Physical disabilities and/or impairments are to be communicated to program staff during the application process.

  • We provide breakfast every day, except during the Travel Weeks 

    Program staff will provide two lunches each week for students and staff.                  

    One night a week, students will take turns having a cooking lesson with the program manager, preparing the evening meal for the group. One evening a week, students will eat dinner together as a community—organized and prepared by the students. 

    For other meals during the week, students can cook in the community kitchen or eat out.

  • If you are familiar with Italian food in the US, you have a pretty good idea of the food you will find in restaurants in Italy, although you will encounter many new foods as well. Pizza is abundant, but it will not be like the Pizza Hut or Papa John’s variety.  The pizza in Rome usually has a very thin crust and each person orders their own entire pizza.  Challenge yourself to try new toppings, such as potato, tuna, or zucchini!  For the most part, the Italian diet, at least in Rome, does not consist of a lot of meat, but rather the main staples are pasta, fresh fruit, and vegetables.  All in all, it is important for students to remain flexible and adventurous when trying new foods and cuisines.  You may find that you love something you never thought you would.

  • The answer to this question is different for each student and depends on a number of factors, including: 

    How much you plan to travel
    How much you plan to spend on souvenirs and gifts
    How much you plan to spend on personal items 

    You should also plan to budget for two independent travel weeks.

  • Go to www.xe.com for an estimate of the current rate which changes by the minute.  Each bank can have different rates, but they do not vary significantly.

  • Rome, with nearly 3 million residents, is the fourth most populous city in the European Union.  Like any large city, Rome has its share of crime. While violent crime in Italy is rare, theft and pickpocketing are rampant. The chaos, traffic, and extensive graffiti in the city can seem overwhelming to Americans coming from suburban contexts. Political party infighting has also led to less efficiency in garbage collection in certain parts of the city. Exercise caution just as you would in any city in the US or around the globe: watch your valuables; pay attention to who is around you and what they are doing; keep an eye on the people you are traveling with; avoid allowing people to distract you; if you feel unsafe, remove yourself from the situation as quickly as possible. With a few simple precautions that the Program Directors will help you with, you will successfully adjust to your new home and you will find that the chaos, traffic, and graffiti will give way to the warmth of the Italian people and the riches of the Italian society.

  • In Italy:

    Donald Hawkins III: Program Director

    WhatsApp number: (202) 550-9550

    Email: donaldhawkins@livingandlearninginternational.com

    In the United States:

    Philip Payne: Executive Director

    Phone- 1 (805) 823-5839 

    Email- philpayne@landli.org 

    Greg Belgum: VP Strategic Partnerships

    Phone - 1 (408) 306-7073

    Email - gregbelgum@landli.org

  • There are several English-speaking churches in Rome, as well as a number of evangelical Italian churches if you want to stretch yourself linguistically. Italy is a spiritually very dark country. There aren’t many evangelical churches, and most of them are very small.

Baltimore Urban Studies

  • Not included in the overall cost is roundtrip airfare in and out of Baltimore (airport code is BWI), some dinners, and any additional excursions or souvenirs purchased during the students’ free time.

  • The program cost is listed on the program page. The cost includes accommodations, all lunches, all breakfast, and most dinners. Program costs cover group excursions, 24/7 support staff, and tuition for college credits.

  • Student safety is the utmost priority in all programming details. Prior to arrival, all students will be required to provide a negative Covid test within 72 hours before departure for Baltimore. Each morning a symptoms questionnaire will be electronically sent to students and a temperature check will be given prior to starting class. Additionally, students will be asked to wash their hands and/or use hand sanitizer whenever entering/leaving the students accommodations. Hand sanitizer stations will be provided throughout the student housing.

  • Each course has one dedicated professor and program host to assist in all program needs. The program host will be housed in the same building as students and be available 24/7 should students need assistance. Overall, a minimum of four faculty and staff members will be coordinating the experience for students.

  • On a typical day, students will wake up and have breakfast. And may submit a symptoms questionnaire prior to joining the rest of the students, and come to class early to receive a daily temperature check. Throughout the day students will engage in both classroom instruction from their professor as well as on-site and in-field instruction from expert speakers and community leaders. Lunch will be provided each day for the students either catered in or at a local Baltimore restaurant. After on-site and in-field instruction has wrapped up, daily debrief time will be conducted collaboratively for both classes. Students will have most evenings free to explore the city, do homework, or join a group excursion.

  • Students will be responsible for booking their own flight to and from Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI). Upon registration, students will receive a suggested flight itinerary and arrival and departure window in which they will need to book their flight.

  • The Baltimore Urban Studies is aligned with pressing issues we face in today's society. Students will have the opportunity to address topics they are passionate about such as social justice and public health while studying near our nation’s capital. Whether taking one of the courses as a major core credit or a meaningful elective, students will enjoy an intentionally catered itinerary that confronts difficult topics while hearing from a wide range of spiritual, academic, and community leaders.

  • Dietary Restrictions

    Traveling with any sort of food allergies and/or dietary restrictions is challenging and requires careful planning, patience, and flexibility.

    Strict or life-threatening food allergies and/or dietary restrictions must be communicated to program staff during the application process as soon as possible.  

    Physical Limitations:

    Traveling with a physical disability and/or impairments is challenging. L&LI participants must possess the necessary physical capacity to safely perform the essential functions of a study abroad student with or without reasonable accommodations.

    L&LI is limited in providing reasonable accommodations. L&LI students must be able to stand for prolonged periods of time, walk for thirty minutes uninterrupted, possess the ability to transport themselves from one place to another in a timely manner, and be able to carry at least twenty pounds.

    Physical disabilities and/or impairments are to be communicated to L&LI staff during the application process.

Signature Study Tours

  • Currently, the local governments of Italy and Ecuador do not require the COVID-19 vaccine to enter the country. Regarding other countries, please talk to the L&LI coordinator of the tour and request more information.

  • A $300 deposit is due at the time of program acceptance to secure your spot. Full payment is due 90 days prior if any flights are included, and 60 days prior if a flight is not included. Payments can be made directly to L&LI via check or online payment. A Study Tours representative will share these details with you at the time you have been approved for a program. 

  • Spots on Signature Study Tours are limited, so be sure to apply early! Enrollment is open until spots are filled or the application deadline. After you submit your application, a representative from Study Tours will contact you to answer questions and discuss the next steps. Once you are approved for the program, your spot is secured with a $300 deposit.

  • Signature Study Tours that offer college credit will be given by the College of the Ozarks. Before a student applies for the study tour, a syllabus will be shared for the course, outlining the academic requirements to obtain credit for the program. Some assignments may be due before, during, or after the program dates. While abroad, students will be a part of lectures, field visits, and hands-on learning experiences. If taking the experience for college credit, it is strongly recommended that students meet with academic advisors early on in the application process. Students may still participate in the Signature Study Tour even if they do not need college credit.

  • Signature Study Tours offered for college credit are targeted toward undergraduate students. These programs are open to students from all universities, making the signature experience a blend of various campuses. Whether you’re one of many of the only students enrolled from your home institution, you are guaranteed to make friends on the trip! Programs that are not offered for college credit are open to a larger audience. Whether a recent college grad or lifelong learner, travelers of all ages may join a non-credit-bearing Signature Study Tour. 

TESOL Internships

  • 6 weeks starting early June and ending middle of July.

  • 12 weeks starting mid-September or late January and ending early December or late April.

  • 135 Hours

  • The L&LI Mentor serves as your primary contact throughout the internship experience. They will be the person to track your internship hours, serve as a bridge between you and your internship site, and dialogue through the spiritual formation curriculum. You will meet your Mentor during the June 1st all-intern orientation call and will exchange contact information at that time.

  • Yes, grades for Community Development are based on attendance/participation, reading quizzes, internship site supervisor interview, and internship reflection. Refer to the syllabus found in the Appendix for the grading chart.

  • Yes, students are expected to come prepared to their weekly meetings with their mentors having read the assigned pages from Life of the Beloved and Galatians.

  • Yes, your internship site supervisor will speak English. Others on their staff may or may not speak English. For some supervisors, English may be their second language. Your L&LI Mentor will be able to clarify anything that is lost in translation. 

  • Each students' placement is custom to you and based on your interests, future career goals and site availability, all while considering any internship requirements given by your home college or university.

Parent FAQ

  • It is a wonderful experience to have your children studying in an International setting. It is also stretching and scary. We want you to know that we will do everything possible to ensure that your college student has a safe and life impacting experience. Several of us on staff have had our own children study in other countries and know first-hand what it is like to let our own children go to a foreign land.

  • In the United States & Ecuador:

    Philip J Payne: Executive Director

    Phone: +1(805) 823-5839

    Email: philpayne@livingandlearninginternational.com

    In Ecuador:

    Meg van Rijn: Director of Operations

    Phone: +1 (602) 321-2420

    Email: megvanrijn@livingandlearninginternational.com

    In Italy:

    Larry Peck: Program Director

    Phone: +1 (704) 641-3376

    +39 328-617-1975

    Email: romewithpurpose@gmail.com

    On a Short-Term Study Tour

    Rachel Roskoski: Director of Study Tours

    Phone: +1 (248) 835-7224

    Email: rachelroskoski@livingandlearninginternational.com

    In the United States:

    Greg Belgum: VP Strategic Partnerships

    Phone: +1(408)306-7073

    Email: gregbelgum@livingandlearninginternational.com

  • ECUADOR:

    L&LI encourages visitors and parents to see and experience student life in a different country during students’ time abroad. Due to program activities, there are blocks of time where visitors are not permitted. Please consult the Program Calendar to be aware of these dates and times, particularly the Visit/Family week dates. This time is an ideal visit of 4 to 5 days, including a weekend. Parents and visitors alike are expected to prepare all travel plans, lodging, and activities during their stay. L&LI staff will be available to offer information, suggestions and assistance to visitors. Parents and visitors should understand that while visiting, the students are still expected to attend classes, internships, and other program activities.

    ITALY:

    L&LI encourages visitors and parents to see and experience student life in a different country during students’ time abroad. Due to program activities, there are blocks of time where visitors are not permitted. Please consult the semester calendar to be aware of these dates and times. The ideal time to visit your son or daughter is during one of the two Independent Travel Weeks. These are outlined in the Program Calendar. Parents and visitors alike are expected to prepare all travel plans, lodging, and activities during their stay. L&LI staff will be available to offer information, suggestions and assistance to visitors. Parents and visitors should understand that if they plan a visit outside of the schedule Indpendent Travel Weeks, students are still expected to attend classes, internships, and other program activities.

    **All costs associated with visiting are the responsibility of the parent and/or visitor.

  • ECUADOR:

    Receiving mail is always a highlight. Please send cards and letters. If you decide to send a package – please remember that anything bigger than a 5 x 7 padded envelope probably will not arrive in time to your student.

    Mail all packages to:

    Misión Mundo Juvenil
    Student Name
    N37-68 Sancho de La Carrera y Villalengua
    Quito, Ecuador
    SOUTH AMERICA

    ITALY:

    Letters and cards take from 5-10 days—and are nice to receive from home. Packages sent via the US Postal Service can take from 2-6 weeks (or longer) to arrive. Often there is paperwork to be completed at the post office in Italy before you are given your package. Sometimes you must pay extra to receive packages and sometimes the packages are held up for any number of reasons. All that said, it’s a good idea to ask people not to mail packages to you via the US Postal Service because it can be a big headache to get them as well as expensive if there is a declared value of the package contents. If someone sends you a package, you will be charged tax on any declared value of the contents. Tariffs and taxes in Italy are expensive.

    Federal Express, UPS, and DHL deliver to Italy and provide much faster and more reliable service for packages than the US Postal Service. Because each package has a tracking number associated with it, you’ll always know where your package is. In general, it is expensive to mail packages to Italy through any of the above methods and you will have to pay tax on the declared value of the contents.

    Mail all packages to:

    Istituto Maria Santissima Assunta
    Via Casilina 233
    00176 Roma (RM) Italy

    Telephone +39 0627800818

  • Safety: Student safety is L&LI’s highest priority. Due to L&LI’s long experience with risk assessment, emergency preparedness, and crisis managament, L&LI is able to adapt quickly to dynamic international challenges. Given that socioeconomic, political, environmental, and medical conditions vary, L&LI specifically tailors health, safety and security measures to current circumstances.

    L&LI staff are dedicated to addressing health, safety, and risk management issues first from a preparation and prevention approach to reduce risks and second, from an incident response approach that functions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The various types of health and safety situations that arise for individual students are reported to the Resident Coordinator or Director of Student Life, who works with the Assistant Director and Program Director to respond carefully, appropriately, and swiftly. L&LI staff are trained in risk assessment and crisis management. L&LI infuses safety and security throughout the program curriculum. Key elements of the L&LI model help maximize in-country safety, including:

    ° Orientation: during the initial orientation period, L&LI staff educate students about potential safety risks and strategies for students to keep themselves safe within their new context. L&LI staff provides further safety and security briefings at key junctures throughout the program, most notably at times of movement or travel to different locations throughout the country, and at times where public transportation is utilized.

    ° Homestays: homestays provide students with grounding in the local culture, critical to building realistic perceptions of risk. Host families help students navigate their new surroundings by providing firsthand exposure to local norms, modeling culturally appropriate behavior, and giving precautionary advice about the local environment. Total safety cannot, of course, be guaranteed abroad just as it cannot be guaranteed anywhere. L&LI is committed to taking necessary steps to maximize student safety.

    You should talk to your doctor about the trip and any possible restrictions that may be necessary for you during the program. In particular, you should talk to your doctor about anti-malarial drugs and possible side effects. Be sure to discuss the current medications you are taking and how they may interact with other drugs or required vaccinations. The Center for Disease & Prevention (CDC) website (http://www.cdc.gov/travel) provides comprehensive health information and advice for general travel abroad. This site should answer most of your health-related questions and provide links to additional resources.

    Medical Insurance: Medical insurance is included in the price and covers the program participant for the official on-site period of program. Every Living and Learning participant will be covered by medical insurance coverage. In some instances, the students’ home university provides insurance in which case the student would be on that policy rather than the policy of Living and Learning. Living and Learning requires that all students have comprehensive insurance. The benefits of the coverage include the following:

    ACCIDENTAL DEATH AND DISMEMBERMENT BENEFIT

    MEDICAL EXPENSE BENEFIT

    REPATRIATION OF REMAINS BENEFIT

    EMERGENCY MEDICAL EVACUATION

    EMERGENCY REUNION BENEFIT

    TRIP INTERRUPTION BENEFIT

    Medical costs due to sickness, illness, or injury are the responsibility of the student. Any questions regarding insurance coverage, filing a claim, or medical bills should be directed to the Executive Director. Be aware that the insurance provided is supplementary to any additional insurance coverage the student may already have; claims must be submitted to the student’s primary insurer first. L&LI has no control over any primary insurer’s policies or decisions regarding coverage.

    **L&LI’s insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions that may result in emergency medical care. Consult with your physician regarding medications and/or treatment you may need while abroad. Depending on your physician’s advice, you may want to maintain, or purchase, additional health insurance that can be used overseas for certain conditions.**