Health and Student Services in Florence

All students who participate in the Kent State Florence program are enrolled in an international health insurance policy from GeoBlue that provides coverage for any international destination where the student may travel during their time abroad.

We have a wealth of information in our FAQs that covers managing your health and safety abroad.

See FAQs

Prior to your education abroad experience, you will participate in a mandatory pre-departure orientation hosted by the Office of Global Education. During this orientation, you will be provided with information including but not limited to:

• international travel procedures;
• in-country resources;
• health and safety resources and information;
• culture shock and resources to help prepare for living abroad.

The Flashes to Florentines pre-departure series is open to all committed Florence students of any major or cohort. By attending these sessions, you’ll have the opportunity to learn what it’s like to live like a Florentine, practice your Italian language skills, and prepare yourself for your experience abroad. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet other students participating in the Florence program. Topics to be covered include:

• Traveling to Florence;
• Italian culture and living like a Florentine;
• Health and wellness abroad;
• A crash course in Italian language;
• Florence alumni panels - hear from other students about their experiences in Florence.

You can also review a wide variety of resources we’ve pulled together for you on our “Before You Go” page.

U.S. Department of State Information

You can learn more about your destination, including travel advisories, through the U.S. Department of State website.

CDC Information

Please visit the CDC travel page for information about any vaccinations you may need or health and safety tips for traveling to Italy.

If vaccinations or medicines are needed according to the CDC, you should make arrangements with your healthcare provider or the DeWeese Health Center as soon as possible for appointments. Appointment openings at the DeWeese Health Center are limited and vaccines may need to be ordered, which takes time. Please note that not all immunizations are available at the DeWeese Health Center. Plan accordingly.

In addition to the mandatory pre-departure orientation hosted by the Office of Global Education in Ohio, you will also participate in an on-site orientation designed to help you make the most of your experience. Orientation includes walking tours, safety information, health and wellness resources and more!

There’s plenty of ongoing events too, such as a regular lecture series, cultural events and activities, and academic field trips.

It takes a lot of courage to participate in an education abroad experience, and the Counseling and Wellbeing Services team at Kent State University Florence will help students utilize this courage to reach their academic and personal goals while studying abroad. The study abroad experience can present special challenges which may be transformed into opportunities for growth.

The Counseling and Wellbeing Services team is committed to creating a warm, safe, and inclusive atmosphere where students are provided the opportunity to utilize their strengths to help them rise to challenges that they face while studying abroad. Some challenges may include, but are not limited to, shifts in relationships with partners, friends, roommates, and/or family, adjusting to Florentine and/or study abroad culture, anxiety, mood disorders, eating disorders, substance use disorders, trauma, ADHD, or any other mental health and wellness concerns.

The counseling services are free, confidential, and available all throughout the year, so students can feel comfortable to explore their concerns in a safe, inclusive environment.

Some of the services offered in Florence include:

• 24/7 emergency phone (+39 376 0546633)
• Individual, couples, and group therapy
• Psychoeducational workshops
• Referrals to community resources
• Coordination with other student support offices as needed
• Walk-in and scheduled sessions available

Students may schedule up to one appointment per week, unless there is an emergency or on-going crisis that necessitates more frequent contact.

Sessions are confidential, which means that your attendance at sessions and information stay private.  However, there are limits to confidentiality for safety reasons. If there are concerns that you are a risk for harming yourself or someone else, this confidentiality may be broken in order to keep you and others safe.

To set up an appointment, please contact a member of staff in Florence:

• Mags Runge, Ph.D. LCP, mrunge@kent.edu
• Mary Ann Bellini, Ph.D. LCP, msmaryasan@gmail.com

• Dial 112 immediately.
• Call the Kent State University Florence Emergency Phone (+39 376 0546633).
• Proceed to your nearest hospital (most likely Santa Maria Nuova).