Coronavirus Emergency: Information for International Students in Trento

Italy is slowly recovering from the Covid-19 emergency, the situation is still constantly evolving and specific surveillance is active at the national and local level to limit the outbreak of infections. Measures for containing the infection are in place e.g. social distancing, prohibition of public gatherings and the required use of masks at all times in enclosed public spaces and on all types of public transportation

First Semester 2020 - 2021 Academic Year (Fall/Winter Semester)

International students are kindly invited to consider attending the semester virtually or postponing the mobility to the 2nd semester (Spring/Summer semester, February-July 2021) depending on the evolution of the pandemics. Should they decide to come to Trento anyway, they will be required to strictly apply the health and safety measures ordered by the Italian Government and by UniTrento.

Travel to Italy:

• Italy has opened international borders with many countries and currently travel is unrestricted with the EU and Schengen Members States, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland with no need to self-isolate upon arrival (except Bulgaria and Romania).
• Entrance is still forbidden from some countries, to date Armenia, Bahrein, Bangladesh, Bosnia Herzegovina, Brazil, Chile, Kosovo, Kuwait, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Oman, Panama, Peru, Dominican Republic, Serbia.
• Travel is allowed from any other countries for specific reasons, including study, with the obligation of a 14-day self-isolation and specific communication to be sent to the Department of Prevention of local health services.
• Information changes rapidly and the Italian updated details must be checked in our Ministry dedicated website 
• Should students need a visa, they will most likely need to wait longer than usual to get an appointment at the Italian Consulate or Embassy in their country. A letter from UniTrento confirming that their physical presence at classes is mandatory might be required, if this is the case students should contact the relevant International Mobility Office.

Self-isolation / Quarantine:

• Students who are required by law to undergo a self-isolation period cannot spend it in ordinary student housing. UniTrento is currently working to organize alternative lodging in Trento specifically for self-isolation with essential services, only for students participating at specific programmes. Costs for self-isolation will be at students’ charge, updates will be sent them directly. 
• Students arriving from countries for which the self-isolation is required, once in Italy are only allowed to reach the address where they will self-isolate by the shortest possible route and without using any means of public transport (including transfer from the airport). Renting a car (with or without a driver) or using a taxi are allowed. For students participating at specific programmes, UniTrento is currently working to organise transfers from the Verona Airport to Trento on specific dates which will be communicated to them in due time. Students landing at other airports are recommended to organise their self-isolation near the airport premises.

Academic Calendar and fact sheet for the academic year 2020/21 are available on our webpage. 

Teaching methods will include:

• Mostly on-line classes
• Possible face-to-face attendance on a shift basis (those who are not physically present during a certain timeframe will attend virtually and then switch during the next class) or repetition of selected courses for staggered attendance. 
• On-line courses, with the addition of possible face-to-face discussions in small groups. For those who cannot be present, alternative remote activities will be organized.
• Please consider that it will always be possible also to participate virtually in all classes. Information on lectures and details on the specific format(s) for each course will be updated in the "Teaching and Learning" section on each UniTrento department’s website.

Exams: they might be conducted either on face-to-face or on-line, however the on-line option will be available for international students attending the semester virtually.

Services and facilities:

• Welcome services and information session for International students will be provided virtually, as well as social and cultural activities in order to complete the distance learning with the right social and cultural dimension.
• University offices are currently closed to the public. Staff is working from home until further notice but can be contacted by e-mail and phone. Video meetings can also be arranged if needed.
• University libraries are open.
• University restaurants and canteens will gradually re-open starting from the beginning of September.
• University housing at Opera Universitaria dormitories are open but only for limited categories of students, who have already been informed about the possibility to apply. Please check self-isolation provisions above.
• Access to laboratories will be granted only with prior authorization and when necessary to carry out research work that cannot be performed elsewhere. During all laboratory activities COVID-19 containment and emergency measures must remain strictly in force. Persons authorized to access the laboratory can stay only for the time necessary to perform the indicated task.

Virtual Mobility Website: a new section of the website with information, services and socio-cultural activities is under construction.

Health insurance: International non-EU students, once in Trento, are strongly encouraged to enroll in the national health system in order to be covered also in case of Covid-19 disease. The cost is 149,77 € per calendar year.

Erasmus+ KA107 ICM: Students are allowed to begin the mobility on-line but, for the mobility to be funded, it needs to be planned with a period of activities in Trento of at least 3 months. Please keep checking the UniTrento ICM news webpage.

UniTrento will continue to monitor the evolution of the global and national Covid-19 emergency and if the situation changes it might need to update the current provisions. For more and updated information please keep visiting this webpage.

For important details and updates from the Italian government on travel to and from Italy visit the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs travel website.