European Policy Statement (EPS)

I

Naples University “L’Orientale”, has been a multietnic, multilinguistic and multicultural study center since its birth, first as Chinese boarding school (1732) and then as Istituto Universitario Orientale. These characteristics have played an important role for the creation of extraordinary international relations.
The University offers the possibility to get lots of degrees in european and extra-european languages, cultures and istitutions, focusing mainly on the Mediterranean, eastern european ,african, middle and far eastern area; this fact enables the students to experience rare and internationally oriented educational paths.
The University is located in Naples, a city that for its strategic position on the the Mediterranean Sea has always been involved in cultural exchanges and in constructing an european identity
Thanks to the Erasmus Programme, “L’Orientale”, offers the chance to foreign students to take part to its activities and, at the same time, it allows italian students to experiment different teaching and learning styles, as those used in other institutions or foreign countries, contributing, though, to build up an european citizenship.
Contact and confrontation among different countries represents, then, L’Orientale’s strategy in Lifelong Learning program and, in particular, in Erasmus Program.
Allowing Erasmus students to take part to useful cultural and formative experiences, is L’Orientale’s main target.
Among the various activities of Lifelong Learning Program 2007-2013, “L’Orientale” is also particularly interested in building up multilateral projects, as they represent an important contribution to the internationalization of research and of its results, in line with the peculiar characteristics of the Neapolitan University.
The University web site will promote and advertise Erasmus activities, the European University Charter (EUC) and the Erasmus Policy Statement (EPS).
Since May 2004, according with the “L’Orientale” University Statute (art 2 and 3), a vocational office for disabled students has been opened. It offers the following services: administrative support, logistic accompanying, psycological counseling, specialized tutorship, informatic devices.
In addition, L’Orientale offers a “Welcome office” for disabled students which gives information about the dedicated services and helps dispatching administrative papers.
The University offers scholarships for good students with economic problems.
Given its intercultural origins, L’Orientale guarantees cultural, ethnic and social integration
L’Orientale offers high quality in academic mobility thanks to a wide information about courses, programs and academic organization given by its web site, publications and info points (CAOT).

II

The “International Relations Office” and other experts in various sectors offer support and information to graduated students about the study opportunities abroad.
The CAOT organizes a counseling service for new students.
Free italian language courses are offered to foreign students (in CILA office- Centro dei Servizi Linguistici e Audiovisivi), in addition to lunch/dinner service, informatic service, university library and research centers.
Through the “Welcome to Naples” project, L’Orientale offers lots of free services among which: welcome, support for accomodation (70 guest-rooms are almost ready to be used) and for the whole stay, help desk and emergency service (24h a day), post domicile , translation and interpreting service, resident permit assistance, medical, legal and bureaucratic assistance.
Internet service, current account opening service,cell phone number activation service, sport facilities are all available. 50% discounted transportation tickets are provided.
Study credits gained abroad are recognized through the European Credit Transfer System (E.C.T.S.), including learning agreement and transcript of records.
Erasmus mobility periods are recognized to teachers, too and offered lots of services and assistance.

III

Naples University “L’Orientale” is particularly focused on stages, training and vocational guidance, as provided by the Italian High School and University Reform, in order to get the students closer to the labour market.
For this task, “L’Orientale” offers a special connection service among the various subjects (public or private bodies, firms, NGO etc.) involved in stages activities. This service works within the CAOT office and its main task is carrying out the various procedures to establish a partnership both between the students and the headmaster office, both between the University and the firms or bodies offering stages.
Through vocational projects agreement, the University ensures stages fitting with students’ profiles
CAOT is responsible of administrative dispatching and connection with the hosting subject until the vocational project agreement; it offers vocational and administrative service to students; it is charged of providing personal accident insurance (INAIL) and civil liability insurance (RCT); it prepares and gives the students a special final questionnaire. In addition, CAOT selects and updates a huge and varied list of hosting firms/bodies.
In Academic year 2005/2006 about 700 students experienced a stage, and lots of them have been hired after it.