In any event, be patient with the Italian banking system. Allow plenty of time to conduct your business. Take your passport and one other form of identification with you. Each bank usually posts the exchange rates for the day. Each student is responsible for transporting his or her own luggage.
Students generally use soft luggage, especially camping style back-packs.
Airlines have limits on baggage by weight and size that vary from carrier to carrier. You should check before you travel. More important, though, remember that you will carry your luggage around Europe if you attend both the London and Venice programs or if you travel before or after the Venice program. Also remember that you will probably return with more than you arrived. So pack lightly, as though you were taking a trip across state to visit a friend.