Education Abroad & Exchange - Italy

Study Abroad Options

Siena Semester Abroad

The Department offers a competitive spring-semester program, in collaboration with the Università di Lingua e Cultura per Stranieri di Siena, whose emphasis is language acquisition and/or improvement. Students earn 15 credits per semester, nine of which comprise intensive, daily Italian language courses; two culture courses (the equivalent of six credits), taught in English, complete the course load. The program has been (and continues to be) directed by either a UMass faculty member or an adjunct attached to the Università per Stranieri who remains on-site in Siena for the duration of the Program. Language courses are taught by native-speaking faculty of the Università per Stranieri, and UMass-sponsored culture courses are taught by either regular UMass faculty, faculty of the Università, or faculty contracted by the Program Director.

Students from both UMass and other universities are invited to apply to the Program by submitting an application, by October 7 of the year before planned participation, to the UMass-Amherst Siena Coordinator:

Approximately 25 students are admitted to the program in any given year. Although no prior Italian is required, students with a background in the language are given preference (at least one year of Italian is recommended; three semesters are preferred). All applicants should have a "B" average in Italian (where applicable) and a GPA of 3.0. UMass-Amherst is a member of AACUPI (Association of American Colleges and Universities with Programs in Italy), which requires most program participants to obtain visas through the UMass Program Coordinator prior to their departure for Italy.

The 2006 program fee was $7,350 for in-state UMass students, $9,350 for out-of-state UMass students, and $10,350 for all other students. The fee includes tuition, housing, specified group excursions (as a minimum, weekend excursions to Roma and Venice), a catastrophic health plan provided by the Italian Government (ASSITALIA), AACUPI fees, and the Education Abroad Fee, which covers various administrative services performed by the International Programs Office. Students in the Siena program typically lodge with other UMass program participants in apartments or suites located near the center of the medieval city. Other housing arrangements may be made if ample notice is provided to the program Director, but alternative housing options cannot be guaranteed.

The program fee does not include meals, routine medical services, textbooks, or personal travel.

'Business in Italy' - UMass Isenberg School of Management

This is a three-credit course sponsored by the School of Management (SOM) that entails enrollment in a fall-semester course offered by the SOM, and a subsequent January field trip (approx. 12 days) to several Italian cities, during which industrial sites, a fashion school, the Bocconi School of Business, the American Consulate in Florence, and various cultural sites/events are experienced. Students are expected to keep a detailed journal of their activities and formulate a project that will be presented to the group in the spring.

The course is organized and co-taught by a SOM professor and a professor from the Faculty of Humanities and Fine Arts. Course enrollment is limited; no prior exposure to Italian is required, though some knowledge would be helpful. Fees are determined by the School of Management in consultation with the International Programs Office.

'Journalism in Sicily' - Department of Journalism

This is a spring semester course involving a March (spring break) trip to Sicily for students interested in journalism and photojournalism. Interested students should consult the Dept. of Journalism. Enrollment is limited. Prior coursework in Italian is encouraged, but not required.

Study Abroad - Department of Classics

The Classics Department periodically offers short-term excursions to sites in Italy as part of their regular programs. Interested students should consult the Department of Classics regarding upcoming opportunities. Although some knowledge of Italian is desired, none is required.

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