Through the UMass Amherst Bologna – Forlì Exchange Program our students have direct access to the oldest and one of the most prestigious universities in Europe. The program is hosted by the Department of Interpretation and Translation (DIT) of the University of Bologna – Forlì campus, located 37 miles east of Bologna. All UMass students are eligible to participate in the exchange program, which also includes the Bologna/Forlì School of Economics. Both of these schools offer a large portion of their courses in English, thus making the program accessible to non-advanced speakers of Italian. This is a perfect combination for students who intend to double-major in Italian and a wide range of other disciplines on campus.
The Program
Students participating in the program register at UMass and take one or two semesters of courses at Bologna/Forlì. Exchange students have access to all services available to local students at the host university and are considered students of the host institution in every respect for the duration of the exchange. This very convenient arrangement allows our students to study at one of the most prestigious schools in Europe at a very affordable cost.
The City
Forlì is the most important city of the region called Romagna (part of Emilia-Romagna) in Central Italy and is strategically located between Bologna and Italy's Adriatic coast. Only a 35-minute fast train ride separates Forlì from Florence; Milan is one hour away; Venice is less than 1 hour and 25 minutes away; Rome 2 hours and 15 minutes. The L. Ridolfi airport offers easy and affordable connections to most European destinations. With a population of roughly 115,000, Forlì provides the ideal full-immersion Italian cultural experience in a cozy and elegant urban environment, rich in history that dates back to Roman times. Libraries, museums, and elegant architecture make Forlì an ideal university town and an inexhaustible source of cultural and leisure activities for foreign students.
Academics
Students can select classes from the following departments and can earn 12-15 UMass credits per semester. Both departments offer a large portion of their courses in English, thus making the program accessible to non-advanced speakers of Italian.
Department of Interpretation and Translation (DIT)
Sample list of courses (including all levels of Italian language):
- 02609 - Contemporary Italian Literature
- 96162 - Gender, Media and Communication
- 06929 - History of Contemporary Europe
- B3118 - Italian Culture and Institutions
- 86337 - Italian Sign Language I
- 00660 - General Linguistics (CL1)
- 00789 - Italian Linguistics (CL1)
- B6116 - Italian Linguistics for Interpreters
- 71184 - Political-Economic Inclusion of the European Union
- 62480 - Principles of Law
- 04164 - Teaching of Modern Languages
- 96657 - Translation Theory and History
Department of Management and Economics
Sample list of courses:
- B1898 - Environmental Economics and Sustainability
- 85071 - Economics Of Competition
- 82005 - Economics of the EU
- 91984 - Economics Of Transition In Eastern Europe
- 98768 - Food Economics Lab
- 37293 - Microeconomics
- 59691 - Macroeconomics
Application
Students interested in participating in the University of Bologna - Forlì exchange should contact Dr. Roberto Ludovico as well as the UMass Global Education advising center. Students are supported throughout the application process by the Office of Global Affairs. This includes guidance on securing course approvals, assistance with housing arrangements, and ongoing support from your Education Abroad Advisor. Candidates will be asked to provide two (2) letters of recommendation, one of which can be from Dr. Ludovico.
Costs
Students participating in University Exchange Programs pay their regular UMass tuition and fees through the Bursar's Office and follow standard billing deadlines, as they would for an on-campus semester. Students are responsible for additional expenses such as housing, meals, and transportation. Housing and food costs in Forlì are comparable to those at UMass Amherst when accounting for currency exchange rates, and in some instances might be considerably lower.
Additional out-of-pocket expenses for the exchange include airfare to Italy, the Global Education Fee ($1,075), health insurance ($72), and a residency permit ($120).
Most forms of financial aid—including scholarships, grants, and loans—can be applied toward study abroad costs.
Most awarded aid—including scholarships, grants, and loans—can be applied toward study abroad costs.