Siena, Italy
May 14 - June 20, 2009
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View of Siena |
 | when more info. is available |
| "It was definitely the best experience of my undergraduate years!." |
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| —Former Program Participant |
Location
Siena is located 45 miles south of Florence and is considered the center of the Renaissance and the birthplace of the modern Italian language. A city of 70,000 Siena is one of the most beautifully preserved medieval cities of Europe. Siena still celebrates several medieval festivities, including the Palio, an exciting horse race run on the circular, central city "piazza" named "il Campo." Students wishing to extend their stay will be able to experience the Palio, which is always celebrated on July 2.
Program Overview
Intensive Italian Language and Culture Program There is a serious academic focus on learning all aspects of the Italian language and culture: speaking, reading, and writing. Required classes meet daily, Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Centro Internazionale Dante Alighieri, a five-minute walk from the central Campo. You will study with a variety of students (of all ages) from neighboring European nations, as well as Japan.
Students have enjoyed participating in an optional cooking class in the evenings each week. The goal of this cooking course is to allow students to use the Italian language in a hands-on setting. The school also offers students the opportunity to participate in numerous afternoon and weekend activities for no extra charge. On the weekends, you have time to visit local hill towns and villages within the province of Siena, the region of Tuscany, or throughout Italy. Previous participants have enjoyed visiting churches, hot springs, Etruscan sites, and abbeys. Spending your weekends in Italy allows students to improve their speaking skills outside the classroom.
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Optional cooking classes |
Italian Language Internship The Italian Language Internship has been designed in combination with the Intensive Italian Language Study Abroad program. Students will spend 5 weeks studying Italian at the Dante Alighieri school in Siena followed by a minimum of 3 weeks working at a local business or organization.
The Italian Language Internship is designed to give students the opportunity to apply their Italian language skills in an immersion setting by working with native speakers on a professional level. The Dante Alighieri school will coordinate internships in the fields of museum administration, social work, photography, tourism, and cooking. Internships in other areas may be available upon discussion with the internship coordinator
Credit Intensive Italian Language and Culture Program Students can earn 6-8 University of Utah
Italian language credits (a maximum of two
courses) that can be counted toward the B.A.
language requirement or Italian minor requirements.
Students may also fulfill the General Education International Requirement. Courses may be taken for a grade, credit/no
credit, or audit. Specific credit is arranged with
the program director prior to departure.
Italian Language Internship Students will earn 3 University of Utah credits for ITAL 3010 Interning Abroad. This is in addition to the 6-8 credits that will be earned during the Intensive Italian Language Study Abroad Program. For the internship, students will be graded by an evaluation completed by their internship supervisor and a written reaction paper in Italian completed by the student at the end of the internship.
Program Director
Professor Maya Gerig from the Department of Languages and Literature at the University of Utah will serve as Program Director in Italy. All courses will be taught in Italian by local instructors at Dante Alighieri. During the Italian Language Internship, Dante Alighieri will provide supervision and support for the students.
Accommodation
Intensive Italian Language and Culture Program There will be a choice between living in double occupancy rooms in apartments, with kitchens, or living with a host family. With the apartment option, meals are self-prepared or purchased in local restaurants, cafes, or markets. If you decide to live with a host family, breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Italian Language Internship The apartment and homestay options will also be available for the internship but only single accommodations will be available.
Tentative Itinerary
| Thurs. May 14 | Depart U.S. |
| Fri. May 15 | Meet group in Rome |
| Sat. May 16 | Day tour of Rome |
| Sun. May 17 | Arrive in Siena and move into apartments or homestays |
| Mon. May 18 | Classes begin |
| Fri. June 19 | Last day of class |
| Sat. June 20 | Program ends |
| Rest of Summer | Internship Participants will stay for a minimum of 3 weeks to complete the internship |
Getting to Siena
Your air travel should be arranged independently.You may want to meet others on the program at pre-departure meetings to arrange airfare together. Participants will spend the weekend in Rome and then move into apartments or host families in Siena.
Application Information
Eligibility Requirements
Italian Language and Culture Program
- Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA
- Minimum age of 18
- No previous Italian experience necessary, but preference is given to students who have completed at least one semester of Italian. Students with no language experience are encouraged to study some Italian prior to departure. Non-credit Italian classes are offered through the University of Utah's "Lifelong Learning" program.
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Walking in the Rain |
Italian Language Internship
- Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA
- Minimum age of 18
- Completed ITAL 2020 prior to internship
- Completed the Italian Language and Culture Program
Application Deadline
6 March 2009
Late applications will be accepted with an additional non-refundable $50 fee for 30 days after initial deadline or until program is full.
Application Process
- Students must submit a complete application, including a personal statement, one reference form, and a photocopy of the identification page of their passport. Applications are available at the Study Abroad Office and online. A separate application must be completed for the Italian Language Internship. Internship applicants will also be interviewed by the program director.
- The application and $500 initial program payment should be presented or mailed to the Cashier's Window, 165 Student Services Building. (Please be sure to include your U of U ID number). The cashier will issue a receipt and stamp your application "Paid." Return the application materials to the Study Abroad Office. All applications will be reviewed by the program director and the Study Abroad Office staff to determine eligibility. Applicants will be notified by email of their acceptance into the program.Non U of U students should submit their initial program payment directly to the Study Abroad Office.
- Additional pre-departure materials will be emailed to all accepted participants.
- If an applicant is determined ineligible for program participation the $500 payment will be refunded in full.
- U of U students, students at other colleges or universities, alumni and qualified members of our community are welcome to apply to participate in U of U study abroad programs.
- Questions about the application process? Contact the Study Abroad Office.
Pre-departure Orientations
Several orientation sessions will be held to provide program and cultural information. Participants will be contacted by e-mail when these are arranged. At these meetings you will receive course information and travel details, as well as meet others in the group.
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The Coliseum in Rome |
Financial Information
Program Cost
Italian Language and Culture Program The 2009 program cost will be: Apartment, double $3605 Apartment, single $3800 Homestay, double (includes two meals) $4,190 homestay, single (includes two meals) $4,430
Includes:Tuition, books and materials, room, two nights lodging and breakfast in Rome (double accommodation), Rome city tour, bus transportation from Rome to Siena, lodging in Siena (double accommodation apartment) two group dinners, and international health insurance.
Does Not Include: Airfare, ground transportation from Siena to departure city at end of program, passport, meals in rental apartments (estimated $500), personal expenses, local transportation, independent travel, and cell phone rental (highly recommended).
Italian Language Internship The 2009 cost for a 3 week internship is: Apartment, single $870 Homestay, single $1,275
Includes: Tuition, room, two meals per day with homestay option, international health insurance
Does Not Include: Airfare, passport, meals for apartment option, personal expenses, local transportation, and independent travel.
Although not anticipated, the program price is subject to change due to fluctuation of currency exchange rates and contracted agencies, or number of participants.
Withdrawal & Refund Policy
$300 plus any unrecoverable costs to the Study Abroad Office at the time of withdrawal are non-refundable. To withdraw, the applicant must formally file a Withdrawal Form with the Study Abroad Office. If an applicant is determined ineligible to participate, the $500 deposit will be refunded in full.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Most financial aid (student loans, grants, etc.) can be applied to the program cost. For U of U students, there are also Study Abroad Scholarships available. See the Study Abroad Office for more information.
The program brochures can be dowloaded in a pdf format here:
Contact Us
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Study Abroad Advisor |
Program Director Dept. of Languages and Literature LNCO 1212 Phone: (801) 581-7737 |
