The Nature of the Program

Students applying for the program must have the equivalent of at least two semesters of college-level Italian language study. The program is designed to accommodate different levels of proficiency.

Full-Year Applicants

Students with two semesters of Italian applying to study in Bologna for the full year must participate in the August session in Lecce and will take, it is likely, only program courses during the fall, picking up courses at the Università di Bologna during the spring.

Students with four semesters of Italian may opt to participate in the August session. They will be expected to take at least two courses at the Università di Bologna and supplementary program courses (including the language course in September) to complete their course work.

Fall Semester Applicants

Students with only two semesters of Italian wishing to study in Bologna for the fall semester must participate in the Lecce session and will take, it is likely, only program courses.

Students with four semesters of Italian may choose whether or not to participate in the Lecce session. They will enroll in the intensive language course in September prior to the beginning of regularly scheduled classes. They will take one or two courses at the Università di Bologna and will complete their course work with program offerings.

Spring Semester Applicants

All students applying to study in Bologna for the spring semester only will arrive in January and enroll in the intensive language course prior to the beginning of regularly scheduled classes.

Students with only three semesters of Italian prior to arriving in Italy probably will take program courses only. If their Italian progresses sufficiently in the first three weeks, they may petition the director to enroll in a course offered at the Università di Bologna. They will complete their curriculum with courses organized by the program, including the intensive language course in January.

Eligibility

The program is open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors in good academic standing at their home institution. Participants are subject to the specific requirements laid down by their home institution for study abroad. Two semesters of college-level Italian constitute the prerequisite for the fall semester, three semesters of college-level Italian for the spring. A “B” average in Italian language courses is required. Students with two full years of college-level Italian may be exempted from the August session. Students with less than four semesters of college-level Italian are required to attend this session.

Application Procedures

For further information, students from Vassar College, Wellesley College, and Wesleyan University should contact a program representative on the applicant’s home campus.

Outside students should contact Vassar College for 2008–2009 and Wellesley University for 2009–2010.  See our Contacts page for addresses and phone numbers.

Wesleyan, Wellesley, and outside students: applications must be received by February 15 for the fall semester and the full year and by October 1 for the spring semester. Vassar students must check with the Office of International Programs for specific deadlines which occur in early December each year for both semesters.

Please click here to access the application forms; Wesleyan students must also complete the Permission to Study Abroad application.

Each institution has its own regulations governing study abroad, and students are advised to seek out the relevant information on their home campus. All students must be covered by health insurance while they are abroad and will be asked to complete a health information form as well as provide insurance policy information.