“Majoring or minoring in Italian Studies means opening yourself up to the vibrant cultural tradition of Italy. Studying abroad offers the unique opportunity to discover that tradition in person and to enrich your knowledge process.”
Daniel Brewer, Professor Emeritus, Department of French and Italian
Academic Planning Recommendations
Best Time To Go Abroad or Term NOT to go abroad
Italian Studies majors and minors may study abroad at any time during their academic career. Italian studies majors should have completed at least four upper-division major courses in the Italian department at the University of Minnesota—Twin Cities. For Italian minors, two upper-division UMTC Italian department courses are required. The remaining requirements may be completed abroad.
The Italian program prefers that you wait until you have the equivalent of two years of Italian language study before studying abroad, but this can be flexible depending on your situation and program choice.
The Italian program does not recommend studying abroad during your final semester of your senior year.
Liberal Education Requirements
Search the U-Credit Abroad Search. You may also submit any liberal education course not yet evaluated for approval online.
Major and Minor Requirements
Look for junior- and senior-level (3xxx to 5xxx-level) courses that investigate the literature or culture of the country in which you are studying.
Who will advise me and help me with course approvals?
Learning Abroad Center advisers can help you find program and course information to help you prepare for your study abroad academic planning discussion with your academic adviser. Once you have narrowed down your program options meet with your academic adviser to use the Academic Planning for Study Abroad (APSA) form to structure your academic planning.
College/Department Scholarships for UofM Students
- CLA students can apply for CLA Study Abroad Scholarships in addition to other Learning Abroad Center scholarships.
- The French & Italian Department offers scholarships for students who are looking to study abroad. These scholarships are made available to apply for in early spring semester. Recipients are selected by department faculty members.
Programs
Europe
Italy
- Spend a semester studying in the historical city of Florence.
- Courses in art, business, Italian language (1001-1004), political science, psychology and culture.
- Experience other parts of Italy through study tours to Milan, Venice, Sicily, and Rome.
- Internships and volunteer opportunities are also available
- IES Italy—Rome
- Open to sophomores and above with 0-2 years of college-level Italian.
- Students can study at the Libera U Internazionale degli Studi Sociali, U degli Studi di Roma or the Rome U of Fine Arts.
- A range of area studies are offered such as art, business, economics, religion and fine arts.
IES Italy—Milan
- Enroll in Italian language courses plus area studies courses taught in English for beginning and intermediate students, or in Italian for advanced students.
- Students can study at the Libera U di Lingue e Comunnicazione, the Scuola Politecnica di Design, U Bocconi, or U Cattolica del Sacro Cuore.
- Internships are also available in psychology, banking, and marketing.
University of Bologna (available through the Bologna Consortial Studies Program/BCSP)
- This Academic Year or semester program is open to juniors and seniors with two years college-level Italian.
- Take courses at Europe’s oldest institution of higher learning and one of Italy’s most respected universities, the University of Bologna. Combine regular university courses with special BCSP courses.
- Internships and volunteer opportunities are also available
Additional Options to Consider
- 3-week, 3-credit programs at the 3000-level led by University of Minnesota faculty and staff over winter break or May session.
- Explore an exciting location and topic, Fulfill Liberal Education requirements, or earn major/minor credit.
- Combine on-campus instruction during the spring semester with a study abroad component during spring break, on a 3 credits, 1xxx level Seminar.
- Freshman Seminars Abroad are designed specifically for first-year students as an introduction to study abroad, an opportunity to explore an exciting location and topic, and likely fulfill a liberal education requirement.
- Check out additional LAC Instructor-led Seminars that might run over winter break, spring break, May, and summer sessions. They vary in length, dates, and content so students can find one that best fits their academic and professional goals.
- Begin your language study or work toward completing requirements for a language minor.
- Complete a semester of language on a short-term program or explore options to complete two or more semesters of language on semester-long program.