Design in Sicily —

Program Details

Program Eligibility

About Design in Sicily

Known for its unique blend of cultures especially in the arts, architecture, and food, Sicily is a fascinating place to spend a summer. With historical influences from the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and many more, it is a location unlike any other. The city of Syracuse, where you will spend your summer, is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of the outstanding Greek, Roman, and Baroque monuments, archaelogical sites, and architecture. Spend the summer using your design skills to create your own images of this beautiful city and island. Further immerse yourself in the culture by interning with a local company, or participating in intensive design workshops with local and international designers. This program integrates excursions to other areas around Sicily to bring course content to life. The program also begins with 5 days in Rome, where you will start learning about the history, design, and culture of Italy.

Housing & Meals

Students live in furnished apartments with shared bedrooms with other students on the program. Generally apartments are 2-4 bedrooms, with 4-8 students per apartment. Meals are not included, but kitchen supplies are available for students to cook their own meals.

Excursions

This program starts out with 5 days in Rome, to start learning the history, design, and culture of Italy. Once in Sicily, excursions around the island will be included. Excursions could include Mount Etna, Catania, Taormina, Greek ampitheaters, the Baroque city of Noto, etc.

Flight

If you take the group flight, or are able to arrive before the group flight and wait, our staff will meet you at the airport and bring you to your housing at no added cost. If you do not take the group flight, you will need to make your own way to the ACCENT center upon arrival. Specific arrival instructions will be sent out prior to your departure.

For immigration purposes, you should purchase a round-trip ticket, since you must be able to show your entry and exit dates from Italy.

Program Structure

This program appeals to design students who want to engage with Sicily in a meaningful way. Participate in the Italian Design Studio to really use Syracuse as your classroom as you use the city to work on your sketches, and explore the many ways that design is incorporated into this scity. Internships in English and Italian give students the opportunity to participate in Italian work culture and workshops allow students the opportunity to engage in the design process with local and international designers.

Coursework

Check out the Course List for brief course descriptions and University of Minnesota–Twin Cities course equivalencies. 

All courses will incorporate study tours which will allow you to learn about areas in and outside of Syracuse. 

Tracks

Workshop Track

Students on this track will spend the first six weeks of the program completing the Italian Design Studio: Image-Making course. The last two weeks of the program will be spent engaging in intensive design workshops at the MADE Academy with local and international designers. Students on this track are not able to participate in an internship. 

Internship Track

Students on this track will spend the first 6 weeks of the program in the Italian Design Studio: Image-Making course as well as the Internship in Sicily course. The last two weeks of the program will be dedicated solely to time at your internship placement, to fully engage with the work and your colleagues. Students on this track are not able to participate in the MADE Academic workshops.

Dates & Deadlines

Fees for Design in Sicily

Summer 2021 program fees are forthcoming.

Billing & Payments

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Cancellation Policy

Prepare

Submit

Complete

After you submit your application, you will receive an email notification confirming that your application was received. Submitted applications are assigned an application checklist, which will include the following items:

• Application Essay
• Course Enrollment Form
• Italy Internship Application (Required only for internship applicants)
• Italy Cover Letter & Resume (Required only for internship applicants)
• Home Institution Nomination (Non-UofM students only)
• Transcript (Non-UofM students only)

Detailed descriptions and instructions for submitting each checklist item are included on the application checklist assigned to you.

If you do not meet the GPA requirement for this program you will be required to submit two additional application items—the Low GPA Essay and Special Circumstances Recommendation. Both items will be added to your checklist after you start your application, and you will be notified when they have been added.

Application Review Process

After your application checklist is complete, your application is reviewed by our program team. You will be notified of an acceptance decision by email. If accepted, you will be assigned a confirmation checklist, which you will complete to confirm your participation in the program. If you decide not to continue with the application process, log into the online application system and submit a Cancel Request.