Program Details
Location
Florence & Sicily, Italy, and Istanbul, Turkey
Term
Fall Semester
Housing
Apartment
Dormitory
Languages Taught In
English
Program Eligibility
Student Type
UofM Students
Student Year
Sophomores
Juniors
Seniors
GPA
2.5
About
This thematic, interdisciplinary semester brings you to three dynamic European cities to study the concept of sustainability, the interplay between food systems, and the formation and evolution of Mediterranean identities. You’ll explore the complex social, economic, and political challenges in the Mediterranean through the lens of food in the context of each of the three unique locations, but you’ll also analyze factors that unify the region, its culture and cuisine, as well as its contributions to the world at large.
Program Model
Housing & Meals
Housing is arranged by our on-site partners. You’ll live in shared student apartments in each of the three locations. Apartments have shared bedrooms and bathrooms, as well as shared living spaces. In most cases, these apartments are in apartment buildings shared with Italian families. In Florence and Sicily, you’ll be about a 20–30 minute walk from classes. In Istanbul, you’ll likely be about a 30-minute metro commute from classes. Meals are not included, but apartments include kitchens with essential cooking utensils.
Excursions
Local visits that are academically tied to the coursework are included in all locations. Examples include:
- Local markets
- Urban farms
- NGOs
- Migrant neighborhoods
- Vineyards
- Museums
- Agricultural sites
- Media production centers
Flight
You’ll be responsible for booking your own flight in and out of Europe, based on your starting and ending destination. Flights between the three locations are included in the program fee.
Faculty & Staff
On-site support is provided by ACCENT Global. ACCENT on-site staff provide information regarding cultural activities as well as ensuring 24-hour emergency support. ACCENT provides housing, classrooms, and study areas, as well as on-site orientation, program excursions, and social and cultural events. Local and international faculty from universities in and around Florence, Sicily, and Istanbul provide all course instruction. Courses are hosted in ACCENT Global Study Centers in Florence, Sicily, and Istanbul.
Program Structure
Program Level
3000 Level Courses
Courseload
16 credits
Coursework
All courses are taught in English at the upper-division level.
Semester-Long Courses
Two umbrella courses, taught across all locations throughout the semester, weave together themes and perspectives of the three areas of focus—Florence, Siracusa, and Istanbul:
- Sustainability, Tradition, & Innovation in Mediterranean Food Systems
- Food, Identity, & Citizenship: A Mediterranean Perspective
Site-Specific Courses
Two site-specific courses, one in Florence and one in Sicily, are shorter and focus on the individual city and their unique configurations of food production and consumption. The site-specific courses are designed to enrich your sensibilities, imagination, and knowledge about the complexities of regional differences in terms of class, gender, and ethnicity and their resonances in everyday life:
- Social Activism & Food Justice in Sicily: Fair Trade, Labor Rights, & Migration
- Sustainable Tuscany: Food, Entrepreneurship, & Tourism
Global Identity
Global Identity: Connecting Your International Experience with Your Future is an optional 1-credit online course that helps you process your international experience and apply what you've learned upon your return. Global Identity gives you the opportunity to work individually with a trained cultural mentor, helping you articulate your newly acquired skills and differentiating you from your peers.
To access more information about the course, visit the Global Identity Course Information page.
Program Dates
Submit the online application and complete the assigned application checklist according to the appropriate deadline:
| Term | Program Dates | Application Open Date | Application Deadline |
| Fall 2024 | Late August–mid-December | December 1, 2023 | April 1, 2024 |
Fees
University of Minnesota participants pay the program fee instead of on-campus tuition and fees for the term they are abroad.
Fall 2024 Cost of Participation
Fees or tuition from home institutions may be added to or differ from the University of Minnesota Learning Abroad Center fees listed on this page.
Billing & Payments
Visit Billing for information about the billing process for application fees, deposits, and program fees.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Visit Financial Information for information on using financial aid and scholarships for study abroad.
Bridging Loan
Bridging Loan, a no-interest/no-fees loan that funds the upfront deposit and flights costs, is available for this program for eligible students.
Cancellation Policy
Before you apply to or confirm your participation on this program, review the Learning Abroad Center's Cancellation Policy to inform yourself of the timeline and financial obligations for canceling.
Fall 2024
Sustainable Food Systems in the MediterraneanApartment 1—Shared Student ApartmentFall Semester 2024 |
|
|---|---|
Program Fee
|
|
| Non-refundable deposit | $400 |
| Tuition and educational costsIncludes the flight from Italy to Istanbul | $13,057 |
| International health insurance | $208 |
| Housing and/or mealsRent and utilities included. No meals included. | $3,630 |
| Transportation (if required and included in program fee) | $0 |
| Total Program Fee | $17,295 |
| Program discount for University of Minnesota and Big Ten students, if applicable | $0 |
| Total Program Fee with discount, if applicable | $17,295 |
Estimated Additional Expenses
|
|
| Costs Typically Incurred Prior to Departure These costs may need to be paid before your financial aid is disbursed for your term abroad. | |
| Transportation to and from program siteFlights from MSP to Italy, from Istanbul to MSP, as well as the internal flight between Florence and Sicily | $2,200 |
| Passport/photos | $150 |
| Visa/required documents$60 for the student visa, $50 for using the UofM visa service, and $120 for the residence permit, when you arrive on-site. | $230 |
| Travel clinic/immunizations* | $0 |
| Housing deposit | $0 |
| Total Estimated Cost Incurred Prior to Departure | $2,580 |
| Costs Typically Incurred After Arrival in Host Country | |
| Texts/materials | $100 |
| Housing and/or meals not included in program fee$175 per week for meals | $2,625 |
| Essential daily living expensesIncludes the cost of a required cell phone, transportation costs, toiletries, etc. | $1,000 |
| Total Estimated Cost Incurred After Arrival in Host Country | $3,725 |
Total Estimated Cost of Participation
|
|
| Total Estimated Cost of Participation | $23,600 |
| Spending money and personal travel Not included in financial aid calculation | $1,500 |
| Additional Notes & Information | |
| * Immunizations Note: This estimate is based on approximate cost of travel-related vaccinations and medications required for entry or recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Your costs may be higher or lower depending on your travel clinic, the specific immunizations and medication prescribed, and your insurance coverage. | |
Prepare
Complete pre-application advising.
US Passport holders require a visa to study on this program. In order to obtain a visa, you must have a valid passport. Current US passport processing times are longer than normal. If you do not have a passport, or your passport expires less than 6 months after your return date from your time abroad, apply for a new passport now.
Apply
You will be charged a $50 application fee for each application you submit.The COVID-19 vaccine series is strongly recommended, pursuant to CDC guidelines, but not required for participation in this program.
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:
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 an additional essay. It will be added to your checklist after you start your application, and you will be notified when it has been added.
Application Review Process
After your application checklist is complete, our program team will review your application. You’ll be notified of an acceptance decision by email. If accepted, you will have two weeks to confirm your spot on the program. Once confirmed, you must complete additional forms before participating in the program. If you decide to discontinue the application process, log into the online application system and submit a Cancel Request.
After You Apply
Before your program begins, review these resources.
Health & Safety
Learn more about staying healthy and safe abroad, including mental health and wellness, international travel insurance, and safety precautions.
Power of Attorney
Consider designating someone as your power of attorney to act as your legal representative while you’re abroad.
Student Identity
Consult our resources on student identities as you prepare for your abroad experience.
Travel Resources
Ready to go abroad? Our travel resources will help you pack and learn what to expect.
Program Contact
For further information or questions about this program, send an email to
Clara Arent at [email protected],
or call at
612.301.1571