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"I was shocked at how quickly I was able to pick things up when Italian is all that I heard! Taking classes taught in Italian, I was surprised by how quickly I got used to explaining my thoughts in another language. After just a couple of weeks I found myself speaking up in class without even stopping to translate my thoughts. I was thinking in Italian! Overall, my full-immersion experience was invaluable."
- Rachele, Carlton College
The Italy program is based at Siena Italian Studies, and courses are taught by their faculty. You will engage in a 3-week intensive course in Italian, then continue your Italian studies and take a course in Socio-Anthropology for the rest of the semester, usually for a total of 14 credits. A transcript is issued by Siena Italian Studies upon successful completion of the program.
NOTE: For students whose home institution requires a U.S. transcript, academic credit will be awarded upon completion of the semester on an official transcript issued by Siena College. Siena College is a four-year, fully accredited U.S. college located in Loudonville, New York.
All students begin the program with an intensive 3-week course of 25 hours per week. After an entrance exam, students are placed in appropriate levels and participate every day in classes and activities designed to develop all linguistic abilities. A wide variety of teaching materials is used.
Required | Recommended US Credits: 3 | More Course InformationStudents are placed in the appropriate level and continue to study Italian 2 hours a day, 4 days a week. Classes include activities linked to experiences in the city, student presentations, discussions, videos, quizzes, and writing assignments, as well as the study of specific aspects of Italian grammar. The intermediate and advanced levels provide a complete study of grammatical and communicative structures using materials that are varied in both content and type.
Required | Recommended US Credits: 6 | More Course InformationA two-part course taught in Italian. The first unit is an in-depth overview of modern Italian society, taking a sociological, linguistic, anthropological, and historical approach, and incorporating current political and social views of Italian society. The second unit focuses on the students’ volunteer experiences, linking their observations in the field to in-class projects and papers. Using the IPSL textbook Charting a Hero’s Journey as a guide, students keep a reflective journal.
Required | Recommended US Credits: 5 | More Course InformationIPSL students may take any additional SIS courses in which they would like to participate.
Optional | Recommended US Credits: 3 | More Course Information