Faulty Led Program

Faulty Led Program

I'm just wondering if other U.S. colleges and universities are having the same problem…every faculty-led study abroad program to Italy (from my campus) goes to Florence.  Actually, we have one that goes to Rome, but I don't understand why more faculty don't venture out a bit. Certainly Florence is a wonderful city, no doubt about it, but as a study abroad director, I'm interested in variety, and immersing students in Italian culture. Italy is a big, beautiful country with lots of variety and culture; Italy isn't Florence. Maybe they just don't know what else is out there? Hence, the reason for this post, which identifies five “other” places around Italy where faculty can (or already do) take their students to study abroad.

Most Unique Faculty-led Study Abroad Program - Harvard Univeristy offers a unique 8-week summer faculty-led program to study neuroscience at the University of Trento, organized by the Mind/Brain/Behavior Interfaculty Initiative. What better place to study the mind than in Italy! What I really like about this program is it enrolls both US and Italian students to foster a cross-cultural learning environment. More faculty-led programs should take this approach. I've never been fond of the floating American bubble abroad. Trento is on the northeast corner of Italy. The program also offers excursions and trips designed to immerse students in Italian culture and tradition.

Most Bang for your Buck (near Florence) - Casa Cares is a 15th century villa overlooking a beautiful valley with mountains on the other side.  The villa houses guests, arranges airport transportation as well as excursions, and offers delicious meals by a gifted chef who features fresh ingredients and Tuscan dishes.  They can also find local guest lecturers to teach your group. Ted Remley, Professor of Counseling at Old Dominion University, has been taking students here for the past seven years. He touts it as an inexpensive, high quality villa for student groups in the Tuscany region of Italy.

Most Authentic ...