Dickinson in ITALY: Italian Studies

ACADEMICS AND INTERNSHIPS 

The Italian Studies program aims to facilitate the perfection of our students’ language and intercultural skills by offering courses in Italian. All students enroll in four courses each semester. Students will take courses taught in Italian at the Bologna Center and at the University of Bologna. Courses taken at the University of Bologna may be used to fulfill many of the major and minor requirements—this program is open to students from all disciplines. Students will commit to using Italian in all aspects of their lives in Bologna and outside the classroom. Traditionally, internships have only been allowed for year-long students, but short-term internships will be offered for one-semester students with a high level of maturity, cultural awareness, and the linguistic skills to excel in such an environment. When internships are not possible, civic engagement volunteering activities will be encouraged. 

ACADEMIC EXCURSIONS 

The Italian Studies program offers several excursions to areas of cultural, political and historical interest both in and around Bologna and throughout Italy. In the past, faculty have taken students to Assisi, Urbino, Perugia, Trieste, Siena, the Tuscan countryside, and other interesting sites. Given Bologna’s central location and Italy’s richness in art and culture, students can easily discover many beautiful towns that are worth visiting. Full-year students participate in an additional excursion to Poland. 

HOUSING AND MEALS 

Because the Italian Program encourages direct contact with the Italian language and culture, students have the option of living in a homestay or in an Italian language apartment with other program participants as well as a native Italian college student who will also serve as a cultural bridge. Students who choose the homestay option will eat meals with their host family while students residing in an Italian apartment receive a food stipend to buy and cook their own food. 

STAFF 

Bruno Grazioli serves as Resident Director and Faculty of the Italian Studies Program in Bologna. His interests span from 19th century Italian culture (national identity, unification process, historical novels) to 20th century Italian design. He is also interested in language teaching pedagogy, and has received 4 Mellon grants to develop blended-learning material for beginner and intermediate Italian courses. He is assisted by Administrative Director and Dickinson alumna Ellen Laird ’02 and Program Associate Elena Giulia Dall’Acqua. The on-campus Coordinator is Senior Lecturer of Italian Luca Lanzilotta.