Prospective Students

Italian opens the door to one of the world's richest cultural traditions while providing access to the language and culture of contemporary Italy.

You do not need to have studied Italian before coming to Dickinson. Many of our majors and minors begin with ITAL 101 and discover Italian after arriving on campus. Whether you are completely new to the language or have studied Italian before, Dickinson offers a pathway that builds on your experience and interests.

Students of Italian explore subjects ranging from literature, film, art and music to history, politics, migration, food, fashion, business and contemporary society. Learning the language allows students to engage with these subjects from perspectives that are not available through English alone.

At Dickinson, Italian can also become an international experience. Students have the opportunity to study in Bologna, take courses alongside Italian students at the University of Bologna, participate in internships and community-engagement experiences, and use Italian in everyday life.

Italian also complements many other fields of study. Our students combine Italian with areas such as international studies, business, economics, history, art history, film and media studies, educational studies and the sciences. Studying another language develops communication skills, intercultural competence and the ability to work across linguistic and cultural boundaries.

Explore Italian at Dickinson

• Start Studying Italian — Find out how to begin Italian at Dickinson, whether you are new to the language or have studied Italian before.
• Major or Minor in Italian Studies — Explore the Italian Studies major and Italian minor.
• Study in Bologna — Learn about Dickinson's immersive Italian Studies program in Bologna.
• Italian Beyond the Classroom — Discover Italian Club, Tavola italiana, Casa italiana and other opportunities to use Italian and experience Italian culture outside class.
• Jobs, Internships & Opportunities — See how students can build professional experience through Italian, including internships, research and post-graduation opportunities.
• SITE Paid Internship in Italy — Learn about the paid teaching internship in Lombardy available to graduating students and recent graduates.