Study Abroad in Italy | Study in Italy Programs

A Study Abroad in Italy places you in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea and into a vibrant country, rich in history, art, architecture, culture and cuisine. When you study in a foreign country, it gives you a sense of discovery, but not in the same way as being a tourist. When studying abroad in Italy, first of all, you are stepping out of your comfort zone. Second, you are taking in your surroundings while cultivating friendships, settling into the ritual of attending classes, finding local places to eat and hang out as well as going on excursions and field trips. Whether you are interested in an Italian language immersion or another subject, studying in Italy warrants consideration for so many reasons.

FUN FACT: The "Laurea triennale" corresponds roughly to a Bachelor Degree”[i]

Why Consider a Study Abroad in Italy?

A Study Abroad in Italy means earning credits towards an undergraduate degree while exploring a dynamic country – one you may only have seen in textbooks (it looks like a boot). The great thing about an Italy Study Abroad is that there are so many reasons to find a program that fits your study goals or checks a few things off your bucket list (e.g. eat FRESH pizza in Naples where it was invented?)

Learn Italian Studying Abroad in Italy

Do you have a foreign language requirement? If so, studying Italian in Italy means you get to practice in real-time settings, like when you order your morning expresso, or say “buongiorno” to your professor in the morning. Plus, you get to pick up on local dialects, which isn’t something you always get in a language lab. Also, Italy borders with France, Switzerland, Austrian and Slovenia so you may pick up a few other foreign phrases as you go along!

Live and Learn History with Study Abroad in Italy

The history of Italy comes alive when you study there; for one thing, you are literally walking on soil that has a legacy (think Roman Empire). Plus, Italy has 51 UNESCO Heritage sites which is more than any country in the world, with enough art and architecture, museums and monuments (about 100,000 just FYI) to keep you enthralled, even if history is an elective.

Art and Architecture Appreciation

If you happen to be majoring in art or architecture, or just want an enriching experience, a Study Abroad in Italy should be top choice. See the Sistine Chapel, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Trevi Fountain, Michelangelo’s ‘David’, Da Vinci’s ‘Last Supper’ and works by Bernini, Raphael and Caravaggio. “When in Rome… !” It is these extra ingredients to education that sometimes affect us the most!

Fashion and Design Per Favore

A Study Abroad in Italy brings you into a country regarded as super-stylish, between Milan, Florence and Rome some of the top fashion labels emerged from here (think: Gucci, Prada, Armani, Dolce & Gabbana). So if you are a fashion major, hopefully you can shop til you drop between design classes. And let’s not forget that design also means furniture and fancy cars (Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Fiat, Lamborghini, Maserati) so make sure to look both ways before crossing the street!

Foodie Fun

You may not have started out with the intention of trying every Gelato place in every Italian city you visit but no one would blame you. Birthplace of Tiramisu, pasta, olive oil, and an abundance of regional dishes and local wines, you may want to take cooking class or major in culinary arts! Study abroad in Italy give you the opportunity to sample the many delicacies throughout the country.

Have ‘Fitbit’ will Travel

Depending on what season you go, Italy is geographically splendid, so you could feasibly lay on the beaches of Capri, or do some hiking in the Italian Alps. Otherwise get your steps in walking your host city or rent a bike. Plenty of ways to stay active. Of course, you may just want to chill and watch a soccer game with your local friends; Italy’s soccer team has won 4 FIFA World Cups.

Music and More

Maybe you want to study music abroad in Italy, birthplace of Vivaldi, opera and talents such as Luciano Pavarotti and Andrea Bocelli. Summer in Italy is usually a great time to catch local music festivals.

Going to Class

A good resource is to check past participant feedback as it might help you get a feel for the school you will be attending; a pretty cool thing about Italy is that the University of Bologna, founded in 1808 is the oldest university in the world, with the University of Padua and the University of Naples among the oldest in Europe. We are sensing some history here, and plenty of reason to get excited about studying in Italy.

Find A Study Abroad in Italy

Depending on whether you have a semester or a year for a Study Abroad in Italy, you will find different program options, ranging from pastry baking to interior design, international business or language. You might want a Summer Study Abroad in Florence to experience Tuscany or to spend Winter Semester Abroad in Rome. If you can take a full year abroad, you may get to tour multiple cities or just settle into your host city and school. Start to browse sponsored listings to get a taste of some fantastic options.


[i] en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higher_education_in_Italy | en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italy