SMU-in-Lugano, Switzerland
The SMU-in- Switzerland program is a 4-week intensive summer term designed for intermediate and advanced Italian students who wish to combine their study of the Italian language with the history and culture of Italy in Lugano, in the Italian speaking Southern part of Switzerland.
Lugano
is the biggest city in Ticino, the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland. It lies on Lake Lugano, and is surrounded by mountains, including Monte Brè, Monte San Salvatore and the Sighignola. The Italian border lies about 8 km (5 miles) from the centre of town – the suburbs of Gandria to the east and Ponte Tresa to the West, stretch right up to the frontier. Thanks to its surrounding mountains and the lake, and the fact that its situation south of the Alps gives it a milder climate than most of Switzerland, Lugano is a popular holiday destination, and tourism is an important source of income. The city is Switzerland's third biggest financial centre. All the major Swiss banks, as well as a number of private international banks have offices there. Commerce also plays an important role in the city's economy. Lugano is the main base for the Università della Svizzera Italiana (the University of Italian-speaking Switzerland), founded in 1996, which also has close links with universities in northern Italy.
Classes will be held on the campus of the Franklin College (www.fc.edu).
Franklin College Switzerland is a four-year, US accredited Liberal Arts College. The residential campus overlooks Lake Lugano and is 15 minutes from the city center. The student body represents over 50 nationalities. As an accredited US college, Franklin courses qualify for transfer credit to colleges and universities throughout the US. Among the facilities offered by the College are student residential apartments, classrooms, library, auditorium/theatre, art studios, computer labs, gymnasium, sports playing field, student center and cafeteria. All study abroad students live in college housing. The college maintains 8 apartment buildings and students have either single or double rooms in apartments with kitchen facilities available.
In addition to several day excursions that will take place over weekends, a week-end long trip is planned for the group each summer. In 2011 the group will travel to Sicily, where it will explore Sicilian culture, traditions, and historical sites while enjoying traditional foods of this beautiful Italian Island. Besides having the freedom to explore many cities in Switzerland and Northern Italy, students have the opportunity to organize independent travel on weekends to visit other popular destinations in Italy.
Application cycle: January 15 -March 1, 2013
Contact the SMU Study Abroad office for more details or visit their website https://abroad.smu.edu/
Two semester programs in Italy are also available:
SMU-in-Italy: Bologna Consortial Studies Program
University of Bologna, Bologna
Indiana University's Bologna Consortial Studies Program (BCSP) offers qualified undergraduate students an opportunity to study for a full academic year or spring semester at the University of Bologna for U.S. college credit.
The BCSP was founded by Indiana University in 1964 and is now a consortium of seven universities. The member institutions – Indiana University, the University of Chicago, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the University of Minnesota, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Wisconsin, Madison – jointly set the program's academic standards. Indiana University’s Office of Overseas Study is responsible for administering the program on behalf of the consortium.
Seven other institutions – Columbia University, Barnard College, Bryn Mawr College, Cornell University, Mt. Holyoke College, Northwestern University and Notre Dame University – are associate members of BCSP, whose students receive preferential access among non-consortium applicants.
BCSP's on-site staff includes an academic resident director, a program coordinator and a housing and exchange coordinator.
For more information: https://abroad.smu.edu
CIEE, University of Ferrara, Language and Culture program, Italy
This program is designed for students with 0 to 3 semesters of Italian language, who want to be immersed in the culture of their host country by studying in a small and untouristed Renaissance city. Students will improve their Italian language skills, but will take content courses in English.
The CIEE Study Center in Ferrara opened in 2003. This program is designed for students with little or no Italian language background with a strong interest in learning the Italian language and culture through content courses taught in English and an intensive Italian language class. Eligible students may want to consider spending the spring semester in the Liberal Arts program in Ferrara.
- Immerse yourself in Italian through an intensive Italian language course, whether you are at a beginning or intermediate level
- Take courses in English concerning contemporary and historic Italian issues
- Visit art museums, cathedrals, and participate in group dinners and local festivals
- Explore nearby cities such as Mantua, Bologna, Siena, Pisa, and Ravenna
- Learn how to make Italian food by taking a cooking class
For more information: https://abroad.smu.edu