<p>If she does decide to study abroad in Italy, it is difficult to find classes/programs taught in Italian. Almost all study abroad programs in Italy are taught in English (obviously with the exception of Italian language classes). She should make sure that classes are taught in Italian or she has an Italian roommate so she can improve her language skills.</p>
<p>All Smith classes abroad in Italy are taught Italian. Some are classes at the University of Florence itself. Students take a pledge not to use English in their private lives either. Home stays are planned with families that speak no or very little English. (There are no “roommates”). But I have seen some of these study abroad programs in Italy (the NYU/Duke program specifically comes to mind) which are really a joke.</p>
<p>The minor itself is not useful for graduate studies in social sciences or humanities - but accomplishment in either one or two languages is.</p>
<p>My son’s experience is that a language pledge is critical and even with one there will probably be some people who break it. A group in his first program gave up the first weekend to his irritation.</p>