<p>My S is interested in studying in Italy for the Fall, does anyone have an experience with a good program? Is it better to go directly to an Italian university rather than a program with a US university? He is in his third year of an Italian major.</p>
<p>I would have thought an Italian university would be best if he’s majoring in Italian, otherwise he may find himself in an Anglophone environment and not able to use his Italian much. But im not really qualified to give any advice, thats just the impression i’ve gotten from reading up on US programmes abroad.</p>
<p>I am a big fan of going on your own. I did a summer semester at the Universita Italian per Stranieri in Siena. Just to give you an idea of the cost: 470 euros per month (maybe less for the trimester course, which there are 4 of per year). Housing was around 250 euros a month for me.</p>
<p>Classes were great–did 20 hours a week of Italian language, and then did some Italian culture classes. Like your son, I already had a few years of Italian under my belt, but realized how much more there was to learn. My ability to speak Italian today is really more the result of spending time in Italy than All the classes I did at my home university.</p>
<p>There are programs throughout Italy. To give you an example, here’ the link for the Universita Italiana per Stranieri – the English version seems to be under revision, but the Italian version is all there:</p>
<p>[Universit</a> per Stranieri di Siena](<a href=“http://www.unistrasi.it/]Universit”>http://www.unistrasi.it/)</p>
<p>There’s a similar program in Perugia–I did a summer program there and really didn’t enjoy Perugia. I thought Siena was much better for a number of reasons.</p>
<p>I haven’t looked into other programs lately, but I think that there are similar italian international programs at the University of Bologna and a university in Torino. </p>
<p>Two more resources–for Italian language schools offering the same types of programs as the Italian universities:</p>
<p>[Language</a> School Links. Learn Italian in Italy at an Italian langauge school or Italian university program for foreigners.](<a href=“http://languageschoollinks.com/italy/index.html]Language”>http://languageschoollinks.com/italy/index.html)</p>
<p>And don’t forget the Italian Cultural Institute:</p>
<p>[Italian</a> Cultural Institute of New York](<a href=“http://www.iicnewyork.esteri.it/IIC_NewYork/Menu/Imparare_Italiano/Corsi_per_stranieri_in_Italia/]Italian”>http://www.iicnewyork.esteri.it/IIC_NewYork/Menu/Imparare_Italiano/Corsi_per_stranieri_in_Italia/)</p>
<p>The link I just posted above includes the following links for programs at Italian universities:</p>
<h1>Universit</h1>
<p>Thanks so much for your information. Since my last post he was offered an internship in Rome after he graduates. I think he will continue with University there in Italy.</p>
<p>Wow, thanks for the links. We’re planning a trip for DD as a graduation present this summer.</p>
<p>Awesome graduation present – definitely gonna be much appreciated, I think!</p>
<p>@ magellan - just curious, what didn’t you like about Perugia? Was it the school program or the town/location itself that turned you off? I imagine the kids get as much out of exploring the country & its people as from the classes themselves, so are there better programs to facilitate this? D is planning a semester in Italy in her junior year (for 2011-12) and is a political science major. Her school has a study-abroad option there which sounds terrific (the Umbra Institute).</p>
<p>I have read Magellan’s posts about Perugia, and she may have more to compare with or personal reasons for her dislike of the city, but my daughter is finishing up a 10-week internship in the chemistry department at the University of Perugia, and she and the other 2 girls with her have greatly enjoyed the city. Its location has allowed them to travel to many other cities on the weekends (including Siena, which is indeed very nice). We traveled with my d when she left and spent several days in Perugia helping her get settled in and enjoyed the city and the area. Magellan has offered some wonderful advice on study abroad and has given many on this board sound advice, but my d’s experience in Perugia (and my own) were very positive.</p>