Summer 2010

May 16 - June 26, 2010

Sponsored by the Department of French, Classics and Italian in the College of Arts & Letters

Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)

What's this program about?

The Italian studies program in Florence brings together the study of language, and the culture and civilization of late Medieval and Renaissance Italy.  Florence, the capital of Tuscany and the cradle of the Renaissance, is situated on the banks of the Arno River in central Italy.  It witnessed a flowering of cultural activity from the 13th through the 16th centuries that signaled the beginning of the modern age and transformed the western world’s ideas of literature, the arts and sciences, philosophy, education, and business.

The program takes full advantage of the unique resources of this beautiful city’s rich heritage.  Tours of Florence’s renowned galleries, museums and churches form an integral part of the students’ experience.  Sites include the Academy of Fine Arts, home of Michelangelo’s David; the magnificent cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore with its celebrated cupola; the Bargello Museum, home of numerous works by Donatello; and the Uffizi Gallery, the most important collection of paintings in Italy and one of the great art collections of the world. 

In modern Florence, an international center of contemporary visual and performing arts, Italy’s renowned artistic traditions continue with exhibits, concerts, ballet, theater, opera, and film festivals.

Michigan State University offers coursework in Italian language, literature and culture with classes meeting four days a week.  Weekends provide an opportunity for independent travel.  Housing and classrooms are a short distance from the city’s center and cultural sites.

What can I study?

Students are required to enroll for a minimum of seven (7), maximum of eight (8), credits as follows:

• A required language course
• A second-tier IAH in Italian culture and civilization

This program stresses academic excellence, and class attendance is mandatory.  Before enrolling, students must consult the director, Professor Francese, for proper placement.  Course offerings depend on sufficient enrollment.

A typical academic program consists of the following:

A.) One course in Italian language:

B.) One course in Italian culture and civilization:

*Honors option available

Course prerequisites may apply; see Course Descriptions (on the MSU Website) or program leader for details.

For example, in order to enroll for IAH 221B, students must have earned credit in their first IAH course requirement (IAH 201-210) prior to the beginning of this study abroad program.

What are the requirements?

This program is open to qualified undergraduate and graduate students in all fields from Michigan State University and other universities. 

No previous knowledge of Italian is necessary.  Qualifying students with no knowledge of Italian may enroll in an elementary course and integrate coursework with practical experience gained by interacting with their host family and the city’s residents.  Knowledge of the language is the key to a rewarding study abroad experience.   The Italian spoken in Florence and the region of Tuscany is the basis of standard Italian.

Students must be in good academic standing, with a grade point average of at least 2.8 at the time of application.  Meeting this minimum grade point average does not, however, guarantee admission.

Participants will also be required to submit an approximately 300-word essay referencing their desire to participate in this program which they will discuss in their interview with the program leader.

Applicants’ participation may be denied or their participation approval may be revoked if their conduct before departure raises doubts as to their suitability for program participation.

Where will I live?

Students will lodge with families where they will take morning and evening meals.  Vouchers will be given to students for lunches at a local restaurant on all class days.  This arrangement allows students to also sample the fine cuisine of Florence’s many trattorie or the cooking of other regions of Italy on weekends. (The homestay is mandatory for this program.)

Who can tell me more about this program?

Dr. Joseph Francese
Department of French, Classics, and Italian
244 Old Horticulture Bldg.

Do I need a passport or visa?

U.S. and non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport both to enter other countries and to return to the United States.  If you already have a passport, make sure it is valid until at least six months after your return date.  If you must apply for or renew a passport, APPLY EARLY, since a minimum of eight to ten weeks is usually required for processing.  During peak travel seasons, more processing time is required.  Passport forms are available at many federal and state courts, probate courts, some county/municipal offices and some post offices.  They can also be downloaded from the Web.

For more information about passports visit the web page.

A visa is official permission granted by the authorities of a country where you will study or travel that allows you to enter and remain in that country for a specific purpose.  The visa itself is frequently a stamp in your passport, not a separate document. You will need a passport before applying for a visa and the passport plus visa process may take several months, so start early.  It is your responsibility to inquire about visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad; this includes countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program.  If you are not a U.S. citizen, consult the embassy or consulate of the countries you will visit to learn their document requirements.

For more information about visas visit the web page.

If you will be staying in Europe for longer than 90 days, you will need to contact the consulate(s) of your host country(ies) for advice on visas.

Are there special health issues?

As part of your acceptance you will complete a Student Health/Emergency Treatment Authorization. It is your responsibility to ensure that your routine immunizations are up-to-date; inquire whether there are recommended and/or required immunizations or medications for the country/countries you will visit (including any countries you will visit that are not part of the study abroad program’s itinerary); and review educational issues relevant to your personal health and safety.

For further health information and recommendations visit the "Health Issues" section of the Student Handbook.

How much does it cost?

The program fee is $3,741 and includes the following:

• application fee ($100)
• deposit ($200)
• pre-departure orientation
• accommodations (homestays)
• most meals (breakfast and dinner seven days per week with host family, plus four lunches per week)
• a city bus pass
• a museum entrance card
• class trips
• required texts for the Italian language course
• accident and sickness insurance

Amounts not included in the program fee for which participants will need to budget include:

• MSU tuition and fees*
• airfare
• additional meals
• additional books and supplies
• passport application fee
• visa application fees (U.S. citizens do not need a visa for this program)
• pre-departure doctor visits
• pre-departure immunizations (if applicable)
• personal spending money

Excluding tuition and fees*, these additional costs are estimated at $4,750 (US 2010).  Students may request a cost sheet which lists both the program fee and an estimate of additional expenses by contacting the Office of Study Abroad at (517) 353-8920.

*Check Student Accounts for current tuition, fees and taxes. MSU students pay the same amount they would pay to study at MSU; non-MSU students pay the Lifelong Education rate.

Approximately two months before the program’s departure date, students will receive an e-bill from the MSU Student Accounts Office for the study abroad program fee.  Students will also be e-billed for tuition and fees, based on the number of credits taken, once they have enrolled in courses.  (Both amounts may be billed at the same time.)

How can I get help to pay for it?

Financial assistance is available to students who make appropriate arrangements with the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) and MSU’s Office of Financial Aid. 

If you are an MSU student and indicate on your application that you plan to use financial aid to pay for your study abroad experience, OSA will forward an estimated cost sheet to the MSU Office of Financial Aid for processing.  This form will include all anticipated costs associated with the program, including airfare.

If you are a non-MSU student, please request financial aid from your home university.  If your university is unable to award you financial aid, contact the MSU Office of Study Abroad to apply for loans only and you will be provided with instructions on how to proceed.

For further information about financial aid, visit the Web page.

Additionally, MSU students applying to any credit-bearing study abroad program are eligible for OSA Scholarships.   Some scholarships are based exclusively on academic performance; others are based on a combination of academic performance and financial need.  Requirements are listed in the scholarship application.  The deadline to apply for these scholarships is March 1st for summer programs.  

A generous endowment from the MSU Federal Credit Union, as well as additional resources provided through the Forest Akers Endowment, MSU Alumni Association, the Australia-Pacific Council, Eleanor and Charles Greenleaf Sr., Brigitte and Thomas Huff, the Georges Jules Joyaux Memorial Fund, the Kellogg Foundation, Charles and Marjorie Gliozzo, and contributors to the Overseas Study Endowment provide funding for these OSA scholarships.

For even more MSU scholarship opportunities through individual colleges or external scholarship possibilities (including funding for Multicultural students) visit the web page.

How do I apply?

You can apply online or download an application form.

Applications must be received in the Office of Study Abroad by March 1st for summer programs.  We strongly recommend that you apply early as this program may fill to capacity prior to this deadline.

Selection of applicants is done on a rolling admission basis - that is, applications are accepted and students are evaluated and considered for admission throughout the academic year.  Please remember that applying early and meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission.

A $100 application fee is required.  Students will receive an e-bill for the application fee that is applied to the cost of the program and is non-refundable once a student has accepted admission into the program.  Students who have accepted admission may also be billed for a non-refundable and non-transferable $200 deposit, also applied to the cost of the program.

Students who wish to withdraw their application are required to notify the Office of Study Abroad, in writing, that they no longer intend to participate.

Acceptance to all programs is based, minimally, on a faculty review of your transcript and a review of the Judicial Affairs Office records (MSU students) or Dean of Students Reference (non-MSU students).

Details about the admissions process, pre-departure information, what to know while you’re abroad, and information about returning home can be found in the Study Abroad Student Handbook that will be sent to you with your acceptance letter.