Program Location
Quick Links
Contact the Program Director
Lindsey Pedersen
Art Department
P: 480-461-7530
Office: AC Office #1
lindsey.pedersen@mesacc.edu
Not Offered in 2025
Explore art history and intercultural communication in Italy – the heart of the Roman Empire, the cradle of the Renaissance and Baroque, and a global center for art, fashion, food, and design! The buildings, piazzas, and museums of Florence, Bologna, Siena, and Venice* will be your classroom as you experience the rich art and culture of Italy.
The program begins in Florence, where participants stay in shared apartments near the CEA CAPA Florence Study Center. As part of this art-intensive program, you will visit the major museums, architecture, and piazzas of the city, including the Duomo, Uffizi Gallery, Accademia, Boboli Gardens, Pitti Palace, Medici Chapels, and Basilica and Museum of San Marco. Through CEA CAPA’s program, you will also have access to intercultural learning activities with local students and scholars.
From Florence, you will visit the Tuscan town of Siena and the university city of Bologna. Finally, you may visit Venice*, a city with a rich, multicultural heritage dating back to the medieval period. Highlights include the Piazza San Marco, the Doge’s Palace, the Rialto, and modern and contemporary art at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection.
*Venice is an optional excursion
Italy Program Excursions
- Bologna* day trip
- Florence*: Timed entrances to the following:
- Siena* day trip
- Entrances to Palazzo Pubblico, Duomo, and Museo del Duomo
- Entrance to a contrada museum
- Venice* (Optional trip for additional cost of $145)
- Piazza San Marco
- The Doge’s Palace
- Rialto
- Modern and contemporary art at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and the Venice Biennale
Summer Courses You Will Take During Program
- 6 credit program - Registration for courses will begin on March 4 for current MCC students and on March 18 for all other students.
- REQUIRED hybrid coursework begins prior to departure: Tentative dates: TBA
- ARH102 15347: Renaissance through Contemporary Art (3 cr) [H, HU]
- Instructor: Lindsey Pedersen
- COM263 15058: Elements of Intercultural Communication (3 cr) [C, G, SB]
- Instructor: Dr. Puvana Ganesan
- Mandatory study abroad orientation on TBA from 9 am - 2 pm at MCC.
Detailed Information
Italy Program Details
Program includes:
- Welcome meal at a local restaurant
- Historical walking tour of Florence
- Farewell dinner or cultural event to mark the end of the program
- Florence bus pass
- Optional day trip to Venice for an additional $145
Student Housing
- Student apartments will include a fully equipped kitchen, bathroom, television, Wi-Fi, and utilities.
- There are typically 4-6 students per apartment. Student room arrangements are typically doubles and triples.
Did You Know??
- The Venice Film Festival was founded in 1932 and is the oldest international film festival in the world.
- Italians refer to one another by their city of origin (Milanese, Roman, Florentine, etc.).
- Italy surrounds two independent nations: San Marino and Vatican City (Holy See).
- In 1986, when McDonald’s opened in Rome, protestors against the fast-food chain stood outside the restaurant and handed out free pasta.
- Currency used is the euro (symbol: €; code: EUR)
- Read more detailed cultural information on Italy provided by CultureGrams™ Italy (2023). CultureGrams Online Edition. ProQuest.
- Diversity Abroad Italy Destination Guide
Estimated Program Costs & Deadlines
| Expense Type | Estimated Cost | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
|
Program Fee |
$TBA |
Program Fee Due: TBA $250 Confirmation Deposit Due (towards total program fee): upon acceptance to program |
|
Registration Fee Tuition: 6 credits |
$ 15 |
|
| Airfare (estimated cost) | $1,800 |
Your program director will provide you with instructions on purchasing airfare for your program. Only after you have received these instructions should you purchase airfare. |
| Ground transportation that is not included in program fee | $ 20 | |
|
Meals |
$ 350 | Not needed until you land in Italy! |
| TOTAL Estimated Costs | $TBA | (program fee, tuition, airfare and meals) |
| ADDITIONAL COSTS | ||
| Optional day trip to Venice | $145 | Estimated cost for roundtrip transportation, vaporetto pass, Peggy Guggenheim Collection entrance |
| Textbooks | N/A | No textbooks required. |
Passport
Passport Info HereYour passport must be valid at least 6 months beyond the date of your return to the USA. |
$165/130 |
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ETIAS travel authorisation (scheduled to go into effect in 2025) Entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals travelling to any of these 30 European countries. Linked to a traveller’s passport, it is valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. If you get a new passport, you need to get a new ETIAS travel authorisation. Cost will be 7 euros which is estimated to be about $8. |
$8 |
Must have passport first! Most applications are processed within minutes. It is possible however that your application may take longer to process. If so, you will receive a decision within four days. Please note that this period could be extended by up to 14 days if you are requested to provide additional information or documentation, or up to 30 days if you are invited to an interview. This is why you should apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation well in advance of your planned journey. |
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Program Application Deadline Space is limited. |
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Scholarships and Funding Your Program
| Title | Date(s) | More Information |
|---|---|---|
|
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Students MUST apply through the college they are receiving financial aid from (even if taking program classes from MCC). |
Maximum Award: $5,000 October Application Deadline October 10, 2024 Application is now OPEN! March Application Deadline Come learn how to write essays for the Gilman International Scholarship! Wed., September 11, 2024 2-3 pm |
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Maximum Award: $5,000 October Application Deadline October 10, 2024 Application cycle is now OPEN! January Application Deadline TBA |
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