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study abroad in italy for U.S. high school students
The history of Italy spans more than 3000 years of peoples, cultures, styles and foods. If you had been traveling in Italy a couple of thousand years ago, you might have met tribes of Latins, Veneti, Ligurians and Umbrii living in city-states, republics and duchies. The creation of a single Italian nation is a recent phenomenon (1861) and even today, people are more likely to identify themselves as Florentines or Romans than as Italians. It is only in the last few decades that Italian has been the language for the majority of the country, and many regional dialects are still used on a daily basis.
Italy's balmy Mediterranean weather qualifies it as Europe's Garden of Eden and food remains the heart of Italian culture. Pasta and gelato are synonymous throughout the world with pleasurable taste. Italians call their country il bel paese, (the beautiful country) and with its mountainous landscape and spectacular coastline, it is indeed a captivating place to behold. Italy is home to some of the most magnificent sights in the world from the ruins of Pompeii to the Amalfi coast, the charming Lake Como, and the roads that lead to Rome.
Italian style and design are world renown in everything from modern fashion to furniture to fast cars. Italians are passionate about the sports such as soccer, car racing (they gave the world Lamborghinis and Maserattis) and cycling. Calcio (soccer) is considered "the beautiful science", and it is a national pastime. The Giro d'Italia bike race has attained international recognition and prestige.
Today Italy is a member of the European Union and a thoroughly modern country, but the core of its daily life remains unchanged. A humorous cliché says that while you may see everyone on the street talking on cell phones, they are simply calling home to say they are on their way so that the pasta is ready when they arrive.
what will your story be in italy?
Come study among Italy's colorful flowers, bountiful fruits and vegetables, and experience that eating well is an art practiced daily. Enroll in an Italian high school, participate in local activities, and observe your language study progress quicker than you might think.
program highlights include
- Placement of student in a Italian high school
- Careful selection, interview and screening of an appropriate Italian family
- Room and board with selected host family
- Supervision and support throughout the year by a Local Coordinator
- Periodic progress reports
- Transportation to and from a local airport
- Orientation before leaving the U.S.
- Orientation upon arrival in Italy
- International airfare between U.S. departure city and Italy
- International medical insurance and 24-hour worldwide assistance provided through the iNext travel card
program does not include
- Round-trip domestic travel to U.S. departure city
- Monthly spending allowance
- Textbooks and supplies
- Personal phone charges or other personal items
- Transportation to and from school
- School lunches and meals outside the home
- Passport and Visa fees
- School Lunches
- School uniforms, if applicable
