High School Abroad - Immersion in Italy
Become fluent in Italian in the birthplace of the Renaissance.
The birthplace of the Renaissance is known for its beautiful language, exquisite architecture, and world-famous art and cuisine. Spend your free time discovering museums and cathedrals, attending local festivals, and eating to your heart’s content. Immerse yourself in Italian culture by participating in class and connecting with new friends at your local school. During the first two weeks of the program, you'll attend a dedicated Italian language immersion program to make great leaps in your language proficiency. Then, you will continue to participate in a bi-weekly language program to continue to develop your skills coupled with classes at a local high school.
Why Choose This Program?
Language Proficiency
Our program provides students with 150 language contact hours in just a few weeks.
Global Citizenship
After immersing yourself in unfamiliar practices and customs, you’ll become better equipped to interact with people from other cultures — in school, on the job, or in your personal life
College Readiness
Studying abroad gives you the kinds of life skills that can’t be learned in a classroom — and shows college admissions reps that you’re already one step ahead in terms of initiative, maturity, and independence.
93%
said their experience made them more aware of global issues.
79%
said their experience with CIEE helped shape their college applications.
96%
said they regularly use the knowledge and skills they acquired while abroad with CIEE.
The Destination
Discover a world of unparalleled art, architecture, history, and cuisine in spectacular Italy.
With a CIEE Immersion in Italy program, you’ll explore more than 3,000 years of rich history, both in class at the local high school and through your own personal explorations. Meet up with friends after a day of classes to share real pizza margherita and gelato. Explore the Italian countryside during a school field trip. Practice your Italian while cheering on the local fútbol team during an exciting match.
Advance your Italian proficiency each day — through chats with teachers and classmates, and dinnertime conversations with your homestay — and gain important international experience that can help get you into your first-choice college. If you’re ready, Italy awaits.
CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. No matter where you choose to study abroad with CIEE, our staff will be on hand throughout your program to provide advice, resources, and support.
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Sample Itinerary
Top Rated Activities
Join your peers on group excursions to legendary landmarks in a range of popular Italian cities.
Turin
Discover the first capital of Italy during an overnight trip to Turin. Let the baroque and royal palaces mesmerize you and learn about Fellini and the magic of the film productions at the Cinema Museum. Finally, visit the Car Museum to marvel at the evolution of FIAT automotive design. Top it off by enjoying authentic Agnolotti pasta!
Lucca and Pisa
Discover two absolute gems of the region: Lucca and Pisa. You will start the morning with a scenic bike tour along Lucca's historic city walls, offering breathtaking views and a glimpse into the city's rich past. In the afternoon, head to Pisa to visit the iconic Leaning Tower and the stunning Baptistery, experiencing the mesmerizing Gregorian chants that fill the air.
Please note this list of activities is based on past programs and subject to change at CIEE's discretion to both adapt to local circumstances and participant feedback.
How Studying Abroad in High School Has Helped Me Connect With My Italian Heritage
Read about one alum's experience of connecting with her Italian roots while studying abroad in high school.
How Spending a Semester of High School Abroad Prepares You for College Admission
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Eligibility
- Be between the ages of 15 and 17 when the program starts and cannot turn 18 while on program.
- Be in the 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th year of schooling.
- Have a minimum GPA of 2.5.
- Demonstrate, through the application process, their flexibility, maturity, adaptability, and readiness to face the challenges of living in a new culture.
- Students are not required to have taken Italian language classes prior to participating in this program. However, it's highly recommended that students have previous language experience as all classes will be taught in Italian.
High school abroad participants are NOT authorized to volunteer, take jobs, or seek employment during their stay.
For more information, refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.
Dates & Fees
Application Fee
$50
Priority deadline discount: Apply to a fall semester or academic year by February 15 and get a $400 discount. Apply to a spring semester by July 15 and get a $400 discount. Discounts are deducted from final balance.
Additional information about insurance can be found on the FAQ page.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Fall 2025 16 weeks | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date | End Date | Costs $17,000 |
| Program Fall Trimester 2025 12 weeks | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date | End Date | Costs $14,750 |
| Program Spring 2026 19 weeks | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date | End Date | Costs $17,000 |
| Program Spring Trimester 2026 12 weeks | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date | End Date | Costs $14,750 |
| Program Academic Year 2025 40 weeks | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date | End Date | Costs $28,000 |
| Program Academic Year 2026 40 weeks | Start Date * | End Date * | ||
| Program Fall 2026 16 weeks | Start Date * | End Date * | ||
| Program Fall Trimester 2026 12 weeks | Start Date * | End Date * | ||
| Program Spring 2027 19 weeks | Start Date * | End Date * | ||
| Program Spring Trimester 2027 12 weeks | Start Date * | End Date * |
*Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.
Ready to change your life?
Our Staff
Tina Marisa Rocchio
Center Director
Tina grew up between the mountains of Vermont and the coastline of Rhode Island and has spent her adult life between Tuscany and Rome. Mastering Italian in high school, she...