All students are encouraged to benefit from the incomparable experience of study abroad. The University of Pennsylvania requires that students participate in a Penn-approved program to receive course credit for such study. Information on study abroad options may be obtained from the Undergraduate Chair in Italian Studies or from Penn Abroad.
During the academic year, undergraduates may spend one or two semesters in Venice, Milan, Bologna, or Rome. Each program integrates electives with courses taught at those cities' venerable universities. Rome is an option for students who elect a major/minor concentration in Italian Culture or a minor in Italian Literature.
Students taking courses abroad may also be awarded credit toward either of the two major concentrations in Italian Studies. A maximum of six courses may be counted towards the major; a maximum of three courses may be counted towards the minor. Any course taken in Italy must be pre-approved by the Undergraduate Chair. Regardless of whether students are participating in a semester long or summer program abroad, students must write directly to the Undergraduate Chair and send the syllabus and all relevant materials before enrolling in a course in order to discuss its appropriateness and whether the credit can be transferred. XCAT application(s) for credit transfer will not be sufficient. Majors are expected to complete ITAL 1000 before beginning their program abroad. When returning to Penn, students should consult with the Undergraduate Chair to determine what courses they should take to round out their curriculum.
Academic-year Programs
Bologna Consortial Studies Program
This program, sponsored by a Consortium of American universities in which Penn participates, is available for a whole academic year or for a semester of study in either fall or spring. It combines small seminars offered by the Consortium with courses taken at the University of Bologna, the oldest university in Europe (founded 1088).
Milan: Università Commerciale Luigi Bocconi — Wharton Exchange
Wharton Students may by permission obtain Italian Studies credit at this business school program. Enrollment is possible for either a fall or spring semester. Study in Milan is also possible as an Economics Exchange Program.
LUISS Guido Carli University of Rome
LUISS Guido Carli is a small private university with high academic ranking located in the heart of Rome. As part of this program, students will be able to count up to 3 classes in the PPE major. Interested students should talk to the PPE department as well.
Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies (ICCS)
Established in 1965 by representatives of American colleges and universities, ICCS provides undergraduate students with the opportunity to study ancient history, archaeology, Greek and Latin literature, and ancient art with the Eternal City of Rome as their classroom.
Venice: Università Ca' Foscari
This program is available either for the fall or the spring semester. Ca' Foscari University of Venice is nationally and internationally recognised for academic excellence in the field of teaching and in research. Founded in 1868 as a Royal Business College, Ca' Foscari was the first institution in Italy to offer higher education in business and economics.
Summer Abroad Programs
Penn Summer Abroad in FLORENCE
Please contact the Program Directors, Prof. Eva Del Soldato or Dr. Rossella Di Rosa, with questions about Summer and Academic Year Study Abroad Destinations and Opportunities that interest you but are not listed here.