Italian majors and minors can participate in a semester or short-term program abroad to earn credits towards their degree. Students will have the opportunity to study both the Italian language and culture in an environment where experiential learning enhances progress towards proficiency.

As an Italian major or minor, you can:

• Participate in an internship, service learning and hands-on experiences while earning credit.
• Explore Italian culture through coursework and participation in extracurriculars.
• Challenge your language knowledge through in-class study as well as immersion activities.
• Select a program that allows you to study other subjects, staying on track for graduation requirements, while earning credit for your Italian concentration.

How will #UConnChangeYourWorld

These programs are recommended based on your academic interests but students can explore additional approved program options via the Program Search.

Fee-Based Programs: Fee-Based Programs charge Program Fees, not UConn tuition. Program Fees will appear on students’ UConn fee bills, along with other UConn fees as listed on the program’s budget sheet. 

AIFS Abroad in Rome, Italy: January
Rome, Italy
The AIFS Study Abroad program in Rome offers students an incredible opportunity to live and study in the heart of Italy’s capital, just steps away from iconic landmarks like the Trevi Fountain and the Colosseum. The AIFS Global Education Center provides a supportive environment with a Resident Director and Student Advisors to help students adjust to life in Rome. Students also have access to free Wi-Fi, computers for printing, and the chance to earn academic credit through Fairfield University. This program combines the richness of Roman history with a modern academic experience.

Summer Mediterranean Diet and Tuscan Cuisine in Florence
Florence, Italy
The Summer Mediterranean Diet and Tuscan Cuisine program in Florence offers students a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in Italy’s rich food culture. As they shop at local markets and dine in authentic Italian restaurants, students will engage all their senses—seeing, smelling, and tasting the distinct flavors that set Italian cuisine apart from the United States. This hands-on experience provides an unparalleled chance to understand the true essence of Italian food, offering insights that go beyond what can be learned in a classroom.

Summer Psychology in Florence
Florence, Italy
The Summer Psychology in Florence “Maymester” program offers students the opportunity to study in the heart of Italy’s Renaissance city, Florence. This course explores multiculturalism, both historically and in the present day, with a focus on the dynamics of individualism and collectivism. Florence, a city shaped by diverse cultures and the exchange of ideas, provides the perfect backdrop for this exploration. Students will have weekends free for independent travel, with the option to extend their stay in Italy for further exploration after the course ends.

Studio Arts in Florence
Florence, Italy
The Studio Arts in Florence program offers students in art, design, and art history a unique opportunity to study in one of the most historically rich centers of western art, science, and culture. Located in Florence, Italy, students will immerse themselves in a curriculum that includes two studio courses (drawing and photography), an art history course, and the Florence Experience course, which introduces the culture and language of Italy. These courses are directly transferable for UConn credit and fulfill requirements for various art and design degrees. The program also includes site visits to iconic locations in Florence and surrounding areas, making the city itself an integral part of the learning experience.

Tuition-Based Program: Tuition-Based Programs charge in-state, New England Regional, and out-of-state UConn tuition rates based on students’ residency. Tuition charges will appear on students’ UConn fee bills, along with other UConn fees as listed on the program’s budget sheet. Students may pay housing through their UConn fee bill or directly to their host university depending on the program.

ISI Florence
Florence, Italy
The ISI Florence program offers students a semester-long opportunity to study in the heart of Florence, a city renowned for its rich artistic and cultural heritage. Located in the historic Palazzo Rucellai, designed by famed Renaissance architect Leon Battista Alberti, the program immerses students in an environment once walked by visionaries like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. With a welcoming and supportive staff, students have access to a library, computer center, and student lounge. This program provides an unparalleled chance to experience Florence’s history, art, and vibrant academic community firsthand.

Umbra Institute in Perugia – General Studies Program
Perugia, Italy
The Umbra Institute in Perugia offers students a unique study abroad experience through its general studies program, set in a vibrant university town rich in history, art, and culture. As the sister institute to ISI Florence, Umbra provides a diverse selection of courses with integrated field trips, community engagement opportunities, and extracurricular activities. Nestled in the scenic hills of Umbria and Tuscany, Perugia offers an authentic Italian experience with easy access to cities like Rome, Florence, and Assisi. With a strong focus on cultural immersion, students can engage in internships, service learning, and volunteer projects, fostering meaningful connections with the local community while gaining a deeper understanding of Italian life.

Umbra Institute in Perugia – Multicultural Psychology Program
Perugia, Italy
The Umbra Institute in Perugia offers a dynamic multicultural psychology program, where students explore how culture shapes our understanding of ourselves and others. Through classroom learning and hands-on experiential opportunities, students gain cross-cultural insights valuable for careers in counseling, education, research, and social work. Located in a historic university town rich in art and culture, Umbra provides field trips, community engagement, and volunteer opportunities. With easy access to cities like Rome and Florence, students experience authentic Italian life while building meaningful connections within the local community.

Umbra Institute in Perugia – Food, Sustainability, and Environmental Studies (FSE)
Perugia, Italy
The Umbra Institute in Perugia offers the Food, Sustainability, and Environmental Studies Program (FSE), an interdisciplinary program that examines the relationships between food systems, the environment, and sustainability. Students choose from three tracks—Food Studies, Environmental Studies & Sustainability, or a Dual Track—while also taking an Italian language course. The program integrates hands-on learning through co-curricular field trips and offers credit-bearing internships. Located in a historic university town, Umbra provides an immersive Italian experience with opportunities for community engagement, making it an ideal destination for students interested in food, sustainability, and environmental issues.

Umbra Institute in Perugia – Italian Language and Culture Program
Perugia, Italy
The Umbra Institute in Perugia offers the Italian Language and Culture Program in partnership with the Università per Stranieri di Perugia, providing an immersive experience for students of all proficiency levels, from beginner to advanced. Participants study alongside international students with the goal of achieving fluency in Italian through intensive coursework and cultural immersion. The program, taught entirely in Italian, includes approximately 27 hours of weekly instruction at the Università per Stranieri, supplemented by recitation classes with Umbra instructors who provide guidance and assessment. This internationally recognized program is an ideal way for students to deepen their understanding of Italian language and culture while experiencing daily life in Italy.

Umbra Institute in Perugia – Scholars Independent Research Program
Perugia, Italy
The Umbra Institute in Perugia offers the Scholars Independent Research Program for students seeking to conduct original research while engaging deeply with their academic interests. Working one-on-one with a faculty advisor, students develop a research project in disciplines such as Food & Sustainability Studies, Multicultural Psychology, Italian Language and Culture, or an individualized topic of their choice. The program includes a 4-credit Independent Research Project course and a 2-credit Research Writing and Methodology course. Through rigorous academic work, community engagement, and faculty mentorship, students produce a traditional research paper or creative project, gaining valuable experience in independent inquiry and scholarly writing.

Direct-Bill Programs: Direct-Bill Programs charge students directly for their program costs. Students pay the affiliate program directly for their fees, whereas other UConn fees will appear on students’ UConn fee bills as listed on the program’s budget sheet. Be sure to review the program’s full costs on the provider’s own website. UConn is not responsible for those costs.

CIMBA Italy Study Abroad Program
Paderno de Grappa, Italy
The CIMBA Study Abroad Program offers undergraduate students the opportunity to study in Italy for a semester or summer, with courses in business, economics, leadership, communication studies, Italian, and engineering. Students earn American credit from the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business (AACSB) for completed courses, with semester participants taking 12-18 credits and summer students earning 6 credits. The program is held in the charming town of Paderno del Grappa, located near the Dolomite Mountains and just 50 miles from Venice. CIMBA provides an all-inclusive tuition package covering tuition, room & board, meals, textbooks, housekeeping, laundry, cultural excursions, and more. Financial awards are available for eligible students. This immersive program offers valuable international experience and business leadership development in a unique Italian setting.

Finances are an integral part of the program selection and planning process. Research scholarships early to meet application deadlines and request feedback on essays from advisors and the Writing Center.

Featured Scholarships:

CIMBA

ISI

National Italian American Foundation 

Umbra Institute

To learn more and discover other financial opportunities to fund your Experiential Global Learning opportunity, visit our scholarships page.