Gabriella Valsecchi
Adjunct Professor for Italian Studies - Languages, Literatures, and Cultures gvalsecc@richmond.edu
View BioItaly
PERUGIA
June 30 – August 1, 2024 (five weeks)
Nestled among the beautiful hills of Umbria, and close to many of the major cultural centers of Italy, Perugia is the perfect city in which to study Italian and enjoy the things for which this country is famous: art, design, history, beauty, nature, gastronomy, and its lively and diverse peoples.
Students combine intensive language study and an immersive cultural experience, including excursions to Florence, Venice, Milan and Rome. Our program is designed to study these topics and then experience them first-hand outside the classroom. Come see all that beautiful Perugia has to offer this summer!
The Perugia summer program offers 2 units of intensive Italian language instruction. The program will incorporate field trips throughout Italy to enhance students’ cultural knowledge and proficiency.
Academics
ITAL 121
2 units
Intensive Elementary Italian
ITAL 221
2 units
Intensive Intermediate Italian
ITAL 311
1 unit
Italian Culture & Society
ITAL 314
1 unit
Women: The Architects of Italy
Students will register for 2 units of credit.
This program will provide a unique opportunity for participants to immerse themselves in the study of Italian language and culture while residing in beautiful medieval Perugia. All classes will be held in the historic Palazzo Gallenga-Stuart, which is the home of the Università per Stranieri in Perugia. The Università is the oldest and most prestigious Italian institution devoted to the teaching, research, and promotion of Italian language and culture across the world. Students electing to take language classes (which will transfer as ITAL 121 or ITAL 221) will be taught by native speakers of Italian from the Università per Stranieri. Professor Valsecchi will teach ITAL 311 and 314. In addition to coursework, learning experiences will also include lectures, tours, weekend excursions, and traditional Italian activities. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in university activities with fellow students from all over world in addition to those activities planned only for the University of Richmond Study Abroad Program.
This program will provide a unique opportunity for participants to immerse themselves in the study of Italian language and culture while residing in beautiful medieval Perugia. All classes will be held in the historic Palazzo Gallenga-Stuart, which is the home of the Università per Stranieri in Perugia. The Università is the oldest and most prestigious Italian institution devoted to the teaching, research, and promotion of Italian language and culture across the world. Students electing to take language classes (which will transfer as ITAL 121 or ITAL 221) will be taught by native speakers of Italian from the Università per Stranieri. Professor Valsecchi will teach ITAL 311 and 314. In addition to coursework, learning experiences will also include lectures, tours, weekend excursions, and traditional Italian activities. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in university activities with fellow students from all over world in addition to those activities planned only for the University of Richmond Study Abroad Program.
Faculty Leader
Cost & Program Information
$5,500
Costs are approximate, do not include airfare, and are subject to change without notice as a result of fluctuations in currency values and other factors.
Scholarship Assistance: UR students are eligible to apply for the Holt Summer Study Abroad Scholarship. Selected recipients will receive approximately $2,000 toward the cost of an approved UR Summer Study Abroad program.
What's included?
- Weekly lessons of Italian culture
- Four cooking classes (including dinner) at the San Lorenzo della Rabatta agriturismo
- Lectures at the Science & Art House Farm in picturesque medieval Solomeo
- Four weekend excursions to Rome, Milan, Venice, and Florence, including hotels, breakfasts and suppers
- Study visits with local weavers, glass workers, and chocolate-makers at the Perugina factory
- Tours of the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi
- Olive Oil tasting at Centumbrie
- On-site Program Director/Assistant support
Housing
Participants will share furnished apartments with cooking facilities, including single rooms with internet access and shared bathrooms. Apartments are within walking distance of the university. Meals, which are not included in the program costs, may be purchased for reasonable prices at the university cafeteria, or in any of the beautiful small Italian cafes and restaurants located around the city. Once a week, students will have the opportunity to share a meal they have prepared during cooking class.
Orientation
Two orientation sessions will be held in March and April during the Spring Semester - one general orientation for all summer programs and one specific to this program.
Ready to apply?
Application Deadline
February 15
Apply online through Gateway Abroad, our study abroad application portal.