Isabella Cannon Global Education Center

Academic Program

The Elon study abroad program in Assisi is designed to help students achieve three basic goals: proficiency in the Italian language, an understanding of the Italian people and their culture, and a deeper awareness of their own culture.  The academic program, hosted by the Accademia Lingua Italiana Assisi (ALIA), includes three weeks of intensive Italian-language instruction and a course on Italian culture and history.  The Institute is located on Via Tiberio in the ancient city center of Assisi.

Assisi is best known as the birthplace of Saints Francis and Clare, though it was a Roman settlement many centuries before these two catapulted the city to international renown.  Much of the medieval city today remains intact, and the stone-paved city center – where the student apartments are also located – is charming with its piazzas, winding streets, and stunning vistas.  As a major pilgrimage destination, modern Assisi is well served by bus and train lines.  Students may travel by train or bus to neighboring towns for just a few euros.  A network of trails lacing the countryside is an additional draw for outdoor enthusiasts.

Courses

Students must enroll in both courses.

ITL 170 IS Language Study (4 credits)

No prior Italian language skills are needed to participate in this program.  Placement tests will determine the level at which each student will study the language.  ALIA runs classes of no more than 12 students to ensure high levels of interaction and communication.  This is a four-semester-hour course which partially fulfills the Liberal Studies requirement in Civilization.

GST 214 IS: Contemporary Italy (4 credits)

The course is designed to introduce students to the history, art, politics, literature, and culture of  contemporary Italy.  Throughout the four-week program, each student will be asked to keep a journal addressing not only the student's activities in Assisi, but especially the intellectual, cultural, and personal growth the experience opens for him or her.  This is a four-semester-hour course which partially fulfills the Liberal Studies requirement in the areas of Society and Civilization.

The courses also satisfy the Experiential Learning Requirement for the General Studies requirement.

Program Dates

Summer 2013 dates: June 10 - July 6

Important: Students should not purchase plane tickets based on these dates. Information on a group flight option will be provided.

Students are required to arrive on/by the first day of the program and be in attendance until the final day. Due to flight schedules, students will  depart the U.S. on June 9.

Cost

Costs for study abroad vary program to program and will not be exactly the same as on-campus costs of attendance at Elon.

For cost information for this program, please see the budget sheets:

• Summer Budget Sheet

Scholarships/Travel Grants

Need-based scholarships are available for Elon summer programs through the GEC.  For additional information on scholarships, see the Funding for Study Abroad webpage.

If you qualify for a travel grant through any of the fellows or scholars programs, see the appropriate program director for more information on how to apply the grant to your study abroad program.  Visit the Deadlines and Events Calendar for travel grant deadlines.

Tentative Itinerary

Typical Weekday Schedule

Morning: Italian coursework (ITL 170 IS)

Afternoon: Contemporary Italy (GST 214 IS)

Students will supplement their time in the classroom with excursions to Assisi's Roman Forum, Basilica di San Francesco, Rocca Maggiore, and sites further afield (including visits to Spoleto and Foligno, accessible in less than half an hour via frequent train service from Assisi, and Siena, where we will watch the famous Palio together).

Group Excursions

No visit to Italy is complete without exposure to Italy's political and cultural capitals, Rome and Florence. Students will use two of the three weekends for group travel, including overnights to Rome and to Florence (transportation, lodging, and admissions included).  There will be a limited number of excursions outside of class time within Assisi as well, including three group dinners (also included in the program cost).

Self-Directed Travel

One of Italy's great cultural resources is in the diversity of its regions.  Students will plan and carry out their own excursion beyond Umbria (Assisi's home region) during a long weekend set aside for the purpose.

Housing

Students will be housed in apartments in the city center.  Each apartment includes a fully-functioning kitchen.

The apartments are all unique, and each houses between two and four students.  The exact mix of apartments will depend upon the mix of male and female students and the total number of students.

Applications

Students must complete the online Elon University Study Abroad Application by the published deadline.  See the Deadline and Events Calendar for the most up-to-date deadline information.  Applications are generally accepted one semester in advance.

Orientations

This course will have mandatory meetings during the spring semester.  Attendance is required.  Dates and times to be announced.

Additional Information and Links

Want more information? Like the Global Education Center on Facebook  to chat with alumni, connect with other prospective students, and receive updates about study abroad.

Study Abroad Student Ambassadors (SASAs) are GEC student representatives who have participated in one or more study abroad programs, and have been trained to speak about their experiences. You can be in touch with current SASAs via email, or contact past study abroad participants who have attended your program. They are looking forward to hearing from you!

Charles Irons
History and Geography
Lindner Hall - Arts & Sciences 112F
2335 Campus Box
336-278-6295
cirons@elon.edu

Isabella Cannon Global Education Center
CB 2375, Carlton 113
Elon, NC 27244
336-278-6700 (phone)
336-278-6692 (fax)
studyabroad@elon.edu