Saint Francis University

The Springtime in Italy program provides students with unique experiences that will stay with them for a lifetime.  During the program, students live in residence halls in Parma, Italy where they take classes from SFU professors.  Because tourism is not a large industry in Parma, students are able to experience true Italian culture and cuisine.  The cost of a bicycle is included in the program cost, so each student can explore the city easily by pedaling around town just like locals.  Students are able to find their own favorite restaurants and gelaterias, so by the end of four weeks Parma truly feels like home. 

Students can take up to 7 credits while studying in Parma. Classes include Art History II, Italian I & II, Studies in Drama: Opera, Guitar with Rob James (guitarist from The Clarks), Hand Drumming with Jim Donovan (drummer from Rusted Root), and several others. On the weekends, students are free to travel on their own with their 6 day TrenItalia Pass, allowing them to plan their excursions based on their own interests. This ensures that each student will have a unique experience while studying in Parma.

Classes are held Monday through Thursday in one of the two residence halls where students are housed.  Students can enroll for 1-7 credits.  Classes are taught by SFU professors and are listed below.

Students are housed in 2 residence halls in Parma: Sant'Ilario and Liberty.  Each room accommodates two students and is equipped with a bathroom, refrigerator, and a kitchen sink.  In addition, rooms in the residence hall Liberty are equipped with a kitchen.  The residence hall Sant’Ilario is equipped with a classroom.  The front doors of the residence halls are locked at all times and must be accessed by a room key.

Excursions

Each student is given a TrenItalia Pass which is good for 6 days travel by train to anywhere in Italy.  With this pass, students are free to plan their own excursions and to have a completely unique Italian experience every weekend. Due to the flexible nature of the TrenItalia Passes, students can taylor their experience in Italy to their interests and travel desires. Popular sites for weekend travel include Rome, Venice, Florence, and Cinque Terre.

Visits to sites within Parma such as the National Gallery and the Castello di Torrechiara may be included depending on which classes the student chooses to take. 

Departure:  May 16, 2008
Return:  June 15, 2008.
Application and application fee ($75) are due by Jan. 21, 2008.
Preliminary payment ($1,0000 due Mar. 5, 2008.
Final payment (balance) due May 6, 2008.

Cost:  $5,300 (Sant'Ilario Residence Hall)
          $5,800 (Liberty Residence Hall)

Cost includes:

• Round-trip transportation to and from Parma, Italy.  If the student desires, buses depart from Loretto for Dullus Airport in Washington DC on the day of departure and will drop students off in Loretto on the day of return. 
• tuition (7 credits maximum)
• Housing
• TrenItalia 6 Day Pass
• Bicycle rental
• Textbooks
• Course materials
• Health Insurance
• Optional cooking lessons

Not included: meals, admission to attractions/events, incidental supplies, gifts, transportation other than specified above, additional fees for change in airline tickets.

Reimbursement, in case of cancellation by student is full reimbursement, until 60 days before departure; full reimbursement minus cost of airline ticket within 60 days of departure.

Click here for the Spring 2008 Program Application.

Mr. Charles Olson
Office:  Fine Arts Center 2012
E-mail:  colson@francis.edu
Ext:  x3215

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