Penn State
Reggio Calabria, Italy: May 8–June 16, 2012
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Reggio Calabria is located on the eastern coast of the Strait of Messina. It is Calabria's most famous city, thanks to its glorious past and present cultural importance. The city was founded around 743 B.C., and throughout history its strategic position on the Ionian Sea has attracted the attention of the most powerful empires. At the crossroads of the Mediterranean Sea, the city was occupied by the Greeks, the Romans, the Normans, the Spaniards, and the French. All of these foreign contacts and influences have contributed enormously to the city's cultural heritage and forever shaped the mentality of its inhabitants.

Summer Abroad at Reggio CalabriaCompletely destroyed by an earthquake in 1908, the city today is a splendid modern and elegant urban area with many educational and cultural opportunities for its inhabitants. The local music conservatory and opera house, Teatro Francesco Cilea, provides an opportunity to study and enjoy music. The local museum houses the Bronzi di Riace, two ancient Greek statues that were discovered by a scuba diver in 1972. These ancient, larger-than-life bronze statues were en route to an unknown destination when the ship that carried them sank off the coast of Riace 2,500 years ago. The Bronzi, restored by local experts, have attracted millions of visitors to the Museo Civico.

The city's mild climate and natural attractions make Reggio a popular destination for tourists all year round. The road along its seafront, Via Marina, was described by Gabriele d’Annunzio, one of Italy's most famous poets, as the most beautiful kilometer in the country. From here, visitors can enjoy the wonderful view of the Strait of Messina; the island of Sicily; and Mount Etna, the most active volcano in Europe.

The Via Marina is the center of the city's social life. At night the area offers a variety of activities — such as concerts, art exhibits, and fashion shows — and many famous restaurants feature local culinary specialties.

Classes will be held at the Universita' degli Studi Mediterranea di Reggio Calabria - Facolta' di Ingegneria. The courses will include field-study excursions to the main cities and cultural centers in Calabria and Sicily. Each student will enroll in one Italian course at the appropriate level, and all the students will enroll in the culture course.


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