Penn State | Outreach | Summer Abroad | Reggio Calabria, Italy
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Information about the 2010 program will be available by mid-December. If you have questions, please contact us at ConferenceInfo2@outreach.psu.edu.

Faculty-led, world-focused

Penn State faculty-led programs offer students the guidance of trusted faculty, with the freedom to explore the world. Our faculty will create the ideal itinerary for you.

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 BC, 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 these foreign contacts and influences have contributed enormously to the city’s cultural heritage and shaped forever 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, Francesco Cilea, provides an opportunity to study and enjoy music. The local museum houses the Bronzi di Riaci, 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.

Our classes will be held at the Liceo Linguistico, which is located right in the heart of Reggio, near the Via Marina, and provides a beautiful view of Sicily and the Strait of Messina. 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.

Courses Offered

All the students will register for IT 299 (4 credits). Each student must also choose one of the Italian language courses listed below.

ISummer Abroad at Reggio Calabriatalian language courses:
IT 002 Elementary Italian II (4 credits)
Grammar and reading continued; oral and aural phrases progressively increased; composition.

IT 003 Intermediate Italian (4 credits)
Advanced grammar; oral and written composition; reading of modern authors; Italian life and culture.

IT 399 Advanced Italian (3 credits)

Italian culture course:
IT 299 Popular and Religious Traditions of Southern Italy (4 credits)

Eligibility

The program is open to all students with a minimum 2.5 grade-point average. Applicants are considered on a first-come, first-served basis. Students are encouraged to apply early, as enrollment is limited.

Faculty

Jason Laine is the coordinator for the Italian language program at Penn State. He holds undergraduate degrees in Italian and comparative literature from the University of Chicago and a master’s degree in Italian from the University of Wisconsin—Madison. He is an active proponent of a study abroad experience for all University students and has worked with a variety of programs in Italy. In addition to coordinating and teaching language and culture courses in the Italian program, Jason is interested in translation, Italian cinema, and contemporary Italian poetry. He will teach both Italian language and the culture course.

Vincenzo Gatto is an instructor in Italian at Penn State. A native of Italy with extensive international experience, he has studied at universities in Italy (Florence and Siena), Spain (University of Salamanca), and Ecuador (Universidad Católica de Quito), and has directed various programs in Mexico and Italy. He will teach both Italian language and the culture course.

Expenses

The total program fee includes two components: tuition (6 or 7 credits) and a class fee (based on activities and location). All the students will pay the in-state tuition rate for 2009 Summer Abroad programs.

Expenses NOT covered are:

  • passport
  • personal expenses
  • optional excursions
  • round-trip airfare (approximately $1,000 plus tax)
  • meals
  • mandatory insurance (approimately $21)

Estimated Tuition

Out-of-state students will be charged the out-of-state tuition rate until the first day of the program. At that time the students’ bursar account will be adjusted to reflect the in-state tuition rate of $586 per credit.

In-state students will pay tuition according to their standing and the Penn State tuition schedule.

Tuition (6 credits): $3,516 in-state/out-of-state
Tuition (7 credits): $4,102 in-state/out-of-state

The University reserves the right to revise the schedule of tuition and charges without further notice. For more information on tuition, visit http://tuition.psu.edu.

Class Fee

The class fee $2,295 includes housing, all transportation within Italy, museum visits, and administrative costs.

Estimated Total Program Fee

The estimated program fee includes tuition as well as the class fee.

Total program fee (6 credits): $5,811
Total program fee (7 credits): $6,397

Refunds

All cancellations must be received by the conference planner, in writing, by mail or fax. Do not use eLion; it does not remove you from the course, and you will be held responsible for all fees. Full refunds minus the $1,000 application fee will be made for cancellations received at least thirty days prior to the first day of the program. Refund requests made after that time will not be honored, and the participant or sponsoring organization will be responsible for the fees.

Information Technology Fee: 1 to 4.5 credits, $56; 5 to 8.5 credits, $111; 9 or more credits, $167

For passport information, visit http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/index.html.

How to Apply

Financial assistance: The Student Support Initiative for Penn State undergraduates enrolling in our Summer Education Abroad programs will continue for summer 2009. If you would like to be considered for such an award, please indicate this in the required short essay you will submit with your application. Include the reasons why you should receive financial assistance.

Submit your online application through Penn State Education Abroad.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 6, 2009

Cancellation: The University may cancel or postpone any course or activity because of insufficient enrollment or other unforeseen circumstances. If a program is canceled or postponed, the University will refund registration fees but cannot be held responsible for any related costs, charges, or expenses, including cancellation/change charges assessed by airlines or travel agencies.

Access: Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing special accommodations or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact the conference planner at 814-863-5170.

Space may be available after the application deadline. Please contact the conference planner to determine availability and/or to be added to the waiting list.

Contact Us

Regarding program content
Jason Laine
Department of Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese
The Pennsylvania State University
231 Burrowes Building
University Park PA 16802
Phone: 814-863-0029
Fax: 814-863-7944
E-mail: jcl20@psu.edu

Vincenzo Gatto
Department of Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese
The Pennsylvania State University
231 Burrowes Building
University Park PA 16802
Phone: 814-863-4793
Fax: 814-863-7944
E-mail: vxg10@psu.edu

Regarding application process
Judy Meder, Conference Planner
The Pennsylvania State University
225 The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel
University Park PA 16802
Phone: 814-863-5170
Fax: 814-863-5190
E-mail: mailto:SummerAbroad@outreach.psu.edu?subject=Ed%20Abroad%20Italy-Reggio

Regarding financial aid
Office of Student Aid
The Pennsylvania State University
314 Shields Building
University Park PA 16802
Phone: 814-865-6301