Program Description

Total cultural immersion in the heart of Italy is the cornerstone of the Todi program. Since 1986, families in Todi have been welcoming Penn State students into their homes during the seven-week program. The experience provides students with a chance to become part of the fabric of the family and of the town. Since few residents speak English, students also have the opportunity for continuous language development.

Todi is a picturesque Umbrian town with a history dating back to Etruscan times. The town of 6,000 residents is built on a hill and sits around an intact medieval piazza and includes outstanding examples of Gothic and Renaissance architecture.

The program is designed to combine classroom studies with travel. Beginning with six days in Rome and its environs, faculty and local experts will guide students through famous Italian cultural treasures in churches, museums, and archaeological sites. Following the week in Rome, students are based in Todi for six weeks. From there, day trips are planned to cities within the region of Umbria, including Perugia, Orvieto, and Assisi. Extended trips to Florence and Venice are also included on the itinerary. While site visits are considered extensions of the classroom experience, they are structured to allow for independent exploration.

The program offers either 9 or 10 academic credits in Italian language and the arts. All students are required to take the same set of courses, which are offered at both beginning and advanced levels. The curriculum consists of courses in Italian language, art history, and visual arts. There are no academic prerequisites for the beginning-level courses.

Courses Offered

Participants are required to take 9 or 10 credits. Equivalent competency may substitute for specific course prerequisites. Students electing to take the 10th credit will be charged additional tuition.

LANGUAGE (select one course)

IT 099 Essential Italian (3 credits; no prerequisite) An introduction to Italian, with an emphasis on conversation and basic grammar. The course is designed for students who do not intend to continue with Italian, since it is not the equivalent of IT 001.

IT 003 Intermediate Italian (4 credits; prerequisite: IT 002)

IT 399 Independent Study (3 credits; prerequisite: IT 003)
Grammar review, special advanced-level written and oral assignments. Students are approved on a case-by-case basis, according to their level of Italian.

ART HISTORY (select one course)

ART H 299 Foreign Study: Survey of Italian Art and Architecture (3 credits)
Classroom and on-site studies focusing on medieval and Renaissance Italy. Class discussions and visits to museums, galleries, and exhibitions will include study of Etruscan, Roman, baroque, and modern art and architecture.

ART H 499 Foreign Study: Individual Research Project (3 credits)
Students taking this course will write a research paper upon their return to the United States. They will receive a deferred grade.

VISUAL ARTS (select one course)

ART 020 Introduction to Drawing (3 credits; no prerequisite) This course is designed for students who are not art majors. Classes meet outdoors and use the local environment for the development of drawing skills. Nonmajors are graded on the basis of individual progress.

ART 299/499 Foreign Study-Art: Drawing (3 credits) An intermediate- or advanced-level course for art majors. Classes at both levels meet outdoors and use the local environment for the development of drawing skills.

Eligibility

The program is open to all undergraduate students with a minimum 2.5 grade-point average and to graduate students. Applicants are interviewed on a continuous basis, but final enrollment decisions will not be made until shortly after the March 3, 2008, application deadline. Students are encouraged to apply early, as enrollment is limited.

Faculty

Dr. Kristi Wormhoudt, affiliate assistant professor of art history, College of Arts and Architecture, and academic coordinator, Education Abroad, specializes in Italian Renaissance art. She will teach the art history courses.

Francis Pierucci has recently retired from teaching Italian and Spanish at Penn State Hazleton. His teaching is informed by his Italian heritage, and he has co-directed the Todi program with Dr. Wormhoudt in previous years. He will teach advanced Italian.

Ann Tarantino is an Instructor in Penn State's School of Visual Arts. She holds undergraduate degrees in visual arts and American civilization from Brown University, and a master of fine arts in painting from Penn State. Her paintings and drawings have been exhibited extensively in the United States and in Japan, and her professional experience includes working as a catalog editor and administrator for New York City arts institutions. She teaches drawing and two-dimensional design at Penn State.

Expenses

The total program fee includes two components: tuition (based on the number of credits) and a class fee (based on activities and location). All students must take 9 credits. Also, all students will pay in-state tuition for the 2008 Summer Abroad programs.

Tuition

Tuition (9 credits) $4,977 in-state/out-of-state
Tuition (10 credits) $5,530 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 of $2,700 includes housing, meals in Todi, all transportation within Italy, museum visits, and administrative costs.

Total Program Fee

Total Program Fee (9 credits) The program fee of $7,677 includes tuition as well as the class fee.
Total Program Fee (10 credits) The program fee of $8,230 includes tuition as well as the class fee.

Financial Aid

For alternative grant, loan, and minority and Whole World scholarship information, visit the Education Abroad Financial Aid and Scholarship page.

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 class, 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.

Expenses NOT covered are:

optional excursions and activities
passport
personal expenses
round-trip airfare (approximately $1,000 plus tax)
some meals outside Todi
textbooks and supplies

Information Technology Fee: 1 to 4.5 credits, $53; 5 to 8.5 credits, $106; 9 or more credits, $159

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

How to Apply

The Student Support Initiative for Penn State undergraduates enrolling in our Summer Education Abroad programs will continue for summer 2008. If you would like to be considered for such an award, please indicate this in your short essay, giving the reasons why you should receive financial assistance.*

All applicants must send in the application form. To register, complete the Adobe.pdf printable registration form or the Word.doc printable registration form and return it with:

the $1,000 application fee (nonrefundable unless applicant is not selected) to be applied toward the class fee
*a short essay (course background, previous travel, etc.)
a current, unofficial transcript
a sealed letter of recommendation form from your adviser or a faculty member with whom you have studied

All applicants will be screened by the Office of Judicial Affairs.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Extended to March 20, 2008

Return all items together to:

Summer Education Abroad Programs
The Pennsylvania State University
225 The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel
University Park PA 16802

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 other 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:
Dr. Kristi Wormhoudt
The Pennsylvania State University
410 Boucke Building
University Park PA 16802
Phone: 814-863-3960
Fax: 814-863-7138
E-mail: kaw7@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: SummerAbroad@outreach.psu.edu

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

For alternative grant, loan, and minority and Whole World scholarship information, visit the Education Abroad Financial Aid and Scholarship page.