Athena Study Abroad in Tuscania, Italy

  Italy

Tuscania

Term: Academic Year, Fall, Spring, Summer 
Dates: Fall and Spring Semesters, Summer, Academic Year

Description: Athena Study Abroad was designed to meet the needs of any student who wishes to attend a small university overseas, in order to gain the most culturally rich and authentic immersion possible. These programs are especially attractive to small-school students, because the search for these students to find study abroad programs which cater to their unique wants and needs is often difficult.

Athena programs are different in that students are enrolled at small schools overseas in an effort to maintain the personalized service throughout the semester that Athena prides itself on providing. Unlike many other study abroad programs, Athena offers its students programs that are focused on intense, cultural immersion which puts them in touch with the locals of their host country, elements of the host culture, and other international students from around the world to ensure a well-rounded, diverse experience.

Athena's Tuscania campus of the Lorenzo de' Medici School (LDM) is a private institution located in the old town center of this charming medieval city. Classes are held in an ancient building which underwent a full internal restoration in 2005, aimed at combining the elegance and history of old Italy with the updated design and technological elements of modern day.

LDM is equipped with modern computer and language labs, comfortable classrooms, knowledgeable faculty, diverse course offerings (from language or theater, to archaeology or history). One of the primary missions of the Lorenzo de' Medici School, which has been operating its main campus in Florence for more than 30 years, is to promote global education through authentic cultural immersion programs and a diverse international student population.

Highlights: Athena developed its Students Offering Support (S.O.S.) Program to provide study abroad students with a way to show their appreciation to their host culture by way of a monetary donation. While we at Athena know how great it feels to give back to our students through discounts and promotions, we have designed the S.O.S. program in an effort to assist our students in passing on this goodwill to the world.

Athena donates a percentage of our proceeds each year to a featured charity (which changes annually). This year, we have chosen Ashoka as the S.O.S. international charity recipient of the year.

The walled Etruscan city of Tuscania is a charming, medieval town nestled in the Italian hillside outside of Rome. A rich collection of Italian, Etruscan and church history, Tuscania in many ways seems untouched by time.

Because of the city's smaller size, students are able to gain an authentic Italian cultural experience in this preserved city. Tuscania's close proximity to many of the country's other famous cities (Rome, Siena, Florence) conveniently positions students within reach of several of Italy's other wonders.

Minimum Education: High School

Cost in US$: $11,500 (Spring & Fall), $4,995 (Summer)

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to American Participants.

Participants Travel to Italy in Groups

Scholarships are Available. -  * Marie McKay Global Citizen Scholarship Award: $1,000 The McKay Global Citizen Scholarship is designed for the Athena student who can best demonstrate an interest in and intention to promote the concept of social justice at a city, state, national, and/or global level. * Vincent I. Benander Learning Scholarship Award: $1,000 The Benander Academic Scholarship is designed for the Athena student who can best demonstrate a true "love of learning" in his/her major area of study, and superior academic abilities. * Athena Penny Scholarship Award: $250 The Penny Scholarships are available to students studying abroad at specific Athena campuses overseas. For the 2007-2008 academic year, students studying at the Tuscania, Italy and/or the London, England campuses are eligible to apply for the Penny Scholarships.

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Other
• Transcript
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit DebriefingAbroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Athena Study Abroad's Mission Statement: Athena Study Abroad was developed in an effort to bring study abroad back to what it was intended to be - true, cultural immersion programs designed by knowledgeable, caring professionals. Athena programs are different in that students are enrolled at small schools overseas in an effort to maintain the personalized service throughout the semester that Athena prides itself on providing. Unlike many other study abroad programs, Athena offers its students programs that are focused on intense, cultural immersion which puts them in touch with the locals of their host country, elements of the host culture, and other international students from around the world to ensure a well-rounded, diverse experience. In addition, a percentage of Athena's proceeds are donated to a chosen world charity through our S.O.S. Program (Students Offering Support), which allows students to give back to the world that welcomed them during their semester abroad.