History and Eat, Speak, Italian Program in Verona

Explore the history, culture, and cuisine of Verona, Italy with Professors Rala Diakite and Dan Sarefield.
Students in Verona

Students must be vaccinated by university policy, provider policy and international travel entrance requirements.

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May 21 - June 18, 2024

Eat, Speak, Italian

3 credits

  • Old LAS Designations: Global Diversity(GD), Citizen of the World (CTW)
  • New General Education: WLSL World language speaking and listening, DP diverse perspectives, and AIA

HIST 3001 Life in the Roman City

3 credits

  • Old LAS Designations: CTW, GDC, HIST, HI
  • New General Education: HI, IHIP (Study Abroad), and AIA

This program will consist of classroom time during the day followed by city tours in the afternoon. Students will tour Verona in their classes through a historical lens, diving into the history of Roman influence in the region. Students will also be led by their professors to different open air markets, restaurants, and cafes to learn about Italian food, culture, and language. In addition to Verona, this program will also have excursions to Sirmione beach, Venice, and Florence. 

View this presentation to learn more about the program

Estimated Program price* $3,900

Includes airfare, accommodations, insurance, orientations, on the ground transportation, excursions, some meals, and more.
Does not include personal expenses, SGOC undergraduate summer course expenses 

3 credits= $963.00 - One Course
6 credits= $1,926.00 - Both Courses (Eat, Speak, Italian and Life in the Roman City)

Students planning to use financial aid for the summer will need to take both courses for 6 credits. Students should speak to their financial aid and academic advisors to see what works best for them.

See Tuition and Fees for more information on the costs of taking a summer class here at Fitchburg State. Payment due at time of summer registration.

PAYMENTS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.

Payment schedule

First Payment: February 1, 2024 = $1000 (nonrefundable)
Second payment: March 1, 2024 = $1,450
Third payment: April 5, 2024 = $1,450
*Price subject to change. 

Scholarships

Students applying for the Verona Summer Program should apply to the Summer CIC Scholarship that opens in Academic Works starting in November 2023 through January 2024.

Highlights

The highlights of this study abroad experience include a trip to Sirmione and the beach, a day trip to Venice, and two days in Florence. You will have classes in the morning and free time in the afternoon. There will be cultural activities for you to do with your professors. There will also be plenty of free days for you to enjoy Italy as you choose.

Sample Itinerary (subject to change)

Saturday, May 21

Depart Boston at 5:45 p.m. on Aer Lingus flight 132 (layover in Dublin)

Sunday, May 22

Arrive Milan Linate at 10:35 a.m.

Monday, May 23 Health, Safety and Culture Orientation
Tuesday, May 24 Classes begin
Wednesday, May 25                        Classes
Thursday, May 26 Classes
Friday, May 27 Padua - Scrovegni Chapel, followed by Il Bo Palace
Train departure from Verona 9:22am – arrival in Padua 10:20 a.m.
11:45 a.m. Scrovegni Chapel
2:30 p.m. University IL BO
Train departure from Padua 6:40 p.m. – arrival in Verona 7:38 p.m.
Saturday, May 28 Free day
Sunday, May 29 Free day
Monday, May 30 Classes
Tuesday, May 31 Sirmione - Grotto of Catullo and free time at the lake
Bus departure from Verona 9:30 a.m.
11:30am visit to the Grotto of Catullo
Free day at the lake
Bus departure from Sirmione 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, June 1 Classes
Thursday, June 2 Republic Day. No classes or trips.
Friday, June 3 Classes
Saturday, June 4 Free day
Sunday, June 5 Free day
Monday, June 6 Classes
Tuesday, June 7 Overnight trip (Florence) 
Train departure from Verona 9:37 a.m.
Wednesday, June 8 Overnight trip (Florence)
Train departure from Firenze 7:36 p.m.
Thursday, June 9 Classes
Friday, June 10 Cooking class
Departure from San Fermo Church 2:15 p.m. – we walk to la Soffritta
Saturday, June 11 Free day
Sunday, June 12 Free day
Monday, June 13 Classes
Tuesday, June 14 Trip to cheese factory, followed by olive oil factory
Bus departure from Verona 8:30 a.m.
9:30 a.m. visit to the Cheese factory and tasting
2:30 p.m. visit to the olive oil factory and tasting
Departure 5 p.m.
Wednesday, June 15 Classes
Thursday, June 16 Bolzano
Train departure from Verona 9 a.m. – arrival in Bolzano 10:31 a.m.
Train departure from Bolzano 6:31 p.m. – arrival in Verona 8:14 p.m.
Friday, June 17 Classes
Saturday, June 18 Depart Venice at 12:15 p.m. on Aer Lingus flight 423 (layover in Dublin). Depart Dublin at 4:45 p.m. on Aer Lingus flight 137.
Arrive Boston at 6:55 p.m.

The people we encountered are very proud of the food they create - tortellini, gelato, and bread (made from ancient grains and prepared the same way as 5000 years ago). I was glad to be a part of that.

'23 Summer History and Eat, Speak, Student

Questions? Get in Touch!

Contact program advisors Rala Diakite at rdiakite@fitchburgstate.edu or Dan Sarefield at dsarefield@fitchburgstate.edu for more information.