Program Location
Quick Links
Contact the Program Director
Lindsey Pedersen
Art Department
P: 480-461-7530
Office: AC Office #19
[email protected]
June 1-17, 2026 (in country)
May 19-30, 2026 (pre-departure coursework)
Immerse yourself in art history and intercultural communication in Italy – the heart of the Roman Empire, the cradle of the Renaissance and Baroque, and global center for art, fashion, food, and design! The buildings, piazzas, and museums of Florence, Siena, and Arezzo will be your classroom as you experience the rich art and culture of Italy.
The program is centered in Florence, where participants stay in shared apartments near the historic center, with easy access to the piazzas, markets, and social life of the city. As part of the art-intensive program, you will visit major museums, architectural sites, an historical landmarks, including the Duomo, Uffizi Gallery, Accademia, Boboli Gardens, Pitti Palace, Medici Chapels, and the Museum of San Marco. You will also participate in a beginner's crash course in Italian, an authentic Italian cooking class, and guest lectures by local experts on cultural heritage preservation, natural resources, and sustainable development.
From Florence, you will visit beautiful Siena, home of the famous Palio horse race, and the charming Tuscan city of Arezzo, multicultural heritage dating back to the medieval period. Throughout your time in Italy, you will make memories and cultural connections to last a lifetime.
Italy Program Excursions
- Siena: Day trip
- Duomo complex
- Torre del Mangia Climb
- Palazzo Pubblico
- Contrada Museum
- Arezzo: Day Trip
- City Orientation
- Basilica of San Francesco (Piero della Francesca Frescoes)
- Fortezza Medicea
- Chiesa Santa Maria della Pieve
- Casa Vasari
- Florence: Based Activities
- Galleria dell'Accademia
- Uffizi Gallery
- Santa Croce Basilica
- San Marco Museum
- Duomo Complex (Cathedral, Dome, Bell Tower)
- Patti Palace
- Baboli Gardens
- Bargello Museum
- Cooking Class
Summer Courses You Will Take During Program
- 6 credit program - Registration for courses will begin on March 2, 2026 for current MCC students and on March 23, 2026 for all other students.
- REQUIRED hybrid coursework begins prior to departure: May 19-30, 2026
- ARH 102 : Renaissance through Contemporary Art (3 cr) [H, HU]
- Instructor: Lindsey Pedersen
- COM263 : Elements of Intercultural Communication (3 cr) [C, G, SB]
- Instructor: Dr. Puvana Ganesan
- Mandatory study abroad orientation April 11, 2026 from 9 am - 2 pm at MCC.
Detailed Information
Italy Program Details
Program includes:
- Welcome Meal
- Beginner's Italian Crash Course
- Market Tour
- Hands-on cooking
- Museum visits, cultural site tours, academic lectures, cooking classes
- Florence city buses and trains
- Farewell Dinner
Student Housing
- Co-ed apartments with single-gender rooms (students)
Did You Know??
- Italians refer to one another by their city of origin (Milanese, Roman, Florentine, etc.).
- Italy surrounds two independent nations: San Marino and Vatican City (Holy See).
- In 1986, when McDonald’s opened in Rome, protestors against the fast-food chain stood outside the restaurant and handed out free pasta.
- Currency used is the euro (symbol: €; code: EUR)
- Diversity Abroad Italy Destination Guide
Estimated Program Costs & Deadlines
| Expense Type | Estimated Cost | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Program Fee Includes lodging, academic facilities, cultural excursions, in-country ground transportation, secondary medical insurance. | $3,463 | Program Fee Due: TBA $250 Confirmation Deposit Due (towards total program fee): upon acceptance to program |
Registration Fee Tuition: 6 credits | $ 15 $ 582 |
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| Airfare (estimated cost) | $1,600 | Do NOT purchase your flight until after the program fee deadline. Your program director will provide you with instructions on purchasing airfare for your program once minimum enrollment has been met. It is recommended that you purchase trip cancellation insurance in the event you are unable to attend due to new job opportunities, illness or an emergency. |
| Ground transportation that is not included in program fee | $ 40 | |
| Meals | $ 350 | Not needed until you land in Italy! |
| TOTAL Estimated Costs | $6,050 | (program fee, tuition, airfare, transportation, meals, and ETIAS) |
| ADDITIONAL COSTS | ||
| Textbooks | N/A | No textbooks required. |
Passport Your passport must be valid at least 6 months beyond the date of your return to the USA. | $165/130 (new/renewal) |
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ETIAS travel authorisation Entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals travelling to any of these 30 European countries. Linked to a traveller’s passport, it is valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. If you get a new passport, you need to get a new ETIAS travel authorisation. Cost will be 7 euros which is estimated to be about $8. | $8 | Must have passport first! Most applications are processed within minutes. It is possible however that your application may take longer to process. If so, you will receive a decision within four days. Please note that this period could be extended by up to 14 days if you are requested to provide additional information or documentation, or up to 30 days if you are invited to an interview. This is why you should apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation well in advance of your planned journey. |
Program Application Deadline Space is limited. | January 30, 2026 |
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Scholarships and Funding Your Program
| Title | Date(s) | More Information |
|---|---|---|
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
Students MUST apply through the college they are receiving financial aid from (even if taking program classes from MCC).
| Maximum Award: $5,000 October Application Deadline
March Application Deadline March 6, 2025 Application NOW OPEN!
GILMAN SCHOLARSHIP WORKSHOP Come learn how to write essays for the Gilman International Scholarship! Tuesday, February 4, 2025 1:30 pm
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| Gilman-McCain Scholarship | Maximum Award: $5,000 October Application Deadline
January Application Deadline Thursday, January 9, 2025 Application cycle is now OPEN!
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