About The Program
Nestled between Venice and Florence, Bologna holds the distinct status of Italy's food capital. Bologna is a true university town with classrooms throughout the beautiful historic center. The University of Bologna, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna (the mother of all universities), attracts students of all majors from all over the continent. Independent learners love the internship options, study projects with Italian faculty, and unique style of delivering oral exams. To develop your Italian speaking skills, the program starts with a language program. During this time, you'll take a day trip to Ravenna, visit Dante's tomb, and experience Romagnolo cuisine.
Where you'll study
One of the oldest universities in the Western world, the University of Bologna (Unibo) counts Dante as one of its former students. This university is embedded into the fabric of the northern Italian host city of the same name. Founded nearly a thousand years ago, it holds a rich history and architectural heritage. Now a large institution spread across the city, Unibo classrooms are located throughout the city in Medieval and Renaissance palazzi as well as in newly constructed modern buildings connecting the past and present. Unibo offers many opportunities to get involved in events, make friends, and join clubs.
TRIPS AND ACTIVITIES
The study center arranges field trips and activities to introduce the local culture and special features of your host country. There may be other optional excursions, which you can explore after arrival.
Tortellini and tagliatelle pasta-making class and dinner
Day in Ravenna for mosaics sites, Dante's tomb, and traditional lunch
Rooftop sunset with traditional Bolognese refreshments in the fall
Guided tour of Count Mattei's eccentric castle in the spring
Hiking tour to San Luca followed by gelato at Cremeria Funivia
From The Californian Abroad
3-minute travel guide: Rome, Italy
3-minute travel guide: Bologna, Italy
15 signs you studied abroad in Italy
Best study abroad programs for STEM majors
10 Cafés abroad that are literary famous
My time abroad brought an incredible amount of cultural exposure which would have been impossible to recreate at my home university. Living in Italy meant speaking with locals on a daily basis, delicious Italian cuisine, and diving head first into Italian culture: fashion, body language, and expressions unique to Bologna like, “Dammi il tiro,” which is a way to ask to be buzzed into the building. These experiences simply cannot be prepared for or replicated in a classroom.
The lessons I learned on study abroad will stay with me for the rest of my life. Not only are they important to everyday life, but the skills I learned are priceless to my future career.