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Experience living in one of the world’s most vibrant and exciting cities. From the glories of the ancient world, to the reshaping of medieval urban environments in glorious Romanesque & Italian Gothic, to the splendid Renaissance palaces built for the great Roman families, the wonders of Italy’s history will surround you. The cultural, commercial and culinary richness of this cosmopolitan city will serve as the group’s classroom for more than three weeks, while daytrips to Pompeii, Orvieto, the Vatican and Florence will provide you with complementary experiences and enhance your grasp of Italian culture.

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Preliminary Itinerary

Meet This Program's Leaders

Melissa Urso Department of Foreign Languages Melissa has a Master of Arts Degree in Romance Languages, and has lived in Italy for 13 years. E-mail: murso@coastal.edu "When in Rome…take a walk through history. Walk across the Foro Romano to the Colosseo. Take a stroll along the Tevere and explore the narrow streets and allies of Trastevere. Shop the local markets like Campo de’ Fiori. Taste the authentic cuisine. Visit some of the innumerable museums. Immerse yourself in the Italian culture and all it has to offer. Is there any better way to learn a language and its culture?"

Dr. Eliza Glaze Department of History Dr. Glaze holds a PhD in medieval European history. She is a Fellow of the American Academy in Rome, where she was resident 2007-8; she specializes in late ancient to medieval Italian history, and the history of medicine. E-mail: fglaze@coastal.edu "Studying a city through texts and images is nothing like studying it in situ; the resonance of physical learning makes complementary textual study truly meaningful. It’s like muscle memory: once you study Italian in Rome, you’ll understand everything so much better, and enjoy it so much more."

Frequently Asked Questions:

When is the deadline for application?

Priority Deadline for program application ($50 off the total program cost) and deadline for all scholarship applications is November 6, 2009. Completed applications, along with a $500 deposit, must be in the Office of International Programs by close of business on November 6, 2009 to meet the priority deadline.

Normal Deadline for Program Admission (Regular Program Fee) is November 30, 2009 (No scholarships are available after the priority deadline.) A $500 deposit must be submitted along with the completed application to meet this normal application deadline.

When does this program take place?

We’ll be traveling and in Italy from the morning of June 10 through the late evening of July 3, 2010. There are some essential on-site classes and meetings to be held at Coastal Carolina University before departure from June 7-9, 2010.

What is the cost of this study abroad program?

The cost is $4660, which includes the following: round-trip airfare, accommodations in 4-person apartments in the historic center of Rome, transportation in Italy, including a bus/metro pass for Rome, admissions to museums and other cultural sites, and some meals. IES, the International Exchange Study Center, campus just opposite the Vatican will be our academic base, provides the following: orientation on living in Rome; access to the IES Roma library, computer room, wireless internet, classrooms, and rooftop terrace; 24/7 emergency support; health, medical and security evacuations if necessary; logistical support; instruction that will transfer as credit for ITAL 350 (Italian Study Abroad).

Are there any additional costs to this program?

IES, our in-country academic host and support provider, requires all foreign students to possess a cell phone that works in Italy for security reasons. This phone must be kept charged and on at all times while in Italy (set to “silence mode” while in class, in museums or churches, and other cultural sites). While this sounds expensive, Italy has cheap pay-as-you-go coverage through Vodaphone and other providers that can be purchased for less than $50 in airports and shopping areas. This enables IES and Coastal faculty to reach you immediately in the event of an emergency, and vice versa. You can use the phones to communicate for essential and personal purposes, but they must have enough credit for emergency communications.

Other incidental costs that are not included in the program cost include many of your daily meals, but part of the experience of living in a city with a world-famous cuisine is eating “street food” from pizzerias (which sell by the slice), fornaci/bakeries, pasticerrie/pastry shops, etc. You will also visit as part of your language training markets like the famous Campo de' Fiori, where farmers’ market-type stalls sell every imaginable foodstuff, from exotic Sicilian blood oranges to the Campo's famous flowers). Your apartments come with fully equipped kitchens, so inexpensive group pasta, fruit, and veggie meals are easy to prepare. We estimate you will need about $10-20 a day for groceries and street snacks, depending on your tastes and dietary preferences.

When are payments due for the program?

Deposit $500 due with application 2nd Payment January 15, 2010- 1/3 of remaining balance 3rd Payment February 15, 2010- 1/3 of remaining balance 4th Payment March 15, 2010- 1/3 of remaining balance

How many credit hours can I complete during this program?

This program presents the opportunity to complete up to 9 credit hours, with 6 credits in Italian and 3 credits in History. Courses taught by Coastal Carolina University faculty will be at an additional charge, assessed at $250/credit. This represents a significant tuition discount over regular University tuition. The three courses offered in this program are HIST 450: The City in European History, ITAL 120 Introductory Italian II and ITAL 350 Italian Language Study Abroad (ITAL 350 offered by the host institution, and included in the trip price).

Does this course/program satisfy core curriculum requirements?

ITAL 120 may be used to partially satisfy core curriculum requirements for Foreign Language (Core 5a). HIST 450 currently satisfies core curriculum requirement 5B Global Awareness.

Are scholarships or financial aid available for this program?

Graduates of Horry County high schools are encouraged to apply for the new Horry County Higher Education Commission International Awareness Award ($1,000 - $2,000 per award available). To determine whether you have additional eligibility for financial aid during the Spring or Summer short-term study abroad programs, please see your Financial Aid Counselor in Kingston Hall. To meet the priority deadline and for scholarship consideration, complete this form and return to the OIPS by November 6, 2009. The general deadline for submission of this packet is November 30, 2009.

Are there any prerequisites for this study?

There are no prerequisites for HIST 450 or ITAL 350, but ITAL 120 has a prerequisite of ITAL 110.

Do I need vaccinations to participate?

Coastal Carolina University strongly recommends that program participants are vaccinated for all Center for Disease Control (CDC) vaccinations for each area to which the program is traveling. Please visit the website http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/ for your destination.

What are the physical demands of this program?

Typical of a large metropolitan area, program participants will rely extensively on public transportation as well as walking to get around the city. The streets of Rome can be very narrow so students should be prepared to be on foot for much of the day.

For More Information, Please Contact:
The Office of International Programs & Services
Mr. Geoffrey Parsons, M.Ed.
Director, International Programs & Services
843-349-2054 / parsons@coastal.edu

Ms. Lori Patterson, M.P.S.
Coordinator/Advisor, Study Abroad
843-349-2684 / lori@coastal.edu
Singleton Building 113