UNDERGRADUATE SEMESTER IN ITALY

Study Abroad Experience in Genoa, Italy

An opportunity offered by the Office of Education Abroad (OEA) and FIU Global for sophomore students to spend a semester in Genoa, Italy. Take FIU Core Curriculum courses (in English) with local Italian instructors at the FIU facilities in the medieval convent of S. Maria di Castello. You'll be living in apartments in the historic city within walking distance to the academic facilities, the port, shopping, the major spots for university student night life....

See OEA program for Fall, 2025 information

See/follow FIU Genoa student activities on Instagram!

EXPAND YOUR PERSPECTIVE WITH AN INTERNATIONAL LIFE AND LEARNING EXPERIENCE

• Financially accessible, including fully equipped apartments, 24/7 access to FIU study center, beginning and ending group meals, some field trips and activities with instructors.

• Genoa is a beautiful and complex city on the Mediterranean Sea with small coastal towns to the east and west (the beaches of the Italian Riviera!) and mountains behind (great hikes!).

• Immerse yourself in everyday life in a unique Italian city with a distinct local culture and cuisine; shop for fresh food in small, local shops and covered markets, and you can walk everywhere.

• 15-credit semester to stay on track: 3 UCC courses taught in English by young, qualified Italian instructors for a different perspective, plus 2 online FIU courses (student’s choice).

• Easy train connections to Italian cities (Milan, Turin, Florence and Rome) and nearby towns (like the Cinque Terre and Portofino), as well as low-cost flights to cities in Europe.

Previous Groups - Fall 2023

A few activities of the Fall 2023 undergraduate students in the first four weeks of their stay, orienting themselves to the place and culture, and including some 'out-of-the-classroom' academic activities.

nervi — Students at Genova-Nervi walk along the sea

righi hike — The undergrads hike along the hills above Genoa with FIU PhD Wind Engineering students and Eindhoven University international business students

orsero art tour — With art history professor Margherita Orsero in the church of San Donato

political science conference — Students at the international conference of the Italian Society of Political Science hosted by University of Genoa, at the invitation of our professor Edoardo Corradi who participated in its organization

mercato orientale — Having coffee at the Mercato Orientale (Eastern Market)

Fall 2023 student comments

Student life in Genoa (spring 2023)

LIVE HERE: wander the streets and alleys, visit local towns and beaches, shop in small, local markets for fresh bread, vegetables, meats and fish, eat local cuisine in small trattorie, visit UNESCO-listed Renaissance palaces, hike the hills above Genoa and see the old city walls and forts....

At the former fishing village of Boccadasse, now within the city limits due to Genoa's growth and easily accessible

Food shopping in the 'Mercato Orientale' (Eastern Market) where great fresh, local and seasonal food can be found, plus the place is amazing

Genoese meal of 'trofie al pesto' and 'pansotti con salsa di noci' at trattoria Sa Pesta

In front of Palazzo Giustiniani, one of the 'Palazzi dei Rolli' and now part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site

An afternoon hike in the hills above Genoa with a view of the city and sea beyond.

Portofino, a tiny seaside village now a global tourist attraction

Comments from spring 2023 students

zineb — Zineb: "The experience was unforgettable. The city is a beautiful place to spend the semester, and I really fell in love with Italian culture."

Jade's reflection: Genoa was a life changing experience for me! The Italian professors were especially amazing and Matthew was the perfect guide who showed us around our home for the next few months. It has always been my dream to go to Europe and this was the perfect opportunity. I can’t put into words the feeling that I had in Europe other than I felt like I belonged there. Grabbing a cappuccino on the walk to school and going to my favourite focaccia shop every morning before or after class became a ritual for me. The ability to walk everywhere with such ease was my favourite part. Life in Genoa felt slowed down compared to the fast-paced life of Miami and I absolutely loved that. It teaches you to stop and appreciate the little things in life. Genoa will forever have a special place in my heart, and I am dying to go back and visit.

allison — Allison: "I would go back and do it all again in a heartbeat."

AlIison's reflection: I miss Genoa so much and all of the incredible opportunities that came with studying in Italy. The program allowed me to visit and learn more about the beauty that is Europe than I could have ever imagined and surpassed even my most ambitious dreams for a study abroad trip. Looking back it was truly the most amazing experience that I am so grateful to have been a part of. My time in Europe has only grown my passion for travel and learning about new cultures and I will never forget the memories I made during my semester in Genoa. I am already looking at new study abroad options as after experiencing the world of possibilities that living in Genoa opened, I can’t wait to see where another place could take me.

See comments about life in Genoa from former students in other FIU and UniGe-Erasmus programs

Academics

Take FIU UCC courses related to the social, cultural and historical context you are living in to maximize your experience and develop your international perspective.

Courses

INR 3081 Contemporary International Problems: Examines selected world and regional issues and problems.

EUH 2030 Western Civilization: Europe in the Modern Era: Examines key developments of European Civilizations in the modern period.

ARH 2051 Art History Survey II: A broad survey of the visual arts and architecture from the Renaissance through the Modern Age.

Instructors

The three UCC courses are taught in English by Italians with PhDs, FIU-credentialed and engaged as assistant teaching professors. Beyond their respective area of specialization, they have deep knowledge of the place with contacts in the local context which will increase the quality of the academic and cultural experience.