UNDERGRADUATE SEMESTER IN ITALY

Study Abroad Experience in Genoa, Italy - Spring 2024 semester

boccadasse
The current undergraduate students of the Fall 2023 program in Genoa, here in Boccadasse (within Genoa city limits)

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 Spring 2024 information

See/follow FIU Genoa student activities on Instagram!

BROADEN YOUR HORIZONS, 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.

 

Fall 2023 student comments after 5 weeks in Genoa.... (more to come!)

fall 2023 student
Alini: Genoa is a lively and charming port city with friendly locals. A total immersion into Italian culture and language, and a flexible itinerary allow you to fully understand European life and grow as an individual. The courses are taught by young Italian professors who care about your education and experience while in Genoa. I would recommend this program to anyone who loves to travel, learn about different cultures, and wants to have an unforgettable (and affordable) experience!
fall 2023 student
Liem: I’ve loved this program far more than I can express; I’ve learned so much about myself through Genoa’s unique immersion into an authentic Italian environment. Everything from the professors, the food, the traveling, the scenery, etc., has been so amazing and has helped me grow into myself in a way I couldn’t have without this program.
fall2023 student
Gin: The quality of education I am receiving from local professors is astounding. I have never been so engaged during lessons or had professors who are so dedicated to their students' learning. I continue to find myself growing in ways I never imagined. Before Genoa I hated going to the grocery store alone. Now thanks to the low prices of the delicious produce and mind-blowing spices, I go the local market by myself all the time. Even the language barrier does not deter me and I actually find myself speaking better Italian every time.

Student life in Genoa (spring 2023)

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
Jade: "To tell you how much I loved this study abroad, I cried on my last day of class."

 

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.

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 IIA 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.


Margherita Orsero, PhD - Assistant Teaching Professor for Art History Survey II - ARH 2051


Leonardo Scavino, PhD - Assistant Teaching Professor for Western Civilization in the Modern Era - EUH 2030

corradi

 

Edoardo Corradi, PhD - Assistant Teaching Professor for Contemporary International Problems - INR 3081

Academic Field Activities in and out of Genoa


Genoa's Galata Museum of the Sea with Leonardo Scavino


A Visit to Milan and the Pinacoteca di Brera with Margherita Orsero

Genoa and Liguria

Links for more on Genoa and Liguria

Student Life Information

Genoa

Liguria

More Videos

Scenes of daily life in Genoa
Public life at the waterfront (porto antico)
Quick stills of people, places and urban objects
Camogli, beach town in Liguria, the Italian Riviera