allthingsitalian

Spending either a semester or a year as a student in Italy ranks as one of the best ways to know the country and its people better.

Most tourists from the United States fall in love with Italy. They return home raving about the food, the vino, the art, the people. In short, all things Italian become their favorites.

Imagine how much more satisfying it would be to enjoy all things Italian for longer than say the usual 2- or 3-week vacation. As a student, preferably studying in an academic program for academic credit, a person has chance to explore more of the country than any typical tourist gets to do.

Yes…..most tourists visit “the biggies”–Rome, Florence, and Venice. But….there’s much more to Italy than those three cities. As a student, living in the country for an extended period of time, it’s possible to visit, for example, all the hill towns throughout Tuscany. Places such as San Gimignano (with its famous bell towers), Siena (known for its famous horse race right in the heart of town), Lucca, Arezzo, and, of course, Assisi hold their own charms and appeal. Exploring them can be a very satisfying experience.

Consequently, anyone who’s about to participate in a study abroad program should consider doing it in Italy. There’s no better way to understand and appreciate what the Italians call “la dolce vita.”

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