Italy

In partnership with Parkland College, Heartland Community College is proud to offer a summer semester in Tuscania, italy. 

As a place that has inspired famous artists for centuries, Tuscania has developed a reputation as a center for new artistic forms of expression. This hilltop town is located on the border of the Tuscany and Lazio regions of central Italy, south of Florence and close to Rome. 

Program Description:

The school has recently been remodeled to provide a range of student facilities, including light-filled studios and classrooms as well as reading rooms, an exhibition space, a library, and a computer room. The elegantly modern building structure is an architectural delight, contrasting beautifully with the medieval stone walls into which it is integrated.

Integration into the community is fundamental to the program and, in particular, to the Italian language courses, which encourages students to create real relationships in a cultural context and language that is different from their own. Accordingly, the Tuscania program actively uses the sites and monuments of the town, such as the Etruscan Museum and churches of Santa Maria Maggiore and San Pietro, as an extension of the campus. Such community inclusion makes the perfect setting for friendly and frequent interaction with local Italians. 

At Tuscania, the curriculum has been designed to promote the historical, artistic and cultural qualities that make this part of Italy unique. Thus, courses in local History and the Culinary Arts, which reflect Tuscania’s connection to the agricultural cycles and traditions of the area are essential components of the program experience. 

About Tuscania:

As a place that has inspired famous artists for centuries, Tuscania has developed a reputation as a center for new artistic forms of expression; filmmakers such as Pier Paolo Pasolini, Orson Welles and Franco Zeffirelli have all chosen it for their films. This hilltop town is located on the border of the Tuscany and Lazio regions of central Italy, in the breathtaking countryside of the southern Maremma.

The surrounding countryside forms part of a nationally protected nature reserve and has one of the richest collections of archaeological remains in Italy. The location of Tuscania is convenient for day trips to the beach, volcanic lakes and hot springs, as well as for visits to the nearby towns of Viterbo and Tarquinia, Rome, Florence, Siena, Pisa and Assisi.

Academics:

Students enroll in two courses for 6-7 credits. No previous Italian is required.

Room and Board:

Students will live in an apartment, in a single or double room, within walking distance of the campus. Apartments are fully furnished and come equipped with bed linen, towels, pots and pans, kitchen utensils, basic appliances, washing machine, TV, and Wi-Fi.

Activities:

Outside of class time, students have time to relax, while also exploring and experiencing a new country, a new culture and traditions. Tuscania is the perfect site to enjoy the Italian countryside and nature. There are various horse riding and walking tours in the surrounding areas, as well as an ancient archaeological park, an Etruscan necropolis containing many tombs dating from the 6th to the 1st century BC, and many medieval churches.

Tuscania offers a balanced combination of FREE activities throughout the week such as:

• yoga (Hatha) and other holistic practices
• nature friendly activities
• herb laboratories
• ayurvedic cuisine workshop
• sensorial paths
• delectable food trails (to take advantage of local and traditional dishes)
• swimming in a natural hot spring
• jogging or hiking in the gorgeous woods of the Tuscia region

On Fridays, Tuscania also organizes FREE historical and cultural tours (day trips) to interesting Mediterranean towns such as:

• the charming medieval walled town of Viterbo
• the fascinating Bolsena Lake (the biggest volcanic lake in Europe)
• the enchanted borough of Civita di Bagnoregio, known as “dying village”, where time seems to have stopped
• the untouched historical town of Orvieto, where you can explore the underground caves and see a magnificent cathedral
• the peaceful Villa Lante, with one of the most beautiful Italian Renaissance Gardens
• a seaside or beach day in Tarquinia and Montalto (Tyrrhenian sea)

The location of Tuscania is also convenient for visits to Rome, Florence, Siena, Pisa, Assisi and Perugia which are all accessible by train. 

Eligibility:

• 18 years or older
• 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale
• Completion of at least 12 hours of college-level coursework by the time of departure
• Completion of one college writing course (commonly known as English Composition I and/or II, or its equivalent) with grade of B or better, by the time of departure

Application Deadlines:

• February 15 (late applicants accepted until March 15 space permitting)

How to Apply:

To apply, please contact Zach Petrea, the Study Abroad Coordinator at 309-268-8613 or zach.petrea@heartland.edu