Study abroad is back!

“To study abroad is to immerse oneself in another culture and develop an appreciation for the way others live,” said Kristi Eastin, Professor of Classics and Humanities, Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures (MCLL).

The MCLL department is working with the study abroad office to arrange exciting courses that are academically worthwhile, economically feasible, and degree-enhancing while giving students a life-changing educational experience. The programs assist students in acquiring the intercultural competence and practical leadership abilities required for success in our Central Valley community’s diversity.

Some great study abroad options are coming this year in Spain, Italy and Rome, with more in the works. Every CSU student is eligible for a $1,000 scholarship, and more scholarship opportunities may be available.

Dr. María Dolores Morillo, associate professor of Spanish, is leading the program to Seville, Spain, from June 5-26, 2023, which includes visits to Madrid, Granada and Córdoba. The course is titled “SPAN 148T The Cultural and Literary Legacy of Southern Spain,” an Upper Division course (3 units) that counts as a literature elective for Spanish majors, minors and Graduate students. Students will have the opportunity to see and experience the material studied in the class.

“I am excited for my students to have the opportunity to study and further their education while getting to visit three of the most beautiful and ancient cities in Spain, which is an amazing opportunity that I am very honored and excited to embark on alongside them,” Morillo said.

The course requires a certain level of Spanish proficiency. The estimated cost without airfare is $3,064. Interested students should contact Morillo at mdmorillo@mail.fresnostate.edu with any questions and when informational sessions will be held.

Spanish professor Isolina Sands is leading the program in Málaga, Spain in the summer of 2023.

“I always love the reactions of the students to the wonderful experiences that await them in Spain,” said Sands.

The program begins on May 21 and ends June 10. The itinerary includes morning Spanish classes (appropriate level of each student), local attractions and activities and time enjoying nearby beaches along the Mediterranean coast. There will be two-weekend day trips too. One to Granada to see Alhambra and other sites and another to the resort town of Nerja.

The program’s total cost is around $2,365 plus airfare, estimated at $1,300. Please contact Sands at isands@csufresno.edu for more information.

The Italian study abroad program is led by Dr. Andrea Polegato, Assistant Professor in Italian Studies at MCLL. The program has two options for students, one in Florence and the second in Salerno.

The Florence program runs from July 3-14. The course, predominantly taught in English, has no prerequisites and zero-cost material course. This multidisciplinary course will cover the most prominent elements of Italian culture and economics, including food culture, art, music, fashion, hospitality, and agriculture.

The estimated program cost is about $4,365, which includes three units and other academic fees, insurance, housing, some meals and guided tours. Airfare is not included.

The Salerno program will run July 16- 29. There is no cost for course materials, and it requires no prior knowledge of Italian.

“This program offers not only immersion in the Italian language through coursework but also an introduction to the warm culture of Italy through exciting group activities, excursions, and field trips,” said Polegato in his presentation. “Students will not only improve their knowledge about the Italian language and culture but also gain intercultural competence.”

The estimated program cost is about $3,745, which includes three units and other academic fees, insurance, housing, some meals, and guided tours. Airfare is not included. Additional scholarships are available through the Italian Study program. Contact Polegato at apolegato@mail.fresnostate.edu for more information.

Dr. Eastin will facilitate the Roman study abroad program in the summer of 2023. The two-week study abroad trip to Rome runs from May 23 to June 9, and the course fulfills the upper-division GE IC requirement (HUM 110: The Humanities of Republican and Imperial Rome).

“Our classroom is the city of Rome—museums, archeological sites, cathedrals and churches and all of the highlights of the Renaissance and the Baroque that the city has to offer,” said Eastin.

This trip also includes excursions to Naples, the ancient city of Pompeii; the ancient Greek temples at Paestum, Florence, Siena and the medieval city of San Gimignano.

The estimated cost is $5,600. This includes the university registration fee, airfare, housing, entrance tickets to all sites and museums, transportation to all sites and museums, and a daily buffet breakfast and six dinners. Additional scholarships are also available to students who are enrolled in Latin and Ancient Greek. Contact Eastin at keastin@csufresno.edu for more information.

Study abroad programs bring history and the present together in a distinct lived experience that enhances the educational experience for our students. With a greater understanding of the world and acceptance of others, students in study abroad programs see their horizons widened far beyond what they thought possible. They find their inspiration for life.