Undergraduate Program
Summer School in Italy
All information here applies to the Summer 2013 program, based on the 2012 costs.
This is a highly popular Study Abroad program from Miami University’s College of Arts and Science, and it is open to students from all majors and all colleges at the University. You will earn 6 important Miami Plan credits by taking 2 classes over a five-week period in Florence, Italy. You pay summer school tuition directly to Miami for Miami credits. Students from other schools are welcome to apply, and find it easy to transfer all credits back to their home universities.
It is a special and unique experience. Over twenty years many hundreds of students have found this the time of their life: they study hard in a serious academic environment that emphasizes cultural knowledge and growth. After classes are over, they have weekends free for travel, they get important MU requirements done (including 2/3 of a Thematic Sequence), they live in beautiful accommodations in the heart of Florence, they come to know Italy and as much of Europe as they wish, and they make lifetime friends with a group of students, all majors and all backgrounds. Classes are taught in English and many students take a basic Italian class before going, but this is optional. A knowledge of Spanish (or French) is also helpful if you have it.
- Students live in deluxe double or triple rooms, fully furnished, with refrigerator and bath.
- Easy walking distance to train station.
- Flights to and from Florence included from Cincinnati and Chicago airports to be arranged your own.
- Informational meetings fall and spring
Three dinners per week are included in the price; other meals are the student’s responsibility. The best and most genuine Italian food is just minutes from your door. Rooms come with refrigerators and there is a microwave available, so those on a budget can eat quite thriftily.
Coursework:
Everyone takes both:
- English 350C: The Art Film (3 credits)
- English 251: European Literature (3 credits)
Costs:
- $8,500/Ohio Resident*
- $10,500/Non-Resident*
*ESTIMATED TOTAL based on 2012 pricing includes tuition (6 credits), fees, room/board, books, weekend trip to Venice, and personals. Prices are subject to change due to the constantly fluctuating exchange rate between the dollar and the euro.
Note that your final figures largely depend on how many trips you take on your weekends, and your personal levels of spending in general. Students are encouraged to budget wisely. Most work for the first half of the summer since the program begins at the end of June.
As is the case with regular summer courses taken at Oxford, most financial aid does not apply in summer since you are expected to use it in fall or spring semesters. If any is left over from the regular year, it might be available. Most students pay for the summer from their own resources; some federal help is available, and some students take loans according to need.
An experience like this, spending five weeksin Europe and earning 6 credits, is bound to cost something. For most people it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience not to be missed.
Payment:
The following payments (checks made payable to Miami University) are due:
- $300 deposit is due to the Director at a date to be announced, before Thanksgiving recess. There will be several informational meetings in October and November. You will have the chance to open an online application after you leave your name and contact information with the Director. Students are expected to come into the Program with a superior academic record and no disciplinary violations. They will be asked to write briefly an explanation of what they hope to gain from being a participant. There are no class pre-requisites, so leaving your name early on and announcing an intention to apply is an important step to holding a place when the final list of participants will be drawn up.
- Payment for room/board is due directly after spring break (March 2013). That is the only money which is due after the deposit. If you have given a deposit, you should be sure you intend to participate. The room/board and transportation payments make your admission official.
Please note that tuition is paid at the Lifelong Learning office in McGuffey 127. It cannot be put on the Bursar Bill at CAB but is paid separately by you by June 1. Your fixed costs are the deposit, the tuition for 6 credits depending if you are an Ohio resident or not, and room/board. You arrange your own flights and can find the best prices on line, at travel agents, or use frequent flyer miles if you have them.
Personal spending money for travel, meals (besides the three weekly dinners), and incidentals is INCLUDED IN THE ABOVE TOTALS of $8.5k and $10.5k. These are estimates based on what the last group of students have said they spent.
For more information please contact:
Dr. Mark Bernheim
English Department, 321 Bachelor Hall
e-mail: bernhema@muohio.edu
office: 513-529-5260
We are listing several links for you to visit in order to view photos of some of the highpoints of Summer 2009-2012.
I hope you enjoy the slideshows, videos and blogs!
- “Your Day in Florence” — a walking tour video. Watch it!
- Full-Color Posters of Florence Summer Group 2013. Have a look! (PDF)
- Photos of 2011 trip (Photobucket)
- Photos on flickr
- Slideshow on YouTube—Part 1
- Slideshow on YouTube—Part 2
- Student-produced video about the program
I think you’ll find ample evidence what a special experience this Florence Summer Workshop is. For more information and the opportunity to discuss your interest and possible application, contact Dr. Bernheim to schedule an appointment.
It is of course basically an academic adventure requiring you to work hard as you would in any Miami class. You also have the life-shaping memories of living in Italy and exploring the world around it on your own and with friends.
You and your families should visit this site and our many links. Picture yourself having the great fun and experiences you can see alumni of the program having, and then take whatever steps you need to become part of it yourselves.
Your first step, remember, is to contact the Director and talk about it so your questions can be addressed. At that point the procedures become clearer and you can discuss it with your families and friends. You can then follow the steps over the next months to prepare for the Summer 2013 Florence workshop (with trip to Venice included).
Thanks for your interest. You will have the chance at meetings to speak with alumni of past summers and hear from them too what makes this so unique. Consider becoming a part of it!