WHY THIS PROGRAM?
THE TOUR WOW FACTORS
• SEE ALL OF ITALY: There is no program like it
• TRUE TASTE OF ITALY: Learn 3 distinct cultures
• ENGLISH LANGUAGE: Courses taught in English
THE ATHENA TOUCH
What makes this Athena?
• SMALL-SIZE: Typically less than 15 students
• CONCEPT: Unique historical journey through Italy
• ACADEMICS: Quality and personal
ACADEMICS
ACADEMICS on the TOUR
WHY WE PARTNER WITH LDM:
LdM was the first school we partnered with because of our shared passion for individualized education and study abroad. LdM’s Tour of Italy is one of the most unique program options out there and we are proud to have a partner with such incredible vision.
HISTORY:
Founded in 1973 in Florence, LdM has long been recognized as a top academic institution in Italy. In the late 2000s, LdM expanded its offerings, and the Tour of Italy program began.
EXPERIENCE:
In this carefully developed course model, you will get acquainted with three distinct Italian cultures both in and out of the classroom.
COURSES
Courses have the following % breakdown:
| COURSES | General % Offered |
|---|---|
HUMANITIES | 50% |
ARTS | 25% |
SOCIAL SCIENCES | 15% |
BUSINESS | 10% |
TUSCANIA
Mei Gontran
ROME
Barbara Ulini
FLORENCE
Serena Malevolti
”All of my teachers & advisors at all LdM locations were absolutely outstanding. I stay in
touch with a few of them. These were people who really helped me unlock the culture.”
SYDNEY MALTESE
Marietta College
STUDENT LIFE
FIELD TRIPS & EXCURSIONS
On this incredible semester program, you will spend one month in three amazingly different locations. In your spare time in each city, make sure to seize all that each location has to offer. In Tuscania, immerse yourself in the classic Italian countryside & all of its untouched culture. In Rome, get your bucket list ready as you make your way through the bustling Italian capital. In Florence, learn to live like an Italian as you walk the streets where numerous artisan masters have walked before you.
HIGHLIGHT: True Taste of Italy
When most people think of Italy, there’s an assumption that it’s all the same. This program gives you the true taste of Italy, from small town, to big city and in between.
You will understand how true Italians live in each unique Italian culture.
HOUSING
• The program package includes housing in double-occupancy rooms in a shared apartment; single rooms are available upon request for an additional fee (limited availability and cannot be guaranteed).
• Apartments are fully furnished and equipped, complete with a living area, 2 to 3 bedrooms, bathroom and kitchen. On average there is 1 bathroom for every 4 students.
• All housing options are within a 5-30 minute walk, bus ride or metro ride to the campus, depending on the location.
FAQS
If I'm at a new location each month, how do the courses work?
You will be taking new courses at each location. It’s similar to having back-to-back-to-back month-long terms!
You will have 2 courses in Tuscania (month 1), 2 different courses in Rome (month 2) and 1 final course in Florence for the last month.
How many students are on the program?
A typical program will have anywhere from 8-30 students on the program. This makes for an incredibly personal and high-quality study abroad experience, things we at Athena pride ourselves on. Students on the Tour will also have the opportunity to meet the other students that are studying a full semester at each individual campus stop on the Tour.
What is the food like?
Delicious and fresh! There are plenty of the traditional pasta, pizza and classic Italian dishes. You will be able to find alternatives as well, especially in Rome.
The desserts, namely the gelato, are very common as well. Very tasty, too!
Vegetarians: Athena’s resident vegetarian gives Italy an 8 out of 10 for being vegetarian friendly!
Can I request to room with my friend?
Yes! You can certainly request who you would like to have as your roommate. This is done after you are accepted into the program; you will note this in your housing request forms.
How do I get to Tuscania to start the program?
You will fly into Rome, Italy, which is about an hour and 20 minutes from Tuscania. From there, you will travel to Tuscania via pre-arranged group airport pickup.
Do you provide flights?
We have partnered with STA Travel, an incredible student-focused travel agency. The good people there will be able to help all Athena students arrange flights overseas.
STUDENT BLOGS
THE CITY
CITY HIGHLIGHTS
What’s the Tour of Italy Like?
On the Tour of Italy program, you will visit three distinct Italian cultures, so it’s a little difficult to sum the country up in one generalized description. But the common themes throughout each location are: strong sense of community, strong historical ties and great food!
You will start off as part of the small town Tuscania, which gives a rich feel of rural Italy. Then, you will stay for a month in Rome, Italy’s largest and most historical city. Finally, you will end your semester in Florence; each of these medium-sized cities have a world-renowned charm.
PROGRAM PERKS: Take a historical journey through this breathtaking country: from Ancient to Classical to Renaissance Italy, this program gives you a taste of it all.
WEATHER
- LONG SUMMERS: Generally, summer lasts about 6 months, from May to October. In July and August, the weather is hot and humid with little rainfall.
- MILD WINTERS: The average high temperature in January is about 49°F, but in hot periods it can be higher, while subzero lows are not uncommon.
- WARMEST MONTH: The warmest month is August, with an average temperature range of 59-84 °F.
- COLDEST MONTH: The coldest month is January, with an average temperature range of 33-49 °F.
MAP
MORE INFO
Contact Information:
For more info, please contact:
Enrollment questions
Malgorzata Stephan – malgorzata.stepien@lorenzodemedici.it
Housing questions
Martina Fulico – martina.fulico@lorenzodemedici.it
Advisor
Simona Cucchi – simona.cucchi@lorenzodemedici.it
