Bologna, Italy
Location and Facilities:
Università di Bologna
Dipartimento Amministrativo Relazioni Internazionali
Linea di Attività Mobilità Studentesca in Uscita
via Zamboni, 33
40126, Bologna
ITALY
The City:
Considered by Italians themselves to be "Italy's most livable city," Bologna makes for a wonderful place to study abroad in Italy. Famous for its beautiful portici or arcades, many dating back to the 12th century, Bologna boasts one of the best preserved and maintained historic city centers in all of Italy. The magnificent Piazza Maggiore and the famous two leaning towers (Torre degli Asinelli and Torre della Garisenda) form the city's core. In addition, there are many landmark churches to explore-to name only a few, Basilica di San Petronio is Italy's fifth largest church; St. Dominick himself is buried in the exquisite San Domenico, where you'll find a small, but marvelous statue carved by the 18-year old Michelangelo; and part of San Stefano, with its remarkable veined alabaster windows, has its foundations in the 5th century-and of course there are countless pallazzi and wonderful museums to visit. Renown for its art and architecture, history and cuisine (being the self-proclaimed "culinary capital of Italy"), Bologna also has a long-standing reputation as a center of education. Indeed, the city's nickname--"la saggia e la grassa" or "the wise and the fat"-humorously combines this joint heritage. Dubbed even earlier "Bononia Culta" by the Roman poet Martial, Bologna was, along with Paris, the most important European center of learning in the Middle Ages and lays claim to having the oldest university (ca. 1088) in the Western world-the Università degli Studi di Bologna (or Unibo, as it is affectionately known). These traditions live on today in a vital and flourishing university of which Umberto Ecco is perhaps the most famous of contemporary professors. Former Prime Minister Romano Prodi is also a professor and resident of Bologna. The beautiful university is situated near the heart of the city and is home to one of Bologna's most lively neighborhoods. Somewhat off the normal tourist corridor of Milan, Florence, Rome, and Naples, Bologna has noticeably fewer tourists than these cities-one hears much less English and locals are eager to speak Italian with those foreigners who make an effort to do so.
Academic Program:
Our program in Bologna features outstanding language support. Prior to beginning their classes at Unibo, Holy Cross students receive up to four weeks of intensive language training and cultural orientation at Cultura Italiana, Bologna's oldest and premier language school, located in the centro storico or historic city center. Once classes at Unibo commence, students continue, throughout the academic year, to take an advanced course in Italian language and culture at Cultura Italiana. Moreover, for every class Holy Cross students attend at Unibo, they receive a personal tutor who is either a professor or graduate assistant in the field. Students meet with their tutors on a weekly basis to address both linguistic and conceptual issues that arise in their courses. This combination of a) intensive, pre-university language training, b) ongoing language and cultural instruction throughout the academic year, and c) individual tutoring for each Unibo class gives Holy Cross students the support they need to succeed in the classroom alongside native-speakers-indeed, to become near-native speakers themselves. Unibo is the second largest and one of the most preeminent universities in Italy. It possesses 17 faculties and over 135 departments.
Course Load:
The pre-university course is graded and appears on student transcripts as an overload. Students must take a minimum of 35 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) credits at Unibo and two courses (one per semester) at Cultura Italiana.
Courses taken at Università di Bologna for Holy Cross credit (PDF)
Independent Cultural Immersion Project (ICIP):
In addition to their course work at Unibo and Cultura Italiana, students must successfully complete an Independent Cultural Immersion Project (ICIP). The project director will help the students in focusing the subject and in finding resources and contacts.
Living Arrangements:
Holy Cross students are placed in families in Bologna within walking or short commuting (bus) distance from the University. Students receive dinner with their family during the week and may use the kitchen at the home-stay.
On-Site Staff:
Holy Cross's Program Director at Bologna, Dr. Alessandra di Luzio, has taught in the English department at Unibo. She serves as academic advisor for Holy Cross students. In addition, she arranges cultural outings in and around Bologna. She has been with our program from the onset.
Visas:
Students are required to have a visa to study in Italy. The Office of Study Abroad has arranged to procure your visa for you from the Italian Consulate, but you will need to provide Professor Smith in the Office of Study Abroad with the following information: a) completed Schengen Visa Application, b) one recent passport size photograph, c) passport valid six months after your actual return date from Italy, d) notarized affidavit of support e) notarized affidavit of insurance, f) round-trip flight itinerary.
Study Abroad Contact:
Christopher Van Booven - Assistant Director
Email: cvanboov@holycross.edu
Phone: 508-793-2755
Office: Smith 213