Semester study abroad program in Sicily
Taormina is an ideal location to study abroad for a semester or yearlong program for studens interested in total immersion into the Italian culture and language. A quaint medieval city, Taormina’s charm captivates students as they find themselves welcomed into the everyday life of this vibrant community. Host families extend learning during relaxed dinner time conversations over traditional Sicilian meals.
In Taormina, students enrolled in semester study abroad programs are surrounded by architecture. Simply meandering through Taormina’s winding, hilly streets, students uncover a classroom of history, gazing at buildings boasting Greek, Roman, Arabic, Byzantine, French and Spanish roots. Semester study abroad students attend classes in a historical 19th century villa where classes are limited to a maximum of ten students. The exceptionally low teacher-to-student ratio provides each student with individual attention, accelerating Italian language acquisition and promoting lively discussion in Italian studies courses. International students from numerous countries enroll in Babilonia’s courses, fostering a classroom dynamic conducive to engaging and challenging discussions. Social activities abound in Taormina – night clubs, beaches, hiking, concerts, and art exhibits are all available. Public transportation to take advantage of weekend travel is accessible from Taormina’s bus terminal or train station. The Fontanarossa Airport in Catania has daily flights to the major mainland cities in Italy along with flights to the major cities throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Study Abroad in Italy – Taormina, Sicily Semester programs
Table of Contents
Dates
Summer Semester 2023
- May 28 to Aug 19 (12 week/ 12 credit program)
- May 14 to Aug 26 (15 week/15 credit program)
Fall Semester 2023
- Aug 20 to Nov 11(12 week/ 12 credit program)
- Aug 6 to Nov 4 (15 week/15 credit program)
Spring Semester 2024
- March 3 to May 25(12 week/ 12 credit program)
- March 3 to June 15(15 week/15 credit program)
Summer Semester 2024
- May 26 to Aug 17(12 week/ 12 credit program)
- May 12 to Aug 24(15 week/15 credit program)
Fall Semester 2024
- Aug 18 to Nov 9(12 week/ 12 credit program)
- Aug 4 to Nov 18(15 week/15 credit program)
Spring Semester 2025
- March 2 to May 24 (12 week/ 12 credit program)
- March 2 to June 14 (15 week/15 credit program)
Price
- Cost of Study Abroad Semester in Italy Program for 12 week program: 11,450 €uro (12 credits)
- Cost of Study Abroad Semester in Italy Program for 15 week program: 14,560 €uro (15 credits)
Note: Airfare not included.
STUDY WITH A BUDDY DISCOUNT
Enroll with a friend and share a room and each receives a 1000 €uro Discount
More info
Students may adjust start and end dates of semester programs to accommodate academic and athletic schedules at their home universities.
Requests should be made when filing application.
Application deadlines
- Spring Semester: November 1
- Summer Semester: March 1
- Fall Semester: July 1
Late applications accepted on a space available basis.
Study Abroad Semester Programs at the BABILONIA – Center for Italian Language and Culture include:
- Roundtrip transportation from and to Catania’s Fontanarossa Airport
- Host family single room accommodations with breakfast and dinner
- Pre-Departure Orientation
- Orientation in Taormina
- First day package (2 ring binder, notepad, pen)
- Student discount card for local businesses
- Two full day excursions (student can select any two in Babilonia program)
- Optional additional full day excursions (extra fee)
- Guided tour of Taormina
- Textbooks
- Free extra curricular activities (movies, seminars, social activities in Italian)
- Free internet available on 4 PC’s (Monday to Friday 8:30 – 5:00 at school)
- Free wireless connection (Monday to Friday 8:30 – 5:00 at school)
- Minimum 2 language courses required
Courses Available:
- from ITA to ITA 302:Italian language course
- INTN 500 Internship (3 credits)
- INTN 501 Internship (6 credits)
- LI 421 Sicilian Writers in the Italian Literature: from Pirandello to Camilleri (taught in English)
- LI 422 Gli scrittori siciliani nella letteratura italiana: da Pirandello a Camilleri (taught in Italian)
- LI 431 Camilleri’s Commissario Montalbano: Detective Stories in Modern Sicily (taught in English)
- LI 432 Commissario Montalbano di Camilleri: gialli nella Sicilia moderna (taught in Italian)
- LI 443 Cinema of the Mediterranean Through the Italian Lens (taught in English)
- HI 401 History of Mediterranean Civilizations in Sicily (taught in English)
- HI 402 Storia della civiltà del Mediterraneo in Sicilia (taught in Italian)
- FA 411 Roots of Italy: Art History of Sicily (taught in English)
- FA 412 Le radici d’Italia: storia dell’arte in Sicilia (taught in Italian)
- ITC 403 Many Manifestations of Italian Culture (combines language study in Italian and cultural lectures in English)
- POL 401/ HI 401 Mafia: a Regional, National or Global issue? (taught in English)
- POL 402/ HI 402 Mafia: una questione regionale, nazionale o globale? (taught in Italian)
- ARCH 301 Archaeology: Methodologies and Discoveries in Eastern Sicily (taught in English)
- ARCH 301 Archaelogy: Methodologies and Discoveries in Eastern Sicily (taught in Italian)
- ARCH 501 The Archaelogical Evolution of Pottery from Prehistory to Greek Colonization (taught in English)
- GEO 411 Geology of the Mediterranean and Volcanoes of Sicily (taught in English)
- GEO 412 Geologia del Mediterraneo e dei vulcani di Sicilia (taught in Italian)