Università del Salento, Lecce, Italy May 6-June 4, 2010
TOTAL IMMERSION LANGUAGE STUDIES
Salento University, Italy, through the Center for Italian Studies in Tallahassee, will sponsor a total immersion language study program in the month of May 2010. Upon arrival in Lecce, students will pledge to speak only Italian for the whole period of residence. The total immersion method is an exciting and remarkably quick way to acquire a foreign language. It is through the daily activities and interactions with Italians in the beautiful historical baroque city of Lecce that you will literally absorb the language and culture and make it your own. Why choose Lecce when there are so many other famous and beautiful places to study? Because in Lecce, Salento University has Italy’s best “Total Immersion Program” with an expert team of dedicated teachers, assistants and collaborators; because Lecce has the beauty, charm and excitement of places like Rome, Assisi and Florence, but with one critically important difference---virtually no American tourists. So you are not tempted to lapse into communicating with Italians in your own native language, but rather in theirs! Come join us!
COURSES OFFERED The program offers language courses at elementary, intermediate and advanced levels
LIVING ARRANGEMENTS Program participants may choose housing as follows: with families who also provide for two meals a day, apartments with Italian or non-American roommates (with meal vouchers for the student cafeteria).
EXCURSIONS At least two trips to regional landmarks such as Matera, Porto Cesareo, Gallipoli, or Oria, as organized by SalentoUniversity.
PROGRAM COST The program cost includes tuition at the Universita’ del Salento, lodging as cited above, excursions and afternoon art/cooking/crafts classes taught by local artisans, lodging during our 3 night visit to Rome, travel and health insurance for the duration of our Study Program, and a guided tour of the Vatican.
Application and a $2,000 deposit are required. All payments should be addressed and sent to The Center for Italian Studies 808 W.St. Augustine, Tallahassee FL 32304. For full disclosure please read our Terms and Conditions.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Scholarships are available from the Center for Italian Studies and SalentoUniversity. Program and scholarship applications may be requested on the CIS web site.
TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS
Students are responsible for their own travel to and from Italy. More details will be made available at our upcoming meetings. For more information contact the program adviser Prof. Wm Leparulo DIF 357B. Phone: 251-7000. FAX: 656-0531.weleparulo@fsu.edu
"A charming and enchanting city in the South, my study abroad experience in Lecce was most memorable. Living with a host family gave me the opportunity to be completely immersed in every aspect of the Italian culture. My family was warm and welcoming and I was included in every aspect of their daily life. Lecce, the city, was beautiful and full of culture. Everyday we hung out with local friends in the piazza and were constantly furthering our Italian in and out of the classroom. I am very pleased and honored to have participated in the Lecce program."
~Ashley Hickman, Lecce 2009~
alh07e@fsu.edu
“Lecce is a beautiful place to visit and this program is an amazing learning experience!I absolutely loved having the opportunity to stay in Italy while learning the language and the culture. I recommend this program to any student at any level of study, I went after only taking the introductory course and I had a blast. The people there are more than willing to assist you in learning and they also take an interest in our culture. It's a great cultural exchange and eye-opener to the world!”
"I recently returned from Lecce after spending one semester studying at the university there. It has been one of the most meaningful and fruitful experiences for me, both personally and academically. After getting my B.A. in Theater in the Fall of ‘08 with a minor in Italian, I had decided to apply for the Master’s Program in Italian Studies at FSU. However not being an Italian major made this very challenging. Professor Leparulo suggested I apply after participating in a deep immersion program at the University in Lecce. It turned out to be the best thing I could ever have done. I learned a ton, met wonderful friends, and ended up being accepted to the FSU Master’s Program with a scholarship. I definitely recommend the Lecce program!"
"Lecce is really an interesting and pretty town! It feels so comfy and familiar. The residents are all friendly and hospitable. My family made me so welcome and I've loved staying with them. At the school, all the teachers are excellent. They explain everything so clearly. In Lecce there is always something different to do. I recommend Paper Mache’ and the Italian Cuisine in the afternoon. It was a lot of fun! Viva Lecce!" ~Denise Romano, Lecce 2006~
"My name is Steve Tate. I took my first Italian class with Professor Leparulo and quickly became enthused about the possibility of continuing my Italian studies through programs at the University of Lecce. While I was somewhat apprehensive upon arriving, I was made to feel very much at home with my Italian family: a university professor, his wife, also a teacher, and their two young adult children. They immediately took my under their wing and taught me “the Italian way” to socialize and blend into daily life there in beautiful Baroque Lecce. While sophisticated in many ways, Lecce is a comparatively small town, compared to places like Rome or even Florence, and so the hospitality of the people is genuine and impressive. I enjoyed every new experience---everything from the parties with my family and new friends, the games, the love of “calcio” and the delectable food. It started out to be a once in a lifetime adventure---and it was. But it has become a part of who I am and has truly made my life richer. I am very happy and grateful to have participated in the Lecce program.
~Steve Tate, Lecce 2004, 2005~
"I am a bit older than the other students, But Lecce made me feel young. The Italian stay in Lecce exceeded all my expectations, certainly academically as well as in every other way. There was so much to enjoy - the excellence of teaching, the beauty of the countryside as well as the baroque art, the company of foreign students, the personal attention, and, last but not least, living with my delightful new ‘Italian family!"
"This is my second experience in Lecce and these four weeks seem to have flown by! I was in the advanced class. We were a mixed group, with Americans, French, Austrians, Swedes, etc. and our wonderful teacher guided us though the "studio ragionato" of the language in order for us to be able to express ourselves more fluently. The days have been full, busy, interesting and full of life. In the Italian history course our teacher was so expressive and really made us "live" the life of hundreds of years ago - it was like seeing the centuries pass by in a film." ~Barbara Clements~
"A school for foreigners in Lecce is an excellent idea! The combination of language, culture and handicrafts is wonderful and the people of Lecce are kind and hospitable. I have been here for a month, a month that has been an unforgettable experience. I have learned too much to even list, both from my teachers and my Italian friends."
~Stuart Miller, Lecce 2004~
"I was persuaded to come here by my Italian literature professor in Germany who told me that Lecce is the best school in Italy. I enrolled for a two month course and what a wonderful surprise! I had not expected such a pleasant town. Today I have lots of friends in town: the photographer, the greengrocer, the hairdresser and many others - not forgetting all my friends at school, of course, who come from all over the world." ~Aileen Wehmer, Lecce, 2004 ~
"Lecce has opened a window for me into the wonderful world of the Italian language and culture - a window that I want to leave open in the future!. It seems impossible that these four weeks have passed so quickly. There has been so much to do and study. My teacher was the best - always good humored and full of energy - I couldn't wait for the morning lessons!"
"Here in Lecce I have had the opportunity of seeing how one lives in a small Italian town. Lecce is a town with a big heart, the community is full of life. The teachers, the shopkeepers and the young people are always willing to talk, to help and to laugh. They are happy to make friends with us students. At the school the classes are small, cordial and lively. One learns a lot, both at school and in one's free time. Culture, entertainment and "allegria" are never lacking!" ~Maria J. Barile, Lecce 2003~
The Center for Italian Studies is located at 808 W. St. Augustine, Tallahassee FL 32304 | Phone: 850-251-7000 | Fax: 850-656-0531 |
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